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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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#20-12 Removal of references to 'Engineer to the Contract'

Published: 20 May 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Procurement team, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note outlines a minor change to the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency manual SM030 Professional Services Contract Proforma Manual, amendment 9 October 2019. The change involves removal of references that are no longer relevant. The change outlined in this note shall be implemented from the date of publication.

#20-05 Contract Procedures Manual (SM021)

Published: 29 May 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Procurement team, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that the third edition of the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Contract Procedures Manual (SM021) has been released to be used for all future procurement of infrastructure projects and is available for download from the Waka Kotahi website.

#20-06 State Highway Construction Contract Proforma Manual (SM031) Issue 16

Published: 29 May 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Procurement team, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that issue 16 of the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency State Highway Construction Contract Proforma Manual (SM031) has been released to be used for all future procurement of infrastructure projects and is available for download from the Waka Kotahi website.

#20-07 State Highway Maintenance Contract Proforma Manual (SM032) Issue 11

Published: 29 May 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Procurement team, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that issue 11 of the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency State Highway Maintenance Contract Proforma Manual (SM032) has been released to be used for all future procurement of infrastructure projects and is available for download from the Waka Kotahi website.

#20-11 Personal Protective Equipment and Site Access Requirements

Published: 29 May 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note advises of changes to the health and safety and site access requirements that clarify the standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and access requirements and helps establish a better framework of clear expectations for our contractors. The changes outlined in this note shall be implemented from the date of publication.

#20-04 Update to State Highway Control Manual (SM012)

Published: 29 May 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Operational Policy, Planning and Performance (OP3) team, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

A new version of the SM012 manual is now available to assist practitioners involved in state highway corridor management to carry out their day to day tasks. The content of the new version can be used as guidance with immediate effect.

#20-10 Use of hollow bar ground anchors and soil nails

Published: 30 April 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audience: Road traffic engineers & consultants | Author: Geotechnics, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that there is an issue with the use of hollow bar anchors and soil nails as an anchorage method and, as a result, this methodology must not be used unless its suitability for anchoring structural works as designed is demonstrable. The new requirement for hollow bar anchors and soil nails applies from the date of this notice for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and may be used by any other road controlling authority.

#20-08 Use of GAP65 as a drainage medium to retaining and geotechnical structures

Published: 30 April 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Geotechnics team, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that there is an issue with the use of GAP65 as a drainage material and, as a result, this material must not be used unless its suitability for the works as designed is demonstrated. The new requirement applies from the date of this notice.

#20-09 Use of sonic drilling in ground investigations

Published: 30 April 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Geotechnics team, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that there is an issue with the use of sonic drilling as an investigation technique in the North Island and, as a result, this methodology must not be used unless its suitability for the works as designed is agreed with the road controlling authority. The new requirement applies from the date of this notice.

#20-01 Procedures for design and indirect tensile strength testing of modified and bound pavement materials

Published: 14 February 2020 | Category: Technical advice note | Audiences: Road traffic engineers & consultants, Roading contractors | Author: Technical Services team, NZ Transport Agency

This note is to advise that NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Specification T19:2020, Procedures for design and indirect tensile strength testing of modified and bound pavement materials, has been released for general use and is available on the Transport Agency’s website for download.

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