Government expectations by activity class

This page relates to the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

Introduction

This page refers to the government’s expectations from investment in the land transport system as set out in the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) 2024.

Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024(external link)

The GPS 2024 sets the government’s expectations from investment in the land transport system, including:

• proposed system reform as context for the funding and directions provided in the GPS
• 4 strategic priorities for investment of the National Land Transport Fund and expectations about what the government seeks to achieve in the context of each strategic priority
• outcomes that the government expects investment will contribute to in the short to medium term (these are expressed in relation to the 4 strategic priorities)
• ministerial expectations of how the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) gives effect to the GPS and to the extent applicable, the Ministry of Transport, approved organisations and other delivery agencies
• expectations for investment in each of the activity classes.

Strategic priorities and ministerial expectations

The 4 strategic priorities are:

• economic growth and productivity (the overarching strategic priority)
• increased maintenance and resilience
• safety
• value for money.

The ministerial expectations are grouped as follows:

• focus on delivery
• focus on core business
• focus on value for money
• consideration of other revenue sources and other funding and delivery models
• increased focus on performance and efficiency
• NZTA to ensure that road controlling authorities and public transport authorities are following the ministerial expectations
• reporting on the expectations.

Examples of expectations by activity class

Government expectations are also set out in respect of each activity class in the GPS 2024. These are in addition to or reinforcement of the government expectations above.

For example, the GPS states in relation to public transport services:

`This GPS expects that existing public transport services will continue to be funded, if they are cost effective, achieve value for money, and achieve the expected outcomes of less congestion and increased patronage.’

Another example is in relation to local road improvements:

`The Government expects that funding in this activity class will not be used to invest in other new multi-modal improvements, i.e., cycleways and busways, or fund traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, raised crossings and in-lane bus stops, which inconvenience motorists. However, funding in this activity class can be used to:

• deliver multi-modal elements required as a condition of an already in place consent (these elements can be funded from this activity class, but the NZTA is still expected to minimise costs needed to deliver these multi-modal elements)
• fund footpath improvements, noting there will be limited funding for footpath improvements in this activity class. Any investment in footpath improvements is expected to take a “no frills” approach and investment should only be made where the investment would improve efficiency of the road network and reduce travel times.’

For details, refer to the GPS 2024.

Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024(external link)