The Canterbury earthquake over the weekend was a disaster and a miracle at the same time.

It was a disaster because of the damage, disruption and trauma caused for so many people, but it was also incredibly lucky that no-one was killed. The quake hit at 4:30am when the least number of people were out and about – a few hours earlier or later and we could have been facing a very different story.

As the Minister of Internal Affairs I have responsibility for the Fire Service who are doing an outstanding job in Canterbury. I spoke to the National Commander on Saturday who told me they’d dealt with 500 calls in Christchurch that day – to put in perspective, Levin deals with 400 in a whole year.

Additional firefighters from around the South Island are now in Christchurch, assessing buildings and helping residents deal with damaged chimneys and roofs.  

On Saturday evening I spoke at the Levin Volunteer Fire Brigade. It was a sobering evening and our thoughts were with the firefighters down south dealing with a huge workload.

As so often happens in times like these, we’ve seen the community at its best as people rally to help. Volunteers from all walks of life have been helping others with food, shelter and comfort.

This has been a reminder of what an outstanding job volunteer firefighters do in the community. When the siren goes they have to put down their tools, their pens, their children, or whatever they are holding, day or night, and rush off to perform what can be very dangerous duties.

We’ve seen this week just how quickly natural events can impact on our lives with flash flooding around Levin and Otaki.

We have an Emergency Management Office in Paraparaumu and local councils have plans for dealing with emergencies, but responsibility lies with all of us to prepare for events like this.

Every household should have emergency food and water stored along with a radio, first aid kit and any medical supplies you might need. You can find more information on how to prepare at www.getthru.govt.nz.

Recently in Kapiti local residents were terrorised by 100 drunken teenagers who trashed a house and caused a mini riot along the street. Cars were vandalised, police attacked and a two kilometre path of petty destruction left in their wake.
 
This is another example of the harm caused by binge drinking, which sadly has become part of our culture. Local police tell me they deal with problems caused by binge drinking every weekend.
 
Things need to change, which is why we are introducing a major package of reform to tackle the harm caused by alcohol.

I reckon these reforms strike the right balance between reducing harm and trusting responsible New Zealanders to make their own decisions about their drinking.
 
It’s important to realise that legislation alone won’t turn around binge drinking, but it will help support a culture change
 
Alcohol is estimated to contribute to 1000 deaths a year. During the weekend, about 7 out of 10 people who go to the emergency department are there because of alcohol. 
 
Alcohol is also a driver of crime. It plays a part in 30 per cent of all offences, 34 per cent of family violence, and one in every two homicides.

I have given the purchase age for alcohol a lot of thought and after reading the Law Commission report and listening to the views of the public I’ve decided to support a split age for purchasing alcohol.

This means that the age limit of 18 will still remain for bars and restaurants, but it will be 20 for takeaway alcohol from bottle stores and supermarkets.

There will be restrictions on the size and strength of pre-mixed RTDs, and it will be an offence to supply liquor to under-18s without the permission of their parents.

Local communities will have more power over the location and opening hours of liquor outlets, and there will be set closing times for bars and off-licenses.

There will also be improved public education and treatment services for people with dependency issues.

Legislation will go to Parliament in October and we will listen carefully to the public through the select committee process.

Please contact either of my electorate offices if you want more information on making a submission - nathanguykapiti@parliament.govt.nz or nathanguyhorowhenua@parliament.govt.nz

Otaki MP Nathan Guy says he will be supporting a split purchasing age for alcohol when a conscience vote is held in Parliament.
 
“I have given the purchase age for alcohol a lot of thought and after reading the Law Commission report and listening to the views of the public I’ve decided to support a split age for purchasing alcohol.
 
“This means 18 year olds will still be able to drink in pubs and restaurants but the age limit will be 20 to buy alcohol at bottle stores and supermarkets.

“I think this is the best solution at this point in time. We clearly have a problem with binge drinking in our community and this can cause a lot of harm. At the same time though we don’t want to punish the majority of people who drink sensibly.
 
“We’ve seen plenty of examples of the harm that excessive drinking can cause locally. Recently in Kapiti 100 teenagers at a birthday party trashed a house, attacked police and terrified local residents.
 
“Kapiti and Horowhenua police tell me they deal with binge drinking every weekend.
 
“Changing the law alone won’t change the binge drinking culture over night, but it will send a strong message.”   
 
