Transmission - A Mission For Life
Transmission Gully will finally be open for business on Thursday March 31.
First though of at least in part, in 1913.
Kapiti will benefit the most but so too will regular travellers and holiday makers especially during peak hours. And how many people have been caught up on a weekend afternoon or evening trying to get back to the Hutt Valley/Wellington/Porirua?
A coulpe of years ago I thought I would play smart and not leave the Levin area until after 8.30pm on a Sunday to avoid the usual traffic snarls. No such luck. Last time I was up that way and heading home on a Sunday evening we left near midnight and managed a clear run. But this is what one had to do in order to not face tiresome, time consuming and expensive motoring.
Then of course there is the fragility of Cennential Drive (Pukerua Bay-Paekak).
Shame that Transmission Gully will be like every other highway and motorway in NZ and only fit for a company such as Filton Hogan to hugely profit from because the road making processes in NZ equates to repairing and resurfacing at regular intervals.
Transmission Gully is 27km in length and took from Sept 2014 to March 2022 of construction and certification. It is said that a similar undertaking in China would have taken just 2 years and get this: the roading in China would last in tip top condition for years and years.
Roll-on the motorway extension to Levin to further make inroads to four-lane driving all the way from the outskirts of Wellington.
Kapiti is the fastest growing area in the Wellington region and one of the fastest in development in NZ and this will only be accelerated with the Transmission Gully motorway. Its lifestyle will change forever.
So that is one route out of Greater Wellington being attended to. The other is the road to the Wairarapa and one can only sigh in either relief or in agony that a vehicular tunnel through the Remutakas would create another speedy outlet/inlet and would have created a completely different lifestyle to that enjoyed or otherwise in the Wairarapa.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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39.7% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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58.5% No, I enjoy it
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
Alan and Hazel Kerr share Senior New Zealander of the Year Award 2026
Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr describe themselves as ‘just ordinary old Kiwis’, despite being named as the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealanders of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.
The amazing couple prompted a standing ovation at a star-studded Auckland event which recognised their tireless efforts, with Alan travelling to and from Gaza and the West Bank 40 times to help children over 20 years, and Hazel travelling 20 times.
Click read more to find out more.
We're taking the bus!
The number of Wellingtonians taking the bus and train rose by 3% last week compared to the same time last year, according to Metlink.
Not surprising given petrol prices at the moment. But if you're considering giving up your car commute for a leisurely bus ride in the mornings, it would be worth it.
It's about to get even easier: In April, e-pay will be launched, meaning you can tap on with your credit cards as well as smart devices.
It's better on the environment too: With most Metlink trains running on electricity, 25% of the bus fleet being EV’s and the Ika Rere electric ferry, Metlink is able to move more people using less fuel than any other transport option.
With fuel costs so high, it's a good idea to jump on board if you can. If you've become a public transport convert recently, how have you found it?
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