Michael Wood
If you miss a major reform, wait a day or two...
In the current Parliament major reforms are coming along almost as frequently as buses. This week there are two separate and equally momentous legislative reform bills on the agenda.
AudioTransport Minister on driver conditions
Transport Minister, Michael Wood says current public transport tenders have contributed to a race to the bottom when it comes to bus drivers wages and he plans to make urgent changes. [embed]… Video, Audio
Michael Wood responds to Business NZ on fair pay agreements
Business NZ says New Zealand's on a shortlist of countries breaching international law due to the Government's fair pay agreement bill.
An International Labour Organisation committee will look at the… Audio
Govt commits $30m support to coastal shipping
It's good for shipping, good for local supply chains and good for the regions. That's the message the government is underscoring with its new commitment to coastal shipping. It's promising $30 million… Audio
Transport Minister explains 'scrap and replace' programme
Low and middle-income New Zealalnder are going to get help to buy an electric car and dump their gas guzzler but will the discounts be enough? Half a billion dollars is being poured into the Clean Car… Audio
Half-price public transport could be here to stay
The thousands of people who use public transport every day could soon find out if the half price fares they're enjoying now are here to stay.
The government brought in the three month price cut in… Audio
Michael Wood taking request for inquiry into port safety seriously
Transport Minister Michael Wood says he's taking a request for an inquiry into port safety very seriously, after the second death of a port worker in a week.
A Lyttelton Port Company worker died… Audio
Legislation to radically overhaul workplace laws passed first reading
Legislation that will radically overhaul workplace laws in this country has flown through its first reading. The Fair Pay Agreements Bill will set up a new system for workers to negotiate miniumum pay… Audio
Transport Minister on public transport and so-called ute tax
Half-price public transport kicks off today -- it's part of a three month scheme to minimise the effects of high fuel costs, which have spiked since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Government's Clean Car… Audio
Random Roadside drug testing from 2023
Drivers under the influence of drugs will soon be a target for the police. From next year random roadside drug testing will come into force. In both 2019 and 2020 over 100 people were killed in… Audio
Auckland light rail plan revealed - how will it be funded?
The government has announced plans for light rail in Auckland, which looks to be New Zealand's most expensive public transport project so far.
It will link up with the City Rail Link in the CBD, head… Video, Audio
Auckland light rail route announced
An extended underground light rail route will be built in Auckland.
The Government has announced the supercity's light rail project will run under the city from Wynyard Quarter to Mt Roskill, before… Audio
Police, Defence Force must be vaccinated against Covid-19
All sworn and authorised police officers, as well as recruits, will need to get their first Covid-19 vaccinations by January the 17th next year.
So will all Defence Force staff including civilians.
… Audio
Covid-19: Workplace Relations Minister Michael Wood on traffic light legislation speed
Opposition groups are criticising the government for rushing through legislation on the vaccination mandate - the subject of two days of debate before Parliament goes into recess.
This follows the… Audio
Covid-19: Minister says Aucklanders should prepare for some Auckland border traffic
Aucklanders will be able to travel from mid next month.
The border will open for people who are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for Covid-19 on Wednesday 15 Decembert.
It's raised concerns… Audio
Minister keen to press ahead with light rail in Auckland
The government and Auckland Council have just released their recommendations on Auckland's controversial light rail plan, a year after New Zealand First put a halt to the project.
There are three… Audio
Covid-19: Vaccine mandates not permanent, but will be around for some time - Wood
It's vaccination time for all workers at businesses where customers are required to brandish their own vaccination certificates - restaurants, gyms and barbers, among others.
No ifs, ands or buts… Audio
Whakaari/White Island: Independent WorkSafe review months overdue
A review of WorkSafe's handling of operations on Whakaari/White Island before the deadly eruption took place is now months overdue.
The blast in December 2019 took 22 lives.
In 2020 Minister of… Audio
Sick leave law changes arrive tomorrow
Law changes to double the number of paid sick days from five to 10 come into effect on Saturday. But not everyone will be covered - with new employees still not able to access sick leave until they've… Audio
24 June 2022 will be the first Matariki public holiday
Put June 24 in your diary for next year.. it will mark the first Matariki public holiday. The arrival of the star cluster also known as Pleides or Subaru marks the start of the Maori New Year The… Audio