After much ado over the past few weeks, finance minister Nicola Willis announced the National-coalition government’s 2024 Budget yesterday, 30 May. There’s no shortage of analysis and commentary out there already, so I’ll do my best to not tell you what you may already know – but it’s always worth adding to the conversation.

Obviously, we’re most interested in what’s in store for transport, and that would be $2.68 billion over four years across roads, rail, and public transport. The headline figure is an additional $1 billion for the accelerated delivery of the Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects, but there are other encouraging budget allocations we shouldn’t ignore.

I was particularly interested to read of the additional $939.25 million to continue recovery works to cyclone-damaged roads, and can’t quite decide if that’s an unexpectedly high number or not.

KiwiRail’s been allocated $200 million in support of maintenance and renewals on the national rail network – which, as we’ve seen in recent times with the likes of the Ruakura Superhub and Inland Port, and the Fairfield Freight Hub, affirms the position that it takes all modes operating as efficiently as they can to make a successful transport system.

And I was personally excited to see the refocusing of $59.7 million existing funding for public buses and their underappreciated drivers, $44.7 million of which will be invested in zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure. I hold a particularly strong opinion that electric commuter buses should’ve become the standard years ago, so it’s pleasing to see some real movement here.

The notable absentees … Interislander for one. Clearly little thought has gone into replacing the ageing barges in the time since the new government axed the iReX project after coming into office. Hardly a surprise as there are more pressing commitments that need their share of the pot. But it’s been said before – the longer this ferry-replacement debacle is kicked down the road, the greater the threat to safe and efficient passage between the islands becomes.

Interislander is as much a part of the country’s transport infrastructure as any of the Roads of National Significance or any KiwiRail trunk line. A case could be made for it to receive part funding from the transport, infrastructure and resilience budgets. Heck, you could even argue for it being a climate-change initiative – new boats will doubtlessly be more efficient and environmentally friendly than the old clunkers that have each done around 100,000 trips across the Strait, according to Interislander.

Finally, and not surprising either, there’s little mention of clean car discounts or the like. But the government confirmed that “$2.6 billion of high-value climate change initiatives previously funded from the Climate Emergency Response Fund will continue”, with mention of a grant scheme for clean heavy vehicles. Perhaps the detail on that is hidden in the mire, but I couldn’t find it.

So, the money’s on the table. Let’s get spending.

And on a different note – the Winter 2024 issue of Little Trucker Down Under, sister publication to New Zealand Trucking magazine, went on sale this week. With stories written by kids for kids, activities, and exclusive posters, stickers and collector cards, Little Trucker Down Under continues to go from strength to strength as it strikes a chord with truck-crazed kids. Head over to https://littletruckerdownunder.com/shop/ to get a one-year subscription from just $30, and ensure your kids never miss an issue!

Take care out there,

Gavin Myers
Editor