The arrival in Wellington this morning of the first of the 48 new electric trains for the capital’s commuter services ushers in a new era.
It’s been another busy few weeks for Wellington rail upgrades as it gets ready for the new trains.

The Speaker of the House, Rodney’s National MP Lockwood Smith today urged the NZTA to fast track the planned Puhoi to Wellsford highway process.
And Rodney’s mayor insists there has to be access to and from the proposed motorway for the Waiwera, Puhoi and Mahurangi West communities.

There’s been another record month for use of public transport in Auckland.

To the end of June, there was a 4.3% increase in use of buses, trains and ferries compared to the previous 12 months  - 2.5m trips in that year.

A report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (left) today is calling for a more strategic approach to biofuels.

Dr Jan Wright says that if biofuels are to play a significant role in our energy future, then drop-in biodiesel made from wood looks like the way to go.

Wellington’s first Matangi electric train has arrived in New Zealand.

The ship carrying the first train arrived in Auckland this morning and was leaving at about 4.30pm, arriving in Wellington early Saturday morning.

After numerous calls for better communication surrounding Auckland rail journeys, I’m reluctant to discourage it.

But what is with the recent trend to provide on board commentaries about nothing?

The Christchurch court case involving a modified car and the death of a toddler in its path has prompted a call today for vehicle power restrictions for young drivers.

Construction of the Kopu Bridge replacement project near Thames reached a new milestone today. The final beam of the four steel bridge beams that connect the middle span of the new bridge was lifted into place.

Tauranga Eastern Link will definitely be tolled, allowing construction to begin on the road early next year – seven years earlier than would otherwise be the case.

The Tauranga Eastern Link is a 23km four lane highway from Te Maunga to Paengaroa that bypasses Te Puke.

The brooms are out at the new Onehunga train platforms this afternoon to sweep the paths.
While it’s planned to be done in the next week or so, signal and crossing work needs to be completed before the line can open mid-September.

Moves towards national integrated public transport ticketing have taken a big step forward today with the development of a key agreement between the NZTA and ticketing system providers.

The agreement paves the way for the creation of a set of national standards for integrated public transport ticketing.

BP stations throughout central London were prevented from selling petrol this morning by Greenpeace activists who shut them and put up signs which say: “Closed. Moving beyond petroleum”.

If ratepayers are to spend up to $20m saving Shed 10 on Queens Wharf, what about the criminally neglected 82-year-old Queen Street St James Cinema as well?

I couldn’t help thinking about it when I was in Wellington at the weekend and saw their restored St James Theatre (left).

NZTA has approved funding of projects related to the Waikato Expressway.
It’s the construction of two sections of Hamilton city’s Ring Road, which incorporates Wairere Drive

Labour’s leader today promised if government to change the law to guarantee Auckland local boards “real decision making powers.”
And on funding infrastructure projects , Mr Goff said local government bonds would allow local authorities to efficiently access capital markets and lower the cost of their funding.