New Zealanders will have to put up with the pain of road cones if they want a first world lifestyle, according to the Government. 

Callers to Kerre McIvor Mornings have complained about congestion around the country as roadworks continue to dominate our major cities. 

Transport Minister Phil Twyford told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the country is on a journey to address its infrastructure deficit. 

"The City Rail Link in Auckland, which is a massive piece of engineering, it is going to be disruptive for the next few years, but it will deliver a huge productivity benefit to our biggest city.

"There's pain, but there is gain." 

The Government is investing in further public transport plans, with it announced today that they are working on plans to introduce commuter trains to Hamilton and Tauranga.

Twyford says that the Government has sat down with the councils in Waikato and Bay of Plenty in order to work together on tackling housing and transport in the area. 

"They want and we want to see a transport system that can cope with growth. They recognise if you don't build rail and public transport alongside roads and motorways they will end up in 20 years time with chronic congestion." 

Heavy rail networks in those cities could be repurposed to handle passenger traffic. 

However, Twyford's also said Aucklanders will be able to take light rail to the airport by 2030, instead of by next year as the Government initially promised.

• Kerre McIvor: Auckland's never-ending roadworks are crippling the city