Consultations

We’re committed to a collaborative approach to transport planning, funding and development. It’s an approach that delivers integrated transport solutions that best meet the needs of New Zealanders. To achieve these results, we seek open and honest consultation across a range of activities with all our stakeholders, including road users, business, local government, communities and iwi.

• See what we’re currently consulting on
• See what we’ve recently consulted on

The activities we consult on

Projects, policies and programmes

We undertake consultation for programmes, policies and projects according to specific scope, process and consultation principles set out by the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

Read the Land Transport Management Act 2003

Land transport rules

We undertake consultation on behalf of the Minister of Transport for the making of land transport rules. The Minister of Transport has a statutory responsibility under the Land Transport Act 1998 to notify the intention to make the rule and to consult with interested groups on the proposed rule.

Read the Land Transport Act 1998

We go beyond the minimum statutory requirements by maintaining a database of interested groups and individuals and undertaking extensive consultation on each rule. Submissions received on draft rules are summarised and analysed and the rule redrafted to take into account the submissions received. If necessary, we undertake further consultation with key groups before submitting a proposed rule to the government.

Policy – planning and management of land transport activities

We consult and communicate with relevant organisations and individuals whenever we substantively develop, enhance or review policy around the planning and management of land transport activities. These are activities that can be funded from the national land transport fund. Appendix 3 of the Planning, programming and funding manual details this consultation and communication process.

What we’re currently consulting on

• Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2016 
  The NZ Transport Agency is consulting, on behalf of the Minister of Transport (the Minister), on proposed changes to Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2016 ("the Rule").
  
  Consultation on the proposed changes is being carried out to ensure that legislation is sound and robust and that the Rules development process takes account of the views of, and the impact on, people affected by proposed Rule changes. 
  
  The issues that are raised during consultation will be analysed and taken into account in preparing the proposed changes for the Minister of Transport's consideration. 
  
  Submissions closed 5pm, Friday 12 August 2016.
  
• Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (2016)
  The Transport Agency has released this proposed Ruledeadline for public consultation. The proposed Rulesubmissions is designed to deliver productivity improvements, greater regulatory efficiency and reduced compliance costs without compromising the road transport system and road user safety outcomes. 
  
  If you wish to comment on this draft Rule, please see the page headed ‘Making a submission’.
  
  Submissions closed at5pm, Friday 12 August 2016.
• Land Transport Rule Dangerous Goods Amendment 2016
  The proposed amendment Rule will require drivers or operators of vehicles carrying dangerous goods to comply with any sign that indicates a restriction or prohibition on the transport of dangerous goods on a specified section of road.  
  
  If you wish to comment on this draft Rule, please see the page headed ‘Making a submission’. Submissions closed  5pm, Monday 20 June 2016.

• Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999: Driver Licensing Review
  The Government is consulting on proposed changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999 which specifies the requirements for obtaining and renewing a driver licence or licence endorsement in New Zealand, and outlines the requirements for the approval of courses and course providers.

  Submissions closed on 5pm, Thursday 2 June 2016 . The discussion document and supporting information are available online at   www.transport.govt.nz/dlr

• Draft State highway public engagement guidelines
  The Transport Agency has released this draft State Highway Public Engagement Guidelines for public consultation. This guide sets out the requirements for public engagement that meets the Transport Agency’s commitment to social responsibility and the requirements of statutory approval processes under the Resource Management Act.  

• Engagement on the development of a SuperGold Bulk Funding Allocation Methodology
  On 8 June 2015, Government agreed that from 1 July 2016 the funding model for the SuperGold scheme will change from a demand driven fare reimbursement model to a capped bulk funding model.

  The Transport Agency has been tasked with developing, in collaboration with regional councils, a principles-based approach to the annual allocation of bulk funding to regional councils in time for the 2016/17 financial year. 

  The Ministry of Transport will carry out a review of the effectiveness of the bulk funding model in 2018/19.

  The Transport Agency is seeking feedback from regional councils and other affected stakeholders on the preferred option which is discussed in the engagement document. The engagement document also summarises the other options that were explored in the development of the preferred option.
  
  The engagement period closed on  29 February 2016 . Please send feedback to  sarah.downs@nzta.govt.nz .

• Proposed changes to Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule 2002 (VDAM Rule)
  The Government is consulting on proposed changes to the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule 2002 (VDAM Rule) which regulates the size and weight of vehicles able to travel on New Zealand roads.
  
  Submissions were open until  17 February 2016 .  The discussion document and submission form are available online at  www.transport.govt.nz/vdam .
  
  
• Guide to assessing social impacts for state highway projects
  The Transport Agency has released this draft  Guide to assessing social impacts for state highway projects  for public consultation. This guide sets out the requirements for assessment that meets the Transport Agency’s commitment to social responsibility and the requirements of statutory approval processes under the Resource Management Act. 
  
  Please send feedback to  environment@nzta.govt.nz . The feedback period close don  Monday 29 January 2016 , after which the final document will be prepared and released.
• Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment (2016)
  The Transport Agency has released this proposed amendment Rule, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, for public consultation. Consultation closed on  Monday 21 December 2015.
  
