Ilmars Gravis outlines the Green Party’s vision for smarter, greener transport solutions that would work in Ōpōtiki

It has been several weeks now since release of the Green Budget, a clearly achievable vision that has been independently costed, offering a refreshing alternative to the tired neoliberal vision that austerity will solve everything, while still lining the pockets of the already wealthy.

Based on the premise that “Aotearoa should be a place where nature thrives, everyone has a warm home and decent kai, and everyone gets the care and support they need for a good life” you can follow this link (www.greens.org.nz/green_budget_2025) to the complete budget document.

Our descent into neo-liberal austerity and privileges for the wealthy while the majority pay the price economically, socially, and environmentally is summed up by Chlöe Swarbrick, “no field is treated with more mysticism than economics”, and yet, many economists and the politicians who follow them “have nothing to say about why we have a society in which homeless people sleep on the pavement outside luxury stores” (www.greens.org.nz/fiscal_strategy).

Among issues addressed by the Green Budget that particularly impact the Eastern Bay (health, restoring nature, healthy oceans, and homes for all) is the need for and easy, cheap, and effective regional transport which I would like to highlight here. Current priorities, investment, and resourcing have poorly served the Eastern Bay.

Connections to main centres are difficult without the luxury of a private motor car, which is beyond the means of many in our community.

Although Ōpōtiki is not a large centre, it is nonetheless an important point on State Highway 2, which makes it frustrating that direct connections to Tauranga, Whakatāne and Rotorua, are limited, and bus routes to Auckland and Wellington are indirect and require a whole day of stop-start travel and, in some cases, bus transfers.

As part of the Green industrial strategy under transport, the budget notes that “for decades governments have failed to invest adequately in public transport, rail and other low emissions modes of transport, resulting in rising congestion, costs and climate-changing emissions”.

A Green Government will combine cost of living action with climate action by investing in transport solutions that make the most sense for our communities and the climate.”

Points of action that would particularly benefit communities in the Eastern Bay are:

n Fund councils to deliver public transport services in smaller cities and towns, including providing regional links.

n Revitalise regional rail – for both passengers and freight

n Invest in coastal shipping to support the rail freight network and reduce the amount of goods transported by high-emission trucks.

Regional and local links and regular shuttle services would facilitate regular and affordable connection between rural communities and services in towns, enhance community cohesion and reduce geographic isolation.

Road networks in the Bay of Plenty are suffering from constant wear and tear from large heavily-laden trucks, in many cases carrying freight that could be moved on an effective and well-resourced rail network, supported by regular coastal shipping services.

The Bay of Plenty would benefit from the revitalisation of regional rail for passengers, and freight, in particular, the completion of a “Golden Triangle” passenger rail service between Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga.

Road networks in the Eastern Bay are particularly vulnerable to coastal and other natural hazards, and the rapidly accelerating impacts of climate change.

We know coastal shipping is viable as was demonstrated in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle and its devastating impact on the main highway between Gisborne and Napier, by the implementation of a “blue highway” carrying freight between the ports of Napier and Gisborne on the freighter Rangitata.

In fact, many agencies and transport bodies called for support for a permanent coastal shipping network following the successful temporary measure (rnz.co.nz, 23.03.23).

However, any potential for this faded following the restoration of the highway and lack of ongoing government support soon quashed any further development of our coastal shipping network.

So, why would we keep throwing money into infrastructure that experience shows us is no longer fit for purpose in our changing climate when clear alternatives that have served this country well in the past are obvious solutions.

n Ilmars Gravis is co-convenor of the Ōpōtiki-Whakatāne branch of the Green Party of Aotearoa. To join your local Green Party branch contact us at [email protected] or go online at greens.org.nz/members