The Government is responding to calls for action with new legislation to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. Other measures include set closing times for bars, tighter rules around supplying alcohol to minors and more power for local communities over licensing.

“I believe these reforms strike the right balance between harm reduction and trusting responsible New Zealanders to make the right decisions about their drinking.”

Legislation is likely to be introduced to Parliament in October and passed into law next year. The public will be able to make submissions through the select committee process.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been writing to all the new Board of Trustee members at our local schools, congratulating them for their election and thanking them in advance for the work ahead.

Our local schools depend on parents putting themselves forward to help out. This is so important because we know that kids do better at school (and in life) when parents get involved in their education.

It’s an exciting time in education with a lot happening, and a big focus on lifting achievement. 

We know that around one in five students leave school without the basic reading, writing and maths skills they need. This is a worrying statistic and the government is determined to get better results.

Last week the government announced some big changes to how the Ministry of Education supports teachers and students. 50 experts from the Ministry will start working directly with schools most at need, helping them lift achievement levels. Principals and teachers have told us this is the kind of direct assistance has needed for a long time.

Some schools will need only a little help to lift achievement levels, while others will need more.

National Standards begin in primary and intermediate schools this year and will help us identify students who are falling behind. The Standards are signposts which show what Year 1 to 8 children should be able to achieve in reading, writing, and maths, and by when. Parents receive plain language reports on their child’s progress twice a year.

Feedback from some local parents I’ve spoken to is that they appreciate the simple reporting structure and clearly understanding how their child is doing at school.

Like any new system there will need to be ‘tweaks’ and improvements made along the way to ensure parents and guardians are getting the information they need and deserve.

We’re also investing an extra $36 million over four years into students who we find are falling behind.

It won’t be easy, but we need to do a much better job of supporting these students who have been falling through the cracks for too long.

A new bill to help combat identity fraud has been introduced to Parliament today in the name of Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

“The Identity Information Confirmation Bill extends the use of the Data Validation Service to public and private sector agencies on a strictly 'need to know' basis," says Mr Guy.

“This allows agencies to check whether the identity information presented by a customer is consistent with that held by the Department of Internal Affairs through the citizenship registers, the passports database, and the various registers of the Births, Deaths, and Marriages registry office.

“This service will help ensure compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, which requires banks and other financial institutions to undertake more comprehensive ‘know your customer' checks.

“This will be an important tool in preventing identity fraud and reducing compliance costs.

“At the same time we are mindful of privacy concerns. Any agency using this tool must have the consent of customers – it is up to individuals whether or not to give permission. The tool only confirms whether the information provided by customers is accurate and does not give out any additional information about the person.

"The Data Validation Service will be available only to organisations which meet strict security, privacy and integrity criteria. The Government has also agreed that the Privacy Commissioner will monitor this service.”

National Rail Safety Week is a timely reminder for all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to be aware of the dangers around rail tracks and level crossings, says Associate Minister of Transport Nathan Guy.

“New Zealanders need to take responsibility around level crossings and on rail tracks to stay safe, and take on the message to ‘stop, look and live’,” says Mr Guy.

"Over the last decade there were 55 deaths at level crossings and 97 people were been killed as a result of trespassing on train tracks.

"Already this year there have been 27 level crossing collisions and one fatality. These are sobering statistics and I urge everyone to exercise caution and common sense when approaching a level crossing.

"This year National Rail Safety Week is focusing on the ‘Call It In’ campaign for reporting of near collisions at level crossings. I strongly support every KiwiRail, Tranz Metro and Veolia train driver in their efforts to report all near misses at level crossings around the country."

Rail Safety Week runs from 23 – 29 August and aims to improve safety at rail crossings and reduce trespassing on rail tracks. It is coordinated by KiwiRail and the Chris Cairns Foundation and jointly funded by the NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail, Veolia, Auckland Regional Transport Authority, Tranz Metro and the Chris Cairns Foundation.

A billboard campaign, school visits and the display of a car wreck from a train collision are planned around the country.

“Rail in New Zealand has an exciting future with projects underway including the KiwiRail Turnaround plan and major upgrades to the Auckland and Wellington networks. More freight and passengers are predicted to use rail in coming years, making safety even more important.

“The Government contributes up to $1 million per year to upgrade level crossings with warning lights, bells, and half-arm barriers. This contribution is made up of $500,000 from the Crown and $500,000 from the New Zealand Transport Agency.

