6. Regional Economic Development—InfrastructureRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister for Economic DevelopmentRegional Economic Development—Infrastructure6. RON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he believe that infrastructure is vital for regional New Zealand's economic development?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister for Economic Development): Yes and this Government is making particularly significant investments in the areas of transport communications and tourism infrastructure.Ron Mark: If infrastructure is vital for regional economic development then where are the 10 bridges he promised in Northland over 2 years ago?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: This is so predictable from that member. They are being built. If he goes to Matakohe he will see the very strong progress on those two bridges and the other ones are in the process of consent and design. It was always a 6-year commitment that we made and we are making really good progress in Northland on those projects and many others.Ron Mark: When he announced the upgrade of 10 Northland bridges at a cost of $69 million did he anticipate spending over $62 million 2 years later with not a single bridge being built; or will he just admit that his by-election bribe was poorly planned?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: What that question makes quite clear is that the member knows full well that we are making progress because he has just talked about the $62 million of investment that we are doing. If he wants to go to Matakohe he will see the very significant works that are going on there and the progress that we are making.Ron Mark: Does he agree with the following statement by a National Party candidate: We have a number of challenges facing us but in my view core infrastructure needs additional investment."—sic—"Lack of infrastructure may have limited our economic development and we can do better."; if not why not?Mr SPEAKER: There are two questions there. The Minister can address one.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I do not know where that comment has come from but of course we could always make more progress. That is why we continue every year to invest more why over the last few years we have invested more in core infrastructure than any Government in history—Hon Members: In Auckland.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: —and why over the next 4 years we have got $32.5 billion invested—not just in Auckland; all over New Zealand. Whether it is Pūhoi to Warkworth whether it is the Matakohe bridges whether it is the Tauranga Eastern Link whether it is Mōtū Bridge whether it is the Kawarau Bridge whether it is Transmission Gully—I could list projects for the next 15 minutes. There is so much happening the length and breadth of New Zealand.Ron Mark: Will he admit that after 9 long years in Government—9 long years in Government—he has failed to deliver on its promises for better roading bridges and ultra-fast broadband in Northland given a National Party candidate has already admitted that Northland's infrastructure has limited economic development?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I appreciate that the member has got his cutesy little fairy tale story but in the real world the regions are booming. They have got growth like they have not seen in many parts of New Zealand for 20 or 30 years. They have got investment in transport like they have not seen before and in broadband and tourism infrastructure. They are growing strongly. They have got high employment and low unemployment and we are putting the platform of growth in that is really making a difference.Ron Mark: In respect of the Manawatū Gorge is he considering all options openly honestly and without prejudice—including option D the hybrid tunnel—given the needs of future generations and the increasing population; if not why not?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Yes we are investigating all options. As I have made clear in December this year we will have a preferred route for a greatly improved much more resilient road throughout the Manawatū. I think that is progress. It is moving with a pace that is very difficult to do but we are committed to doing it.Ron Mark: If regional infrastructure is so important and the gorge is still closed can he explain to the House why he and his Government have not picked up the maintenance tab on Ballance Valley Road the gorge road the Mangamaire bypass or the alternate roads at Woodville Woodlands and Oxford; why is that still being carried by the Tararua District Council?Mr SPEAKER: Again there are two questions. The Minister can address one.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Well I would have to check on those facts. I presume it is because quite simply they are local roads. But of course what the member knows but omits to say is that at Saddle Road $8 million of work has been taken over by the Government. Right now over the next period of months we are re-aligning it into Woodville at very significant cost and we are putting in a bypass at Ashhurst at very significant cost. It is many millions of dollars of improvement for that critical link and of course we are committed to what I think will be a very significant project—we cannot say the dollars right now but certainly in the hundreds of millions you would think—for the Manawatū Gorge. On top of that there are many other projects across the area whether it is Whirokino Trestle Bridge—a $70 million investment—or many others. We are investing like no other Government has in that region—in fact across regional New Zealand. I know that does not suit the fairy tale world that the member lives in but that is what is happening and New Zealanders know it.Clayton Mitchell: If what the Minister says is true why then has Tauranga City Council just approved the widening of 15th Avenue to fix a roading problem his Government committed to complete back in 2008—9 years ago?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I appreciate that Tauranga has had members who have been less effective in the past but right now it is having the highest spend per capita on roading in New Zealand. Whether it is Tauranga Eastern Link—a half a billion dollar road—whether it is Tauranga Northern Link whether it is Bayfair to Baypark it is hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment into a high-growth part of New Zealand. And sad to say for that member the voters well know it.Clayton Mitchell: If he is the local MP for Tauranga as well why has he not lifted a finger to complete this important piece of infrastructure specifically the four-laning of Turret Road and 15th Avenue including the bridge despite he and his Government promising to do so over 9 years ago?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: A bit like Mr Twyford the member is entitled to his own opinions but not his own facts. If he goes out there what he will see is the Hairini Link and underpass being built at some tens and tens and tens of millions of dollars. The member is just plain wrong and the voters of Tauranga know it."