John Key's day in the Bay

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Prime Minister John Key is confident the Government is honouring all promises to Tauranga City and the Port of Tauranga is successful enough not to need a national port strategy.

The Prime Minister is on a day-long visit to the region where he will visit organisations including Tui Garden Supplies, Freedom Villages and Golden Sands School –in what is likely to be his last visit to the city ahead of September's election.

Prime Minister John Key speaks with SunLive outside Tauranga Airport today.

Speaking to SunLive at Tauranga Airport, John Key says calls for an apology from Tauranga Independent MP Brendan Horan are unwarranted as the Government has poured millions of dollars into national roading projects.

The Independent Coalition candidate for the BOP called for an apology from the Prime Minister in Parliament yesterday for what he says is the government's failure to keep a 2008 promise to fund the four-laning of the central corridor.

'I mean we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars around the country. There will be more money spent over time and I'm pretty confident we are honouring our promises,” says the Prime Minister.

Speaking on Labour's Regional Development Policy, which if elected would include a national ports strategy, John Key says this is something not needed for the Port of Tauranga.

Labour leader David Cunliffe confirmed at the Local Government New Zealand conference this week that if elected the party would establish a $200million regional development fund. This would include working with stakeholders to develop a national ports strategy.

'There has been a number of reviews of ports around the country that's happened over the last decade,” says the Prime Minister.

'Tauranga the highest performing port in the country and is doing extremely well. And ultimately Tauranga is proving it can succeed with a good model and good people running it.”

The Prime Minister is officially opening Freedom Villages – a $46million lifestyle community village for residents over 50-years-old – this morning before visiting the Eastern Bay of Plenty this afternoon.

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3 comments

Welcome Bay underpass and four Laning

Posted on 25-07-2014 14:46 | By Watchdog

My understanding is that the underpass and the consequential four-laning of teh highway up to Cameron Road was all going to be funded by the Govt (i.e. NZTA). This city cannot afford to charge its ratepayers this money. And the Route K should also be paid for and taken over by the Govt. Maybe we should let the TCC go bankrupt and start digging the thing ourselves.


You first Watchdog

Posted on 25-07-2014 23:24 | By Murray.Guy

Unfortunately watchdog, for TCC to go bankrupt, you have to go bankrupt first. As for the Prime Minister's assertion he is keeping his promise, I assume he was laughing at the time as it is a 'sick joke' on this community. This region is NOT getting it's fair share of the roading budget and what is being spent includes tolls (like no other region) and crazy prioritisation! Our economy and port access is more dependant on the Northern Link before any TOLLED Eastern Arterial. None of us get it right all time, but most, when we fail, apologise, feel remorse. This Prime Minister lies about it! Beggars belief! The promise was NOT millions spent in our region, the promise was to COMPLETE the CENTRAL CORRIDOR!


Electioneering!!!!!

Posted on 26-07-2014 10:46 | By Sambo Returns

Mr Murray, or still a little sour at missing a local Council position, you and others had a few chances at solving this vexed issue, so maybe shoulder some blame.


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