If you’re planning to hold a public event or film on or near a state highway (like a parade, fun run, cycling race, or commercial shoot) you’ll need to work with us to make sure the activity is safe, well-managed, and doesn’t cause unnecessary disruption. If you’re planning an event, make sure you check with your local council to ensure you meet their requirements too.
Most events and filming require an approved traffic management plan (TMP) along with an Early Access Request (EAR).
Some may also need a corridor access request if they involve work that affects the highway itself or utility structures.
Use this guidance to understand what approvals you need and how to plan your activity.
If you’re planning to film on or near a state highway, you’ll need to plan ahead and work with us. You must submit a work plan, which includes a site safety plan along with a TMP. If your filming affects the shoulder, berm or roadside structures, you may also need a corridor access request.
Your TMP needs to show how you’ll manage safety risks. This should include:
If you are proposing to close the road, you must work with our regional teams who will assist you in the planning stages of your event.
If you’re planning an event on or near a state highway, like a parade, fun run or sports event, you’ll need to plan carefully. You must submit a TMP. If your event affects the shoulder, berm or roadside structures, you may also need a corridor access request.
If your event needs a full or partial road closure, you must work with our regional teams who will assist you in the planning stages of your event.
CloseDue to public safety concerns, risk of damage to infrastructure and the strategic role the Auckland Harbour Bridge plays in our network, there is a very high threshold for acceptance of requests to access the bridge for special events.
Operating drones over or along state highways is considered a high-risk activity, and as such there are a number of requirements that must be met to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
Read more: Requests to fly drones over a state highway
Some activities in the state highway corridor don’t follow a standard pattern. They need extra care, extra approvals or specific conditions to keep people safe and protect the network.
We follow the State Highway Control and Operations Manual (SM012) to make sure these special activities are consistently applied across the country. This means you’ll need to meet extra requirements if your activity affects safety, traffic flow, infrastructure or network integrity in specific ways.
If you’re unsure, check with us early to find out what applies. Here are some common examples:
|
Activity type |
What’s involved |
Key conditions |
|
Drone flights over highways |
Filming, surveying or other unmanned aircraft work above the corridor |
Requires Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation, site risk assessment, and written NZTA approval. May also need a TMP if traffic is affected. |
|
Temporary road safety barriers |
Installing devices like steel barriers or water-filled systems |
Barriers must be approved products listed in NZTA's M23 Appendix C. Installations must follow the TMP and layout conditions. |
|
Stock races, grazing or cropping |
Using the roadside for farming-related purposes |
Only allowed on low-volume rural highways. Requires a licence and may be subject to setbacks, fencing, and removal requirements. |
|
Motorway service centre access |
Building or maintaining facilities like fuel stops or rest areas |
Needs a formal access agreement with NZTA. Conditions include 24/7 operation, controlled entry and no local road access. |
|
Special vehicle crossings |
Farm vehicles or exempt machines crossing the highway |
Requires a licence to occupy, including clear limits, safety measures, and reinstatement responsibilities. |
|
Utility or service works |
Installing, replacing or maintaining underground services |
Must submit a corridor access request and get a works access permit. Work type and scale determine what else is required. |
|
Non-standard TTM devices |
Trying a new or modified sign, layout, or other control measure |
Must follow the TCD Rule Section 27/Appendix G22 trial process. A formal application, risk assessment and monitoring are required. |
|
Trialling new safety treatments |
Piloting road markings, layouts or signage |
Must be backed by good evidence and coordinated nationally. Trials must be gazetted, monitored and formally evaluated. |
|
Safety billboards or banners |
Installing campaign signs in the road reserve |
Only allowed for NZTA-approved road safety campaigns or events of local significance. Location and design must meet strict rules. |
|
Spill response or emergency clean-up |
Responding to incidents that create safety or environmental risk |
Follows a multi-agