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We regularly consult with the sector to gain insights that help us to review and update the documents within our Standards and Guidelines Catalogue. Information on current consultations can be viewed in our public consultation hub, and further information on recently reviewed, updated or archived documents is shared with staff and suppliers in our regular Standards and Guidelines Technical Advice Note newsletter.

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Technical Advice Notes were previously published every time an individual operational policy document was ratified and updated in our standards catalogue. However, in 2024 we have updated the format into a regular newsletter that not only lists recently updated documents, but also notifies future consultations and highlights upcoming plans in our forward work programme.

An archive of our previous Technical Advice Notes is below.

To search for a specific archived policy update if you can’t see it here, use the search filters in our NZTA resources library.

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#21-10 Amendment of SM021 Contract Procedures Manual

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that an amendment has been made to the third edition of the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) Manual SM021, Contract Procedures Manual. The third edition is to be used for all procurement of infrastructure and non-infrastructure goods/services/works and is available for download from the Waka Kotahi website. The change will not be applied retrospectively but will apply to all procurements that commence following the date of publication.

#21-09 Changes to the physical works prequalification pack and health and safety reporting – Discontinuation of ISN

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Contractors who want to achieve or maintain prequalification need to be aware that Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has made changes to the Physical Works Prequalification Pack.   These updates reflect the recent changes to the Waka Kotahi physical works and health and safety prequalification processes.   The new pack has been uploaded to the Waka Kotahi website and is available for immediate use. General information.

#21-08 NZTA Z01:2021, Minimum standard for quality management plans with inclusion of maintenance contract requirements

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency minimum standard Z01 for quality management plans has now been updated to include requirements for maintenance and operations contracts.   An updated document has been released to be used for all future procurement of maintenance contracts and is available for download from the Waka Kotahi website.   This update applies from the date of this notice.

#21-07 Move from hot cut-back bitumen to bitumen emulsion

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This purpose of this note is to make you aware that Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency  is changing its future procurement to move from hot cut-back bitumen to the use of bitumen emulsion in its highway sealing operations.   This will not be immediate but will be phased in during the next few years.   You will find the dates below.

#21-06 Horizontal geometric design for mobility scooters

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is intended to provide effective guidance on the layout of pedestrian infrastructure designed to provide access for mobility scooters. Infrastructure designed in accordance with this guidance will be considered acceptable when being considered for funding. The guidance may be applied from the date of publication.

#21-05 State Highway Professional Services Contract Proforma Manual (SM030) Issue 9.1 and State Highway Construction Contract Proforma Manual (SM031) Issue 14.1

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise of updates to the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) State Highway Professional Services Contract Proforma Manual (SM030) and State Highway Construction Contract Proforma Manual (SM031).  

#21-04 Minimum standard Z19: Environmental and social responsibility – interim update 2021

Published: | Category: Environment , Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that the Minimum standard Z19: Environmental and social responsibility standard (ESR standard) has been updated and is available for use on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.   The new standard applies from the date of this notice but will not be applied retrospectively to any works currently underway.

#21-03 Minimum standard Z17: Branding and communications

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise everyone involved in Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency works that the new minimum standard for branding and communications (Z17) is available to use. The new minimum standard should be used for any works undertaken after the date of this notice but will not be applied retrospectively to any works currently underway.

#21-01 Update to the M01 Specification and notes for bitumen

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note advises that Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency specification M01: 2020, Specification for bitumen, and its accompanying Notes, has been released and is available from the Highways Information Portal on the Waka Kotahi website.

#21-02 NZTA Z08:2020 Minimum standard for inspection, sampling and testing

Published: | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to communicate the need for all contractors and consultants working on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency infrastructure projects to implement the new minimum standard for inspection, sampling and testing. This new revision of Z08 is not to be retrospectively implemented but must be implemented for all new projects going forward.
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