  The aim of this proposed amendment Rule is to allow road controlling authorities to issue permits for higher axle loading on all buses. A previous amendment to this rule (which came into effect on 1 October 2015) introduced permits for higher axle masses, but only for high-capacity buses (double-deckers) used on urban public transport routes.
  
  
• Specification for Traffic signals
  The Signal New Zealand User Group (SNUG) and The Transport Agency has developed guidelines to assist traffic signal asset owners, design consultants and suppliers capture the maximum benefits from the newer technologies available, and to provide a best practice guideline.
  
  
• Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2015
  The NZ Transport Agency is consulting, on behalf of the Minister of Transport (the Minister), on proposed changes to Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2015 ("the Rule").
  
  Consultation on the proposed changes is being carried out to ensure that legislation is sound and robust and that the Rules development process takes account of the views of, and the impact on, people affected by proposed Rule changes.
  
  The issues that are raised during consultation will be analysed and taken into account in preparing the proposed changes for the Minister of Transport's consideration. Submissions closed Friday, 10 July 2015.
  
  
• Draft Guide to the management of reverse sensitivity effects on the state highway network
  The Transport Agency released a draft Guide to the management of reverse sensitivity effects on the state highway network for public consultation. This guide describes how we manage reverse sensitivity effects, working together with territorial authorities and landowners/developers. Submissions closed on Friday 1 May 2015.

• State Highway 3, Awakino Gorge to Mt Messenger corridor
  As part of the government’s Accelerated Regional Roading Package, the New Zealand Transport Agency investigated improvements to the section of State Highway 3 between Awakino Gorge and Mt Messenger. We sought public feedback on the current route and submissions on this project have now closed (Monday 13 April 2015). We received 251 responses to the survey from a range of submitters, including council, interest groups, and members of the public, and are currently collating the feedback.

• Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2015
  The NZ Transport Agency consulted, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, on proposed changes to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002. Consultation on the proposed changes was carried out to ensure that legislation is sound and robust and that the rules development process takes account of the views of, and the impact on, people affected by proposed rule changes. Submissions closed on Thursday 2 April 2015.
  
  
• State highway safe network activity manual
  The State highway safe network activity manual provides advice and best practice guidance to network safety managers and road safety practitioners working on New Zealand roads in terms of road safety and replaces the Transit state highway safety management system manual, edition 4, March 2007. Submissions closed on Friday 27 February 2015.

• Review of the requirements for urban buses in New Zealand
  The NZ Transport Agency sought comments as part of a regular three year review of the Requirements for urban buses in New Zealand (RUB) document. Submissions closed on 24 October 2014.
  
  
• Cycling Safety Panel consultation
  The Cycling Safety Panel was convened by the NZ Transport Agency in response to the findings of a coronial review of cycling safety in New Zealand, released in November 2013 by Coroner Gordon Matenga.

• Specification and guidelines for road lighting design
  The Transport Agency developed these guidelines to assist lighting asset owners, design consultants and suppliers capture the maximum benefits from newer lighting technologies, particularly LED road lighting. Submissions closed 30 September 2014.
  
  
• Guidelines for public transport infrastructure and facilities – interim consultation draft
  Feedback was sought on proposed guidelines for public transport infrastructure and facilities. These guidelines provide a set of core principles for all public transport infrastructure as well as some specific guidance for bus stops. Submissions closed 14 July 2014.
  
  
• Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2014
  Comments were sought on proposed changes to a range of land transport rules. Submissions closed on 20 June 2014.
  
  
• State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth – proposal to make the temporary 80km/h speed limit permanent
  The NZ Transport Agency proposed making the two temporary speed limits on State Highway 3 (Devon Road) between Bell Block and Waitara permanent. Survey closed on 20 June 2014.
  
  
• Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Rule 2014
  Comments were sought on proposed rule changes that introduce time limits for learner and restricted licence holders, more flexibility around transactions and changes to evidence of identity requirements. Submissions closed on 28 May 2014.
  
  
• Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes Amendment 2014
  Comments were sought on proposed rule changes to make the fitting of electronic stability control in new and used light passenger and commercial vehicles mandatory. Submissions closed 22 April 2014.
  
  
• Proposed changes to legislation relating to overweight and high-productivity motor vehicles
  We sought comments on proposed changes to the legislation (rule and regulations) relating to overweight and high-productivity motor vehicles. Submissions closed 7 April 2014.
  
  
• Funding assistance rates (FAR) review options discussion document
  The Transport Agency invited feedback on the second stage of the funding assistance rates review into how to appropriately share the costs of building, operating and maintaining the land transport network across regions and the country between local government and the National Land Transport Fund. Submissions closed 28 March 2014.
  
  
• Vehicle certification and road user charges administration fee review
  The NZ Transport Agency reviewed the administration fees associated with vehicle certification (certificate of fitness and warrant of fitness) and Road User Charges (RUC). Submissions closed 11 February 2014.
  
  
• Interim guidelines for preparing regional public transport plans
  The NZ Transport Agency invited feedback from the public transport sector on the Interim guidelines for preparing regional public transport plans . These guidelines reflect recent legislative and operational policy changes. Submissions closed 4 November 2013.