Option to quit Route K debt

Clayton Mitchell is promising to push the Government to take on the Route K debt if elected to Parliament. Photo/Andrew Warner

New Zealand First is promising to push for the Government to take on $61 million of debt from Route K.

City councillor Clayton Mitchell made the announcement yesterday after his candidacy in the Tauranga electorate was ratified.

However, the move has been criticised by Tauranga National MP Simon Bridges, who said the pledge was "dumb".

Party leader Winston Peters said NZ First always fulfilled its promises and said he had a record of achieving what he had set out to do.

Cr Mitchell said it was something both he and Mr Peters were passionate about and they had party support.

"If we could get it off the books it would put us [Tauranga] in a much better situation financially."

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby welcomed the pledge saying the debt was a significant issue for the city. Although the debt was being paid back through tolls, it was still classed as a liability.

The ownership and maintenance of the stretch of road had been taken on by the New Zealand Transport Agency but the debt was still the responsibility of the city.

"The city council took on that project to alleviate traffic and congestion on local roads, while the debt is still being paid back it is what we call a liability."

He said the $61 million left owing on Route K was a large amount and the city would be grateful if the debt was taken off the council's hands.

"My first year of mayoralty was also Winston's last year as Tauranga MP ... When he was in a position to make a promise, he made it. In terms of credibility and integrity they do what they say they are going to do."

Mr Bridges said the policy was "stupid" and since National had been in Government $700 million in roading funding had been dished out, with the majority going to the Western Bay.

"Ultimately on Route K, NZTA and the city council has come to a negotiated agreement ... It would be dumb to try and reopen it.

"By spending Crown money on Route K, it will put back other new roading projects in the Bay."

He said roading projects funded by the Government included the Bayfair flyover, the Hairini Link and they were also exploring the possibility of a Hamilton to Tauranga expressway.

Cr Mitchell was voted in as a city councillor in the local body elections in October and said he was loving that role and not ready to give it up, despite calls from the mayor to stand down if he became an MP.

He said it would be beneficial to the city council to have an elected member in Parliament but if successful in the September general election, he would not be seeking to stand again for the city council.

The Taxpayer's Union claimed Cr Mitchell would be double-dipping if he didn't rescind his council seat, but to dismiss those concerns Cr Mitchell said he would be giving back a percentage of his city council salary.