Adaptation sits at the heart of system-wide change across the transport sector with major links to digital transformation, Resource Management Act reform, funding and investment reviews, as well as three waters, emergency management, and local government reforms.
Actions related to transport infrastructure, services, and decision-making are located throughout 'Adapt and thrive: Building a climate resilient New Zealand'. Land transport plays a vital role in New Zealand’s wellbeing.
Adapt and thrive: Building a climate resilient New Zealand(external link)
Waka Kotahi is part of all-of-government work to:
- Drive climate-resilient development in the right locations
- Contribute to a resilient natural environment
- Reduce inequity and improve affordability and access to infrastructure services – for example, investment in public and active transport
- Reduce the vulnerability of assets exposed to climate change.
- Ensure all new infrastructure is fit for a changing climate.
- Use renewal programmes to improve adaptive capacity.
Guidance developed by Te Waihanga Infrastructure Commission to assess risk and impact on physical assets and services will support the adaptation of transport and energy networks.
Te Waihanga Infrastructure Commission guidance(external link)
In urban development planning, local government will need to consider both adaptation and mitigation for communities. This includes achieving compact urban form that is well linked to public transport and jobs, and in areas with less exposure to climate impacts.
The national adaptation plan includes six specific transport actions. Many other actions require significant involvement for Waka Kotahi.
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Adapt and thrive: Building a climate resilient New Zealand
Transport related actions in the first national adaptation plan
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Title
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Lead agency
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Timeframe
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Implementation progress expected by
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Develop and implement the Waka Kotahi Climate Adaptation Plan
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Waka Kotahi
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Years 1–6 (2022–28)
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- By 2024, the first adaptation plan is published and a reporting framework on the implementation of the plan is developed.
- By 2026, implementation is ongoing, and progress is reported. The plan is updated as required.
- By 2028, implementation is ongoing, and progress reported. The plan is updated as required.
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Integrate adaptation into Waka Kotahi decision making
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MOT, Waka Kotahi
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Years 1–6 (2022–28)
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- By 2024, Waka Kotahi integrates adaptation into planning, investment and decision making for the National Land Transport Programme.
- By 2026, Waka Kotahi starts to integrate adaptation into Waka Kotahi decision making and updates the Investment Decision Making Framework (IDMF).
- By 2028, Waka Kotahi continues to integrate adaptation into Waka Kotahi decision making and updates the IDMF as required.
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Invest in public transport and active transport
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MOT, Waka Kotahi
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Years 1–6 (2022–28)
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- By 2024, the Ministry of Transport, in consultation with Waka Kotahi, has reported on the suite of outcome indicators that have been developed to demonstrate progress on the uptake and impact of walking, cycling and use of public transport. These are to be reported on annually. Key projects, such as The Public Transport Operating Model Review and rapid transit network plans for Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, are completed.
- By 2026, reporting continues based on outcome indicators.
- By 2028, reporting continues based on outcome indicators.
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Embed nature-based solutions as part of the response to reducing transport emissions and improving climate adaptation and biodiversity outcomes
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MOT
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Years 1–3 (2022–25)
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- By 2024, investigation into the role that nature-based solutions could play in reducing transport emissions and contributing to other benefits is underway.
- By 2026, investigation into the role that nature-based solutions could play in reducing transport emissions and contributing to other benefits is complete.
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Progress the rail network investment programme
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MOT, Waka Kotahi
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Years 1–6 (2022–28)
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- Before August 2024: in shifting to a resilient, reliable and safe network, the Rail Network Investment Programme (RNIP) has identified 21 targets to be met (and a further six to be met by June 2031), with ongoing reporting against these measures to be provided by KiwiRail (see section 10.3.1 of the RNIP).
- Ongoing: Waka Kotahi is responsible for monitoring delivery of the RNIP and will report annually to the Minister of Transport on the achievement of these targets.
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Deliver the New Zealand Freight and Supply Chain strategy
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MOT
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Years 1–6 (2022–28)
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- By the middle of 2023, the Government has launched the New Zealand Freight and Supply Chain strategy.
- Further implementation measures depend on finalisation of the strategy.
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