“Of course there is only so much the Government can do – the decisions that people make at level crossings are often the difference between life and death. A little patience and commonsense will help reduce these preventable tragedies.”

Otaki MP Nathan Guy has congratulated Horowhenua College for winning second place in the ASB 2010 Stage Challenge, a nationwide competition broadcast on TV3. 

“To come second out of all the schools entering from throughout New Zealand is a great achievement. 

“Congratulations to the students and teachers who worked so hard on this performance. They have done the local community very proud. 

“Horowhenua College was chosen as a wild card entry by the TV judges as being exceptional and worthy of a place in the final, and they proved that with their strong showing.  

“The judges described the performance Framed as “brilliant story telling” and that it was “impossible to go past the beauty of this piece.” 

“Congratulations also to Year 12 student Caleb Jago-Ward who directed the performance. Caleb was my Youth MP in this year’s Youth Parliament and is clearly a talented name for the future.” 

The Stage Challenge is a nationwide competition where schools put together a performance involving dance, drama and design. It is supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Development. 

By the time you read this I should be staying on a cattle ranch in Texas, USA. Last night I had a tasty bison steak for dinner, commercially farmed from buffalo.  
 
I'm extremely fortunate to be hosted by the US government on a study trip looking at trade, food safety, agriculture and politics. 

I’m part of a group of 22 people from around the world and so far it’s been a fascinating experience. I'm learning so much about America and other countries around the world, and already I’ve built some strong friendships that will be beneficial in my political career.  
 
In Washington DC - the political engine room of America - we focussed on trade and met with officials to discuss laws around importation and food safety. I organised meetings with officials from Fonterra and Beef and Lamb New Zealand to get an understanding of the day to day issues they face here in America.
 
I also caught up with our new Ambassador Rt Hon Mike Moore who has just started here. Last week he met President Barrack Obama to help strengthen the relationship between our countries, which is getting stronger all the time.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully that our relationship is the best it’s been for 25 years. Mrs Clinton was planning to visit New Zealand earlier this year but had to postpone after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Hopefully she will visit later in the year – it would be great to show her Kapiti Island like we did with Prince William earlier this year.
 
The US and New Zealand are taking part in trade negotiations with other Pacific nations including Australia, Brunei, Chile, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. If this deal can be pulled off it will have major benefits for New Zealand with new trade, jobs and export opportunities.

We got to see this trade happening first-hand at the world’s second biggest fish and vegetable market in New York. It was amazing to see all the trucks unloading and I even spotted some New Zealand-farmed salmon on sale. I meet an American restaurateur who is passionate about New Zealand venison and a strong promoter of our food and wine.

It’s amazing to think what's involved from paddock to plate in providing him with a reliable supply of chilled venison that he turns into gourmet dishes on the other side of the world.
 
I'm very lucky to be on this tour and it makes me realise just how important America is to our country. Nearly 200,000 US visitors came to New Zealand last year and they are our third largest trading partner.

Trips like this will help build that relationship even further.

 New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, Rt Hon Mike Moore and Hon Nathan Guy

Otaki MP Nathan Guy has paid tribute to Levin Youth Aid Sergeant Stephen McCarthy, who tragically died last week. 

“Sergeant McCarthy gave nearly 30 years of service to the Horowhenua community, particularly in Levin.  

“Over the last 12 years he worked in the Levin Youth Aid section dealing with some of the most troubled young people and their families.  

“He knew the tough side of our community but he always had faith in young people and was prepared to give them a chance. He was passionate about his work and was a real ‘people person’. 

“Sergeant McCarthy had just recently taken up an important position at 'Life to the Max' in Levin and was excited about his new role in the community. 

“I remember getting my drivers licence with him shortly after I turned 15. He made me feel very relaxed as he sat in the passenger seat and chatted away. 

“This is a sad blow to his family, the community and the local police force. I’ve spoken to the family and to Senior Sergeant Willy Roy, offering my deepest condolences.  

“He will be sadly missed.”

 

The 2011 Rugby World Cup is now just over a year away and there is a huge amount of work going in to make sure New Zealand makes the most of this incredible event.

A few weeks ago the Prime Minister and I launched a new fund to support community events held during the tournament. $9.5 million is available for activities such as concerts, fairs, exhibitions, street markets and parades.

The money comes from the Lotteries Commission who run games like Lotto, Daily Keno and Instant Kiwi to benefit the community.

