National Unveils South Island Growth Plan Amid Turmoil

After a bruising week for National, leader Christopher Luxon sought to draw a line under the turmoil by launching a South Island growth plan.

The plan, unveiled at the Business Canterbury election conference, commits $50 million to shared road and rail connections for an intermodal freight hub at Rolleston and $25 million to four-lane a stretch of road into Queenstown past Hansen Road down to the Five Mile roundabout.

Luxon touted the South Island as 'a powerhouse' of the New Zealand economy, worth around $100 billion annually, with its farms, vineyards, mines, ports, and tourism operators driving growth and creating jobs.

The party also pledged $70 million to fit out Tower Three at Christchurch Hospital, delivering 96 additional beds. National claimed it was 'already delivering for the South Island', citing a 42% increase in transport investment to nearly $4 billion.