Information for
Transport Monitoring Indicator Framework
The Transport Monitoring Indicator Framework measures progress against the objectives, sector outcomes and targets in the New Zealand Transport Strategy and the Government Policy Statement.
Next Steps implementation
Find out more about the implementation of the Next Steps in the Land Transport Sector review - click on the logo below.
New Zealand Transport Strategy
The New Zealand Transport Strategy 2008 (PDF v7.0 4,687KB)
The New Zealand Transport Strategy 2008 Summary (PDF v7.0, 3,446KB) >>
Read about our recent consultations
Media releases and speeches
Find media releases and speeches from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministers with transport sector portfolios.
Read the latest update from the Road User Charges Review Group
Read the latest update from the Road User Charges Review Group here >>
Release of walking and cycling publication
Raising the profile of walking and cycling in New Zealand – a guide for decision-makers has been released by the Ministry of Transport.
The guide is aimed at local authority local decision-makers and highlights the range of benefits that can be gained from creating safe and convenient walking and cycling networks in our towns and cities.
Quarterly Fleet Statistics released
The first quarterly statistics report on vehicle fleets has been released. It provides information about vehicle buying patterns, fuel economy and fuel prices.
For more information click here >>
Annual Report 2007/08 release
The Ministry has released its Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2008.
The Annual Report outlines the Ministry’s achievements over the course of the year against its targets, and provides financial statements and management information.
Read the Annual Report here >>
The Social Cost of Road Crashes and Injuries
The Ministry has released its annual update of the Social Cost of Road Crashes and Injuries report.
The report shows that the total cost of all motor vehicle crashes in 2007 has increased by about five percent since 2006, to $4.5 billion. More specifically, the cost of crashes causing fatalities has risen by 8.6 percent. The report is a measure of the total cost of road crashes to the nation, including loss of life and life quality, loss of productivity, medical, legal, court and property damage costs
Motor Vehicle Crashes in New Zealand 2007
The annual statistical statement on road crashes in New Zealand has been released. This document contains detailed information about crash circumstances and causes.
To read more information click here >>
National Freight Demands Study
The Ministry of Transport, with the Ministry of Economic Development and Land Transport New Zealand (now part of the NZ Transport Agency) have released the National Freight Demands Study. The study will provide the government and individual organisations with a more accurate picture of how freight is being moved in New Zealand, so they can make informed decisions for the sector and assist in developing the economy.
Public Transport Management Bill – third reading
The Public Transport Management Bill received its third reading in Parliament on 10 September, 2008.
Third reading speech on the Beehive website
Minister Kings media release and Q&As on the Bill
Motivate Winter 08
The Ministry publishes a free quarterly newsletter, Motivate, which provides information on the development of transport policy and Ministry activities.
To read the latest edition of Motivate click here >>
A document summarising the New Zealand Transport Strategy 2008 was released with this issue of Motivate.
To read it click here (PDF v7.0, 3,446KB) >>
Fuel Consumption Rule
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven today announced the signing of a new land transport rule to improve the quality of fuel consumption information for imported vehicles.
To read the media release click here >>
Road User Amendment Rule – Cellphones
The Minister for Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven has announced the release of the Road User Amendment Rule for consultation. This amendment Rule contains a proposal to ban the use of hand-held phones while driving.
To read the Minister’s media release click here >>
Waterview Steering Group report released
Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Transport Minister Annette King today released the report of the Waterview Connection Procurement Steering Group.
The Steering Group investigated whether procuring the Waterview Connection section of Auckland’s Western Ring Route as a Public Private Partnership could deliver value for money.
To view the report click here (PDF v7.0, 650KB) >>
To view the media release and questions and answers on the report click here >>
Road User Charges review group named
Transport Minister Annette King has announced the members of an independent group to review Road User Charges.
To read the media release click here >>
Improving road safety education for young people
Safer Young Drivers: a guide to best practice education has been released as part of the government’s commitment to improving the quality and effectiveness of road safety education programmes offered to young drivers.
The guide is a result of the collective efforts of National Road Safety Committee partners, road safety co-ordinators, commercial providers of driver education and the AA. It aims to raise the overall standard of road safety education offered to young drivers and help increase the likelihood that young drivers who participate in road safety education become safer drivers.
Ministerial Regional Guidelines
Through the recently passed Land Transport Management Amendment Act, changes have been made to the way Regional Transport Committees are set up.
The Minister of Transport has released a set of Ministerial Guidelines to provide advice to regional councils on their appointments to Regional Transport Committees.
View a copy of the Ministerial Guidelines (PDF v7.0, 172KB) here.
Further amendments to Vehicle Equipment Rule 2004 – public consultation
Further amendments to the Vehicle Equipment Rule 2004 to tackle noisy exhausts are now being consulted on.
The proposed amendments to the Rule are intended to tighten amended legislation that came into effect on 1 June 2008 so further steps to reduce the impact of noisy exhausts can be taken.
Submissions close on September 17, 2008.
Read the media release and questions and answers issued by Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven here.
