Kāpiti Coast councillor wants govt to also invest in trains

The government's $29 million investment into infrastructure in Ōtaki should come with a promise of new trains, a Kāpiti Coast councillor says.

The government has named seven towns and cities where $179 million will be spent to speed up infrastructure development to support 8000 new homes over the next 20 years.

In Ōtaki, the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund money will be used for roading and water infrastructure to support 1000 new houses.

Kāpiti Coast councillor Gwynn Compton wants the government to cough up an extra $360m for new trains too.

Better rail infrastructure is needed to keep up with rapid population growth, and to address Ōtaki's significant socio-economic challenges and the wider climate crisis, he said.

Govt funding essential in Kaikoura - mayor

Meanwhile, government funding for infrastructure to support new housing developments is essential in the Kaikōura district, its mayor says.

Kaikōura will receive almost $7.8 million in funding for infrastructure for about 400 sections, and for three waters upgrades, as part of the government's Infrastructure Acceleration Fund.

Craig Mackle said there was no way the council could have funded the work itself.

"It's also connecting up a subdivision that had already been started, down on the southern end which isn't connected to the town. This will connect it up as well."

The money will also fund a cycle way that will allow children to avoid cycling on the main road to get to school, he said.