As the Minister of Internal Affairs I get to see the difference this funding makes in communities around New Zealand. It helps fund everything from cancer societies, women's refuges, age concern, disability charities, and environmental causes right through to sports clubs.

This new fund will help ensure that all communities and regions can get involved in the spirit of the event, even if you aren’t lucky enough to get a ticket to a game.

The Rugby World Cup will be the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand with around 85,000 visitors expected. There are seven games in Wellington and two in Palmerston North, which means we should see plenty of campervans staying locally.

This presents a real opportunity for Kapiti and Horowhenua to get involved in the spirit of the tournament and showcase our region to visitors.

As local MP I’ve met with Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan, Horowhenua Mayor Brendan Duffy and Nature Coast to discuss how our region can be involved. I’m keen to explore the idea of a joint proposal for events in our region being forward.  If you have a local idea for the Rugby World Cup Festival Committee you can contact Nature Coast at one of our i-SITE visitor information centres.

Otaki MP Nathan Guy is heading to the US next week to study trade, agriculture and food safety policies.  

Mr Guy is among 24 politicians and officials from around the world invited to take part in the study programme by the US State Department, who is meeting all the costs of travel.  

“This is great opportunity to see how agriculture policy works in the world’s largest economy, and to study issues such as food safety, research, trade and regulation.   

“The US is New Zealand’s third largest trading partner and agricultural trade issues are very important to our economy.  

“This programme will give me a valuable insight into US politics and policy, and will provide an opportunity to build closer links with representatives in similar roles in the US and around the world.”   

Mr Guy will be away for three weeks and will be keeping informed on local issues and events by his busy electorate offices in Paraparaumu and Levin.

 

This week I had a sneak peek at the new “Matangi” trains which will be rolled out across the Wellington region over the next 18 months.

The first train is fresh off the boat from South Korea, the first of 48 modern new units which will be arriving regularly.

It’s great news for commuters after what has been a tough year. Breakdowns and delays have been hugely frustrating for everyone involved.

These new trains are part of a $500 million package to improve our rail system. It’s much needed, given that we still have trains from the 1940s running on some tracks.

These new trains have decent heating and air-conditioning, public address systems and the latest technology to keep passengers informed about the service. There is also plenty of room for buggies, bikes and wheelchairs.

The first new train enters service on the Hutt Valley line in December with the Paraparaumu line scheduled to receive the Matangi around the middle of next year.

There will be rigorous testing over the next few months, so you might see it doing a few test runs around Kapiti.

Paraparaumu and Waikanae stations are also being upgraded as part of this major programme.

Work is underway at Paraparaumu with a second platform being built on the other side of the tracks, and an underpass will connect the existing road subway with the new platform. There will also be more carparks for commuters.

In Waikanae there’s plenty of activity with a new 200 metre long platform is underway. A second car park will be created to the east of the tracks, with a new pedestrian level crossing connecting it to the new station.

Of course, on top of these rail improvements we have the $2.2 billion roading upgrade of the corridor from Levin to Wellington Airport, including Transmission Gully.

It’s a huge infrastructure programme for our region, and one that is long overdue. I’m proud to see good progress being made and will keep you up to date with all the developments. 

Otaki MP Nathan Guy is encouraging Kapiti and Horowhenua Councils and Nature Coast to make the most of new funding available for festival events during next year’s Rugby World Cup. 

Last week the Prime Minister and Mr Guy, as Minister of Internal Affairs, launched the New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund. $9.5 million is available for community events held during the Rugby World Cup, such as concerts, fairs, exhibitions, street markets and parades. 

“Rugby World Cup 2011 will be the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand and we want to maximise the community involvement,” says Mr Guy. 

“85,000 visitors are expected and there are seven games in Wellington and two in Palmerston North. This presents a real opportunity for Kapiti and Horowhenua to get involved in the spirit of the tournament, while showcasing our region to visitors.   

“Running festival events locally will enable more Kapiti and Horowhenua people to feel a part of the Rugby World Cup. 

“I’ll be meeting with Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan, Horowhenua Mayor Brendan Duffy and Nature Coast to discuss how our region could be involved. This may involve a joint proposal for events in our region being put forward.” 

The funding has been allocated by the Lottery Grants Board, which distributes the profits of New Zealand Lotteries (including Lotto and Instant Kiwi) to various statutory bodies and distribution committees. 

Applications for grants close on 17 September 2010.   

Otaki MP and Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy speaks at the launch of the New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund.

