Su’a William SIO
MP for Mangere

New motorway not fair to Mangere

The Government is forcing through a multi-million dollar tunnel and a new motorway which will disrupt our local schools, disrupt people’s movements, disrupt people’s ability to cast their vote during an election period without consulting the Mangere community.

”It’s outrageous that National is forcing through these major road works out of the blues without a proper consultation process with the community that is going to be most affected by it.

“For the next two years Mangere Central school is going to be severely disrupted as construction of a new tunnel and expansion of the motorway takes place beginning January next year, and our view as a community has not been sought.

“It reveals the sheer arrogance of this Government that they have not considered the impact of noise, dirt, dust, and children’s safety during their walking bus – they are just going to go ahead without addressing these significant issues which the community are concerned about.

“They just don’t seem to care what happens to our people especially the movement and safety of our children.

“They’re moving on this tunnel and motorway and haven’t had the decency to talk to the people of Mangere at all.

“They are only now just attempting to meet with the school, but it’s a fait accompli, what’s the point of that when they’re not asking for our views.

“Gerry Brownlee’s name is being whispered by officials as the champion of bulldozing the new motorway through without any consideration on the impact on Mangere and its affected communities.

“The Minister and his government again reveal their utter disdain for the people of Mangere by refusing to come down from his high horse and talk to us.

“I have written to both NZTA and Auckland Transport about what is going on and all I’ve got is an acknowledgement of my letter, but I have had no answers so far.

“NZTA have referred the matter to Gerry Brownlee who hasn’t bothered at all to reply.

“At the end of the day, this Government keeps revealing their true self by putting their friends who won these roading contracts before the interests of ordinary working people,” says Su’a William Sio.

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