Process for the National Land Transport Programme

This page relates to the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme.

Introduction

This page outlines detailed process steps and the timeframe for developing the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

Process steps for NLTP development 

We (Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency as investor) take the below steps in preparing the NLTP. 

Prior to release of GPS

1. We develop our project plan and timelines for NLTP development. Following the board’s approval of the high-level plan and deadlines, we communicate these to regional transport committees, approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities).
2. Prior to the release of the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS), we develop and communicate national investment signals based on the current GPS, emerging government policy and Arataki, which is our view on the evidence and insight regarding the most significant challenges and opportunities in each region, and the mix of responses that might best deliver on them.
   Arataki

3. On release of the draft GPS and development and configuration of its draft Investment Prioritisation Method (IPM), we strengthen our investment signals and ensure that RLTP development and other processes and timelines are in place to meet our NLTP deadlines.
   2021-24 NLTP Investment Prioritisation Method

After release of the GPS

On release of the final GPS and IPM, we work progressively through the following steps:

1. Confirm our NLTP project plan, investment signals and timelines, and obtain board approvals as required.
2. Develop the NLTP and interact with the board as necessary, providing updates and obtaining direction.
3. Develop our NLTP communications strategy and plan and obtain board high-level approval of these.
4. Collate and assess draft RLTPs, and profile and prioritise the activities proposed for inclusion in the NLTP.
5. Draft the national and regional sections of the electronic NLTP document, which will be released on the Waka Kotahi website after the NLTP is adopted.

Investment moderation and board adoption:

6. Moderate and consolidate investment proposals with emphasis on the continuous programme activities (maintenance, operations ((including promotion of road safety)) and renewals), public transport services and minor improvements.
7. Recommend indicative investment levels for the continuous programme activities and obtain the board’s endorsement of these. The purpose is to provide approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) more certainty around the core funding they will receive to assist development of their budgets and plans.
8. Communicate indicative investment levels for programmed activities to approved organisations to assist their long-term planning, and also advise indicative allocations to all activity classes.
9. Further moderate and consolidate investment proposals with particular emphasis on the improvement activities that are included in the draft RLTPs alongside our nationally delivered or managed activities.
10. Receive the final RLTPs and review our earlier view on the activity classes taking account of the RLTPs and projected out-turn of the current NLTP to optimise the allocation of funding across activity classes for recommendation to the board.
11. Draft supporting information for the launch of the NLTP and arrange the national and regional launches.
12. Draft the NLTP board paper and recommend adoption of the NLTP.

The board then decides whether to adopt the NLTP. If it decides not to adopt the NLTP, the process goes back to step 12 to redraft the board paper to take account of the board's concerns.

After adoption of NLTP

1. If the board adopts the NLTP, we complete drafting the NLTP document on the Waka Kotahi website. We also complete the hard copy supporting documentation for the national and regional launches.
2. We write to regional transport committees (and affected approved organisations) explaining the reasons why activities have not been included in the NLTP and why our priority order for activities differs from the regional transport committee’s order.
3. The board and the Waka Kotahi senior leadership team launch the NLTP nationally (Wellington-based and involving sector leaders and media) and regionally (involving regional leaders, eg mayors, chief executives).
4. During and after the launch, we respond to media and other queries for information relating to the NLTP, including parliamentary and ministerial queries.

Timelines for NLTP development

Every three years, Waka Kotahi is required under the LTMA to adopt the NLTP by 1 September of the first year of the NLTP under development.

In most cases we aim to adopt the NLTP by 30 June of the year immediately preceding the start of the NLTP.

Where development of the NLTP is delayed, for example due to late release of the GPS, we have until 31 August of the first year of the NLTP to adopt the NLTP and may, as a consequence, adjust the deadlines for RLTPs.