Helping the regions achieve their potential
For New Zealand to build a more productive and competitive economy we need all our regions achieving their potential.
That’s why we’re working across the country doing things like building the Roads of National Significance and accelerating regional roading projects, putting in ultra-fast and rural broadband, and encouraging irrigation projects. National cycle trails around the country are helping boost our tourism industry.
We’re also working alongside business to invest in primary growth partnership projects to get a better return from what we sell to the world.
Budget 2015 has a number of initiatives to support the regions.
We’re investing $25 million over three years for new Regional Research Institutes to support innovation in the regions. And there’s an $80 million boost over four years to R&D growth grants to support innovative Kiwi businesses around New Zealand carrying out research and development.
The Budget also allocates $97 million for improvements to five regional highways in Northland, the East Coast, Taranaki, the West Coast, and Queenstown. This is part of a $212 million package for 14 regionally-important state highway projects.
There is $244 million to build seven new schools, expand four existing schools, and add another 241 classrooms across the country. The new schools are in Whakatane, Gisborne, Hastings, Rolleston, and Hamilton, with significant school expansions in Papamoa and Queenstown.
Investment to boost world-class internet connectivity includes a $100 million to bring fast, reliable broadband to more regions and a $50 million fund to extend mobile coverage in black spot areas such as along main highways and in popular tourist destinations.
ACC is on track to provide further levy cuts of $500 million, bringing total annual savings since 2012 for businesses, workers, vehicle owners, and families to $2 billion. The average ACC motor vehicle levy will fall from around $330 to $195 from next month with a further drop to $120 from 2016.
There is support for housing in the regions with Housing Accords with local councils in Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty, Queenstown Lakes, Tasman, and Nelson. And 90,000 people are set to benefit from the new KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme – the most generous support package in a generation to help first-home buyers.
Budget 2015 continues our programme of helping families with a $790 million package to support children living in some of New Zealand’s poorest families. This includes children living in beneficiary and low-income households in the regions.And from 1 July all children under 13 will have access to free GP visits and free prescriptions.
These and other initiatives are a continuation of our strong programme to build a brighter future across regional New Zealand.
For New Zealand to build a more productive and competitive economy we need all our regions achieving their potential.
That’s why we’re working across the country doing things like building the Roads of National Significance and accelerating regional roading projects, putting in ultra-fast and...
For New Zealand to build a more productive and competitive economy we need all our regions achieving their potential.
That’s why we’re working across the country doing things like building the Roads of National Significance and accelerating regional roading projects, putting in ultra-fast and rural broadband, and encouraging irrigation projects. National cycle trails around the country are helping boost our tourism industry.
We’re also working alongside business to invest in primary growth partnership projects to get a better return from what we sell to the world.
Budget 2015 has a number of initiatives to support the regions.
We’re investing $25 million over three years for new Regional Research Institutes to support innovation in the regions. And there’s an $80 million boost over four years to R&D growth grants to support innovative Kiwi businesses around New Zealand carrying out research and development.
The Budget also allocates $97 million for improvements to five regional highways in Northland, the East Coast, Taranaki, the West Coast, and Queenstown. This is part of a $212 million package for 14 regionally-important state highway projects.
There is $244 million to build seven new schools, expand four existing schools, and add another 241 classrooms across the country. The new schools are in Whakatane, Gisborne, Hastings, Rolleston, and Hamilton, with significant school expansions in Papamoa and Queenstown.
Investment to boost world-class internet connectivity includes a $100 million to bring fast, reliable broadband to more regions and a $50 million fund to extend mobile coverage in black spot areas such as along main highways and in popular tourist destinations.
ACC is on track to provide further levy cuts of $500 million, bringing total annual savings since 2012 for businesses, workers, vehicle owners, and families to $2 billion. The average ACC motor vehicle levy will fall from around $330 to $195 from next month with a further drop to $120 from 2016.
There is support for housing in the regions with Housing Accords with local councils in Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty, Queenstown Lakes, Tasman, and Nelson. And 90,000 people are set to benefit from the new KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme – the most generous support package in a generation to help first-home buyers.
Budget 2015 continues our programme of helping families with a $790 million package to support children living in some of New Zealand’s poorest families. This includes children living in beneficiary and low-income households in the regions.And from 1 July all children under 13 will have access to free GP visits and free prescriptions.
These and other initiatives are a continuation of our strong programme to build a brighter future across regional New Zealand.
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