Simon Bridges National Party MP simonbridges.co.nz

You may have seen an announcement by Labour a few weeks back about building a cycleway across the Auckland Harbour for $785 million, ready for use in the late 2020s.

But the real news for our region wasn't the building of anything, rather the cancellation of something. You see, a few weeks back Labour cancelled the Tauranga Northern Link – our region's most important transport project by a long way – for the second time.

The TNL – or Takitimu Northern Link as Labour now call it – has been talked about for decades. When I was Transport Minister in 2016, the National government and the NZTA fully approved and funded it from Tauranga to Omokoroa and, following all necessary preparations, construction was to start in October 2018.

During the election campaign we also promised to take it further to Katikati (though I accept this was a political promise by National not a completed, fully-funded government decision, as Tauranga to Omokoroa was).

Sadly, on winning office, Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters' government cancelled the TNL mid commercial tender. This was the first time they did so. Pressure began to build and campaigners including the 'fix the bloody road” crew piled it on.

So, going into the 2020 election, Labour decided they needed to promise it and so TNL from Tauranga to Omokoroa was at least back on track for some future date, albeit delayed by at least a term.

Now you're up to speed, up until a few weeks ago when Labour again cancelled over half of the TNL. While the 6.8 kms to Te Puna will (we're told) happen, the next 10 kms to Omokoroa won't. As for Katikati, forget about it!

The first cancellation was to fund a tram along Dominion Road, Auckland. This time the cancellation is to fund a cycle bridge over the Auckland Harbour.

Indeed, I'd note the funding for the cycle bridge pretty closely matches what Te Puna to Omokoroa would cost these days. It's a pretty close to perfect swap for Labour.

All of this is, of course, a disgraceful tragedy. I'm really gutted. One of the most dangerous roads in New Zealand won't get the fix it requires, meaning there'll be many more deaths and serious injuries.

In addition, you'll be stuck in traffic while going to work or taking the kids to their activities. Oh well, at least in the late 2020s you might possibly get to go for a bike ride in Auckland. Then again, don't count on it!