New Zealand Transport Strategy Released
Transport Minister Hon Annette King has launched a set of defined targets for the transport sector and actions to achieve these targets over the next 30 years. This is the first time specific targets have been set for the whole sector and they are detailed in two key documents: the New Zealand Transport Strategy 2008 (NZTS) and the first Government Policy Statement on land transport funding (GPS). These are part of a raft of changes to the transport sector signalled in the recently commenced Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 and will be the driving force to achieving an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transport system.
The Ministry also released the Transport Monitoring Indicator Framework. The framework measures progress against the objectives, sector outcomes and targets in the NZTS and the GPS. It is a tool for informing and evaluating transport-related policies and strategies.
New Zealand vehicle fleet analysed
A detailed analysis of the entire New Zealand vehicle fleet was published by the Ministry of Transport on 5 August 2008 using data from 2007.
The report The New Zealand Vehicle Fleet is published annually on the internet only. The latest report includes findings such that in 2007, kilometres travelled increased by 2.6 percent, after declining slightly in 2006.
Trial Vehicle Scrappage Report
The Ministry of Transport has published details of a trial vehicle scrappage scheme run in Auckland between 14 May-30 June 2007. The Trial Vehicle Scrappage Report was launched by Associate Minister of Transport Judith Tizard in Auckland on 1 August 2008 in an internet-only version.
Road safety research annual update published
The Ministry of Transport has published New Zealand Road Safety Research 2007, a summary of all reported research on any aspect of road safety being undertaken or completed in New Zealand during 2007.
The report is one in an annual series of internet-only road safety research summaries.
Australasian Rail Safety Awareness Week
Minister for Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven hosted a Parliamentary Reception on 23 July to mark the second annual Australasian Rail Safety Awareness Week.
Read Minister Duynhoven’s speech on the Beehive website here >>
The week, which aims to improve safety at rail crossings and reduce trespass on rail tracks, runs from 21-27 July.
Land Transport Management Amendment Bill third reading
The Land Transport Management Amendment Bill received its third reading in Parliament on 3 July 2008.
Read the third reading speech on the Beehive website here >>
Royal Assent is expected to be given in July, with the Act commencing 1 August 2008. Work and planning will continue prior to that date.
Appointment of Chief Executive of Ministry of Transport
Martin Matthews has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive and Secretary for Transport, Ministry of Transport, effective 29 September 2008. Click here to see the press release on the State Services Commission website.
Road User Charges increase
Road User Charges (RUC), affecting diesel vehicles and all other vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, will increase from July 1.
To read Transport Minister Annette King’s media statement click here:
The updated RUC book is available on the Land Transport New Zealand website at: http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/publications/docs/road-user-charges.pdf
A fact sheet with information on RUC charges for 1-6 tonne vehicles is also available at: http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/38.html
Compulsory third party vehicle insurance – public consultation
About a quarter of all vehicles in New Zealand are not insured. Compulsory insurance would require all motor vehicles driven on the road to be insured with at least third party insurance.
This would provide financial protection against damage to others’ vehicles and property, caused by the at-fault motorist in a crash (but does not cover damage to their vehicle).
The discussion document explores why people drive uninsured and offers a range of options for a possible compulsory third party insurance system.
Download discussion document (PDF 902Kb) >>
Download a PDF version of the submission form (PDF 935Kb) >>
Please note you will need to save the PDF to your computer before filling out the form. Save your changes and attach the filled out form to an email to be sent to thirdpartyinsurance@transport.govt.nz
Read the media release here >>
Hand-held phone ban for vehicle drivers considered
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven has announced that the Government will consider amending the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 to ban the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving a vehicle. Drivers would still be able to use hands-free devices under the proposed ban.
Read the media release and questions and answers here >>
Trucks to trial heavier loads
A project trialling a controlled permit system allowing trucks to carry heavier loads has been launched.
The trial was launched at participating company Canterbury Waste Services Ltd by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton on behalf of Transport Minister Annette King.
Ms King said selected road transport companies from across industry will take part in the six-month project, carrying loads of up to 50 tonnes, rather than the 44 tonnes currently legally allowed.
Read the media release and questions and answers here >>
Statement of Intent 2008 -11
The Ministry of Transport’s new Statement of Intent 2008-11 has been released. Our Statement of Intent outlines the Ministry’s priorities for the next three years. It explains the strategic context and environment we operate within and details our key projects and how we will achieve them.
Read the Statement of Intent here >>
Vote Transport Budget 2008
Funding for Budget 2008 has been announced. Vote Transport areas that received funding include: Canterbury Transport Project, search and rescue sector, Rescue Co-ordination Centre, regional development projects in Northland and Tairawhiti, Transport Accident Investigation Commission, Civil Aviation Authority, MetService, Aviation Security Service and joint venture airports infrastructure.
The Ministry of Transport also received funding to manage its major new responsibilities under the Next Steps legislation.
Read the Minister of Transport’s Budget media release >>
Sea Change launched
Transport Minister Annette King has launched Sea Change the Government’s strategy to transform coastal shipping in New Zealand.
At present about 15 percent of domestic freight is carried by coastal ships, including the Cook Strait ferries. Sea Change proposes to double this by 2040.
To read the media release click here >>
To read Annette King’s speech click here >>
To view the Sea Change document click here >>