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National's Whangarei candidate Shane Reti has defended the party's roading policy for a four lane highway between Whangarei and Tauranga.
National’s Whangarei candidate Shane Reti has defended the party’s roading policy for a four lane highway between Whangarei and Tauranga.
He says it’s ambitious but achievable.
In 2017 National announced plans for the stretch between Whangarei and Mardsen Point at $500 million, which had a higher cost benefit ration than the Waterview tunnel – but it was ruled out by the incoming Labour Government.
“Here we are now six years later, $1.3 billion for that part of the corridor. This is the consequence of delays,” he says.
Dr Reti says the cost of road building has gone up because Labour allowed the Australian shareholders to close the Marsden Point refinery, meaning all bitumen must now be imported.
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