7428 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

7428 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Has the approved budget for the Ōtaki to North of Levin project been revised to account for the newly discovered wetlands, and if not, what contingency exists within the current $2,133 million approved budget to manage this risk?

Hon Chris Bishop: On large projects of this nature, it is common that items that are unconsented are realised in the early stages. The project has proactively worked with the consenting authority to gain consents for Season 1 works, and they are working on the remaining areas affected. The possible impact of this unconsented scope will be funded from the current contingency allowance. If the risk were to be realised the equivalent monetised value has been calculated at $1.5 million.