Published: 1 August 2025 | Category: Benefits & economic evaluation , Manuals | Audience: Local & regional government
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Monetised benefits and costs manual (MBCM) is the industry's standard for the economic evaluation of land transport activities in New Zealand. The MBCM sets out economic evaluation procedures and values used in calculating benefit–cost ratios.
Version 1.7.4 of the MBCM – volume 1 applies to benefit-cost ratio calculations that commence on or after 1 August 2025. The changes made to the MBCM – volume 1 in Version 1.7.4 are listed in:
General Circular 25/03 [PDF, 172 KB]
The 2024 update factors are effective from 1 July 2024.
The MBCM should be read in conjunction with:
For further guidance on how to apply the MBCM or to register for updates related to the MBCM contact MBCM@nzta.govt.nz
| Date issued | Title | Current version |
| 1 Aug 2025 | Monetised benefits and costs manual – volume 1: procedures [PDF, 3.8 MB] | 1.7.4 |
| 20 May 2025 | Monetised benefits and costs manual – volume 2: appendices [PDF, 5 MB] | 1.7.3 |
| 1 Aug 2025 | General circular (25/03) [PDF, 172 KB] | 25/03 |
| 26 May 2025 | Crash estimation compendium: New Zealand crash risk factors guidelines, second edition – version 3 [PDF, 1.6 MB] | Second edition, version 3 |
| 20 May 2025 | Update factors to adjust MBCM costs and benefits to 1 July 2024 values [PDF, 16 KB] | |
| 20 May 2025 | Monetised benefits and costs manual – technical notes |
| Date issued | Title |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP1 Road renewals [XLSX, 242 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP2 Bridge renewals [XLSX, 479 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP3 Road improvements [XLSX, 465 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP4 Seal extensions [XLSX, 384 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP5 Intersections [XLSX, 354 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP6 High productivity motor vehicles [XLSX, 241 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP7 Transport resilience improvements [XLSX, 591 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP8 Freight services [XLSX, 295 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP9 Public transport new services [XLSX, 220 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP10 Public transport existing services [XLSX, 209 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP11 Walking and cycling [XLSX, 6 MB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP12 Travel behaviour [XLSX, 246 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2025 | SP13 Safety promotion [XLSX, 224 KB] |
| 16 May 2024 | Crash cost savings worksheet [XLSX, 366 KB] |
| 1 Aug 2021 | Appraisal summary table |
| 19 Jul 2021 | Transport modelling checks worksheet [XLSX, 387 KB] |
In May 2025 we held a workshop to communicate the changes in the updated version of the MBCM, published in May 2025. View the slides and video recording below.
MBCM presentation slides - May 2025 [PDF, 894 KB]
We held an online workshop in October 2024 introducing the MBCM to new users. View the slides and video recording below.
MBCM introductory workshop slides – October 2024 [PDF, 2.1 MB]
Video of the MBCM introductory workshop webinar – October 2024 
In May 2023 we held a workshop to communicate the changes in the updated version of the MBCM, published in April 2023.View the slides and video recording below.
MBCM presentation slides – May 2023 [PDF, 3.2 MB]
Video of MBCM update webinar – May 2023
| Date issued | Title |
|---|---|
| 20 May 2025 |
General circular 25/02 [PDF, 113 KB] Updates to the MBCM for May 2025 |
| 6 Jan 2025 |
General circular 25/01 [PDF, 54 KB] Advice on changes to the discount rates that apply from 6 Jan 2025 |
| 8 Nov 2024 |
General circular 24/04 [PDF, 159 KB] Updates to the MBCM and Crash Estimation Compendium (CEC) |
| 30 May 2024 |
General circular 24/02 [PDF, 129 KB] Update factors to adjust MBCM costs and benefits to 2023 values |
| 30 May 2024 |
