The Wizard of Christchurch was presented with a $450 million cheque from Save Kāpiti which represents the difference between the cost of the community selected Kāpiti Western Link Road and the Government’s proposed four-lane Expressway.
A large group of vocal supporters from Kāpiti travelled into Parliament to presented the Wizard with the giant cheque.
They say money earmarked for the Kāpiti Expressway is wasted and should be spent on the Christchurch rebuild.The Wizard stepped in to help after Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee, who is also minister in charge of Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, refused to accept it.
The crowd of more than 50 protesters were addressed by the Wizard; by Labour Transport Spokesman Phil Twyford; and by Green Party Transport Spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter.
Mr Twyford said the proposed Ōtaki to Levin expressway, which the New Zealand Transport Agency scrapped last week in favour of several upgrades to State Highway 1 and SH57, saving $300 million, was the beginning of a government back-track on its promise to pour money into seven roads of national significance.
