A safe, well-connected, and resilient land transport system that gets goods to market and supports economic growth in Northland is a major investment focus of the 2021–24 NLTP.
A major goal is creating a safe roading system that reduces harm to both people and the environment and doing so in such a way that, in tough financial times, provides better value for money invested.
This NLTP focuses on investing in developing a safer and more resilient land transport system that also supports regional growth in Northland and supports the journeys a resurgent tourism sector will bring.
Prioritised investments in Whangarei target better options for people who walk and cycle and take account of the functions of urban streets.
As well as the emphasis on improving the safety and resilience of Northland’s roading network to help drive economic growth, this NLTP strives to maintain key road connections and ensure the right levels of service for all transport users, regardless of mode.
We will be working with our transport partners to ensure the region’s roads are safer, more resilient, and well-maintained to provide the access local communities need, and that are critical to the farming, forestry and tourism sectors that are the foundations of the Northland economy.
During the 2021–24 NLTP period, $124 million was invested in road maintenance and renewals in Northland.
Transport has a major role to play in supporting the economic recovery of the tourism sector in Northland as the country moves into a different phase of the COVID pandemic.
Transport services improving access to employment and essential services for vulnerable communities contribute to the economic wellbeing of Northland. A focus of this NLTP is on maintaining safe and reliable road and rail freight connections to ensure economic recovery is supported.
Waka Kotahi wants to achieve better road safety outcomes with Māori. To enable the change, we have started the Improving Road Safety with Māori project under Road to Zero Te Ara Ki te Ora. The He Pūrongo Whakahaumaru Huarahi Mō Ngā Iwi Māori | Māori road safety outcomes report has been produced to help people understand where we are starting from and the data limitations that currently exist.
The Improving Road Safety with Māori project team will work with Māori to hear more from them about the key challenges facing their people. We will do this initially in two regions, including Te Tai Tokerau, by taking a listen first approach before we partner to develop a way forward. The next steps in this journey may take time but we are committed to doing better for Māori, making sure people are getting home safe to their whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori community.
NLTP | Investment in 2021/22 | Forecast investment for 2021-24 |
Total | $188 million | $658 million |
Maintenance and operations | $124 million | $386 million |
Public transport investment | $3 million | $15 million |
Walking and cycling | $6.5 million | $38 million |
Road to Zero (safety) | $9.4 million | $52 million |
Network improvements | $20 million | $109 million |