$50 million for NZ Cycleway

Great news! The Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Key has promised $50 million dollars over three years for the New Zealand Cycleway Project.

http://johnkey.co.nz/index.php

and check out the Ministry of Tourism on http://www.tourism.govt.nz/Our-Work/National-Cycleway-Project/

Media coverage: 
14 May 

NZ Herald, Herald video here.  

TV3 article here and footage (including interview with CAN's Stephen McKernon) here

NBR 

Radio NZ National 

Nelson Mail 


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Living Streets Aotearoa news release: National Cycleway will benefit walkers too

Media releases from  19 May

Prime Minister John Key is welcoming the Green Party's agreement to work with
National on the New Zealand Cycleway Project.

The cycleway has been added to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines
the policy initiatives both parties have agreed to collaborate on.

"When we first signed the MOU with the Green Party in April, I said there would be
other important policy areas where we had common ground, and the cycleway certainly
fits the criteria."

The MOU now covers four common areas; home insulation, energy efficiency, the
regulation of natural health products, and the cycleway.

John Key, as Minister of Tourism, will now work together with the Green Party's
spokesperson on Tourism, Sport and Recreation, and Cycling and Active Transport,
Kevin Hague, on the development of the cycleway project.

"While the Greens and National will always have policy differences, it is
increasingly clear that in an MMP environment this should never stand in the way of
working together when we share the same policy objectives.

"I look forward to the valuable input the Greens will have into this project."

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The Green Party has extended its agreement with National to include the New Zealand
Cycleway Project.

"The cycleway can benefit the economy and the environment at the same time, and we
strongly support this type of Green New Deal spending," said Green Party Tourism
spokesperson Kevin Hague. "We look forward to working with the Prime Minister to see
a network of cycleways spread across the country."

The agreement to support the cycleway initiative has been added to the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the two parties. Signed in April, the MOU committed
National and the Green Party to working on policy initiatives in areas of common
interest that include a home insulation programme, energy efficiency standards and
the regulation of natural health products.

Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman said more initiatives may be added: "We will
keep looking for common ground where we can construct good policy with National. At
the same time we'll vigorously critique the Government in the areas where we don't
agree."

Mr Hague said the cycling community had helped formulate a sound plan for the
Cycleway Project and the key work would be on funding and implementing the Project.
The Otago Rail Trail was a good example of the potential economic benefits of the
nationwide project, Mr Hague said. Last year, nearly 80,000 people rode the trail
while Ministry of Tourism figures estimate international cycle tourists spent $199
million during their stay in New Zealand