PQs: 11. Rugby World Cup-2011 Festival Lottery Fund    
NewsRoom.co.nz Agency Story  at  8:03 am, 05 Aug 2010 

11. JACQUI DEAN (National-Waitaki) to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Why has the New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund been created?

Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister of Internal Affairs): During the Rugby World Cup next year nationwide festivals will be held to celebrate New Zealand's culture, heritage, and national identity. The New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund is providing $9.5 million in funding to support these festival events. The Rugby World Cup is the biggest sporting event ever held in New Zealand, and we want to maximise the community's involvement. This funding will help communities and regions get involved in the spirit of the event.

Jacqui Dean: What kind of events can be funded?

Hon NATHAN GUY: This fund will support all sorts of events with a community purpose associated with the Rugby World Cup. This could include things like concerts, fairs, exhibitions, street markets, and parades. Applications are now open, and they close on 17 September. I encourage communities to come up with ideas and make their applications through the website of the Department of Internal Affairs.

Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed the opening of NZTA’s new information centre at Coastlands shopping mall. 

Speaking at the opening, Mr Guy welcomed the efforts by NZTA to communicate with local residents.  

“The MacKays to Peka Peka expressway is a major development for the Kapiti Coast. This new centre has the latest information and staff available to answer questions on how the road will look and the process from here. 

“As the local MP I’m looking forward to working with NZTA and the community on the location of interchanges. I’m also looking forward to progress on the other key part of this corridor from Peka Peka to Otaki. 

“Over the last five years there have been 59 serious or fatal crashes on the stretch of road between Paraparaumu and Levin. We’ve known for years that improvements are needed on our roads and I’ve campaigned strongly on this issue.  

“The MacKays to Peka Peka section is an important part of the Wellington Northern Corridor from Levin to Wellington Airport, which includes Transmission Gully. 

“This is a $2.2 billion project which the government has earmarked as a Road of National Significance.” 

Good evening and thank you for inviting me along tonight.

Can I thank Fletcher Challenge for their sponsorship of tonight's event, and of previous ACENZ conferences.

I read an article in the engineering magazine E.NZ recently on the award winning Te Rewa Rewa bridge here in New Plymouth. It's a stunning combination of art and engineering, and a great demonstration of what engineers can achieve.

It's part of New Plymouth's famous coastal walkway, and I'd urge you to have a look if you get a chance while you're here. 

Tonight I'd like to give you a quick update on the government's priorities for the transport sector, and how this affects your profession.

The theme of your conference is "Energise the Future", which is a good description of what transport can do for New Zealand's economy.

We know that quality transport infrastructure can give us greater productivity and faster economic growth. 

For an exporting nation like New Zealand, how we move people and goods to markets is crucial. We rely on roads, rail, sea and air travel to make a living in the world.

To be a competitive economy we have to make our transport network as safe and efficient as possible.

RONs

In particular, we see the road network as the core of the transport sector and a top priority.

A lack of investment over the last 20-25 years has created deficits in our infrastructure that are clogging our arteries.

We need to unclog these arteries, and quickly.

We are putting our money where our mouth is with $11 billion to be invested in our roading network over the next 10 years.

Last year the Minister of Transport Steven Joyce identified seven Roads of National Significance (RoNS) which are top priorities.

These roads are centred around our five largest centres, and are of national strategic importance for the economy. 

All of these roads need work to reduce congestion, improve safety and support economic growth.

The NZ Transport Agency will be making major progress on these roads over the next 10 years.

Of course, we need engineers to help us build all of these roads and I expect many people in this room will be involved over the next decade. 

Brief update on each RoNS project

The first Road of National Significance project to begin was SH1 Victoria Park in Auckland, which began last year, one year ahead of schedule. 

This is the final part of improvements to Auckland's central motorway junction. It includes a 440 metre tunnel beneath Victoria Park to carry three lanes of northbound traffic, allowing the existing viaduct to provide four dedicated southbound lanes.

The Waterview section of Auckland's Western Ring Route will complete a 48 kilometre motorway linking Manukau, Auckland, Waitakere and the North Shore.

As part of this, the Manukau Harbour Crossing opened this week - seven months ahead of schedule. This will be a major relief for the 80,000 motorists who travel between central and south Auckland every day.

The $1.4 billion upgrade of State Highway One from Pūhoi to Wellsford will bring significant benefits to the Northland and Rodney districts, and to Auckland by reducing congestion and travel times while improving safety.

The SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link is the largest roading project ever planned in the Bay of Plenty. It's part of a wider project to handle increased traffic numbers in the region as well as supporting future population growth. Today the government has confirmed there will be tolling on this road to help pay for it.

Work on the Waikato Expressway is continuing, with a contract awarded recently to design and construct the $168 million Te Rapa section.

As the local MP for Otaki, I have a major interest in the SH1 Wellington Northern Corridor which extends from Levin to Wellington airport.

My electorate covers the Kapiti Coast and Horowhenua, and I can tell you transport is the number one local issue.

The other big news in that project was Transmission Gully. This is a big issue for people in my part of the world, and as local MP I've campaigned long and hard for this route to be built.

I think it's essential we have an alternative route in and out of our capital city. In a city like Wellington that is so vulnerable to a big quake, you've got to have route security.

This will also be a vital route in moving people and freight.

There has been decades of talk over this issue, but I'm proud to be part of a Government which is finally doing it.

Finally, the Christchurch Motorway Projects is made up of improvements to the southern, northern and western road corridors. This will mean better access around and to Christchurch, and better connections to the airport and the Port of Lyttleton.

Rail

Rail is also a big priority. We know that freight volumes carried in New Zealand will double by 2040. To meet this challenge, rail will have to play a big part.

In this year's Budget the government committed $250 million to the KiwiRail "Turnaround Plan". This is designed to make the rail freight business sustainable within a decade, so that it can stand on its own two feet.

In principle, we've committed $750 million over the next three years to KiwiRail. Final decisions will depend on business cases and meeting performance targets.

Road Safety

Finally, I want to outline our vision on road safety.

I'm sure you'll be aware of Safer Journeys, released a few months ago, which is the government's 10 year plan for road safety.

While we have made improvements and our road toll has dropped significantly in the last thirty years, this progress has stalled in recent years. Last year 385 New Zealanders died on our roads.

Safer Journeys outlines some of the major road safety issues we face and presents a range of actions to tackle them.

One of the biggest priorities is improving the safety of young drivers, because so far this year 35% of people killed on our roads have been under 25.

Our youth road toll is much worse than in Australia and it's among the worst in the world.

This is why we are raising the driving age to 16 and make the restricted driving test more difficult.

We're also improving road safety education and making it more widely available.

As we all know, alcohol is still a big problem. Nearly a third of road deaths in New Zealand involve drugs or alcohol in some way. 

This week Cabinet signed off on a major package to tackle this problem.

Early next year we will be bringing in:

• A zero drink drive limit for recidivist drink drivers
• A zero drink drive limit for drivers under 20 years of age
• Much tougher penalties for serious offences causing death and drink driving causing death
• The introduction of alcohol interlocks for repeat drink-drivers and for serious first-time offenders.

In terms of the adult drink-driving limit, we'll be carrying out New Zealand-specific research into this issue over the next two years.

This is a finely balanced issue, and we want to find out more on the level of risk posed by drivers with a blood alcohol content between 0.05 and 0.08.

We need to ensure that New Zealanders understand the difference between the two levels, and what likely impact a change would have on the road toll.

The Minister of Transport Steven Joyce has always said that road safety measures only work if they have the broad support of road users.

Therefore we'd want to be sure New Zealanders understand the benefits of a change and fully support it before proceeding.

In addition to this, we've already we've passed new laws on cellphone use while driving, drugged driving and cracked down on illegal street racers. 

Engineering safer roads

It's worth noting that Safer Journeys looks beyond just road users - it also takes in the safety of roads, roadsides and vehicles.

Engineering will have an important role as we aim for roads that can help reduce the chances of a crash and minimise the consequences when those crashes do occur.

The new Roads of National Significance will support this, as we retrofit and run separate carriageways through some of our busiest rural highways.

Work is underway on a State Highway Classification System. This will categorise State highways based on the volume of traffic they carry and the function they perform.

The recently launched KiwiRAP star ratings will feed into this.

These star ratings have been developed by the AA and the NZ Transport Agency to assess the relative levels of safety built in to our State highways.

They now provide important information for drivers, road authorities and the government.

Conclusion

With all of these projects happening, I'm sure you'll agree it's a busy and exciting time for the transport industry.

As engineers you have a major role to play in building and modernising our transport network, creating safer and more efficient networks throughout New Zealand. 

Your expertise and knowledge is essential in carrying out these ambitious plans.

Thank you again for the chance to speak to you tonight.