The Government's defending its mega-infrastructure investment announced today, despite questions about the exact amount.
It's been widely reported as a $12 billion boost - but the figures given today add up to about $8 billion.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson told Heather du Plessis-Allan there's no deception.
"The remaining $4 billion gets added to our budget capital spending, and we'll make our announcements about that in May, but this is what we said we're doing."Â
A number of big roading projects are part of the Government's $12 billion infrastructure package unveiled today.
After a two-year hiatus, the Government has given the green light to several four-lane highways, including SH1 from Whangarei to Port Marsden, Mill Rd in South Auckland, widening SH1 from Papakura to Drury, the Tauranga Northern Link and SH1 from Otaki to north of Levin.
Some of the projects had been planned by the previous National Government before being delayed by Labour. Robertson denies that they made a mistake in delaying those projects.Â
"For these particular projects, we spent some time making sure they were more appropriate for the 21st century."Â
The package also includes $1.1b for rail, including electrification from Papakura to Pukekohe, a third rail line in South Auckland, two new rail stations in Drury Central and Drury West and upgrades in Wellington and the Wairarapa.
Work on the SkyPath for Auckland's Harbour Bridge is also confirmed - a walking and cycling link between Westhaven and the North Shore. The project will cost $360m and is due to start next year.
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