KiwiRail must take charge of the costs incurred by the affected areas, and someone in the organisation's management must be accountable for this ridiculous scenario.
It can be reasonably anticipated that this situation will put extra pressure on the substandard roading system in Northland, with the productivity costs expected to be absorbed by the affected producers in Northland.
This is typical of the quality discrepancy imposed on New Zealand compared to the products delivered to us.
New Zealand producers are forced to comply with NAIT and many other 'quality controls,' whereas our history of importing products is peppered with examples of poor production such as lead paint on children's toys, reactive starch in children's clothing and faulty communication products.
Northlanders should be having their say on how the $1.6 billion budget for the Auckland motorway northern extension is spent in Northland. Northlanders must be given the opportunity to have their say on how this 'once-in-a-lifetime' budget is spent to secure a fit for purpose transport network.
In order to ensure efficiency in getting Northland's product to market, the Northland Transport Committee, a body established to advocate for the needs of this region, must identify their internal deficiencies, which include a lack of input from people with experience in road construction or commercial distribution.
KEN RINTOUL
Okaihau
Focus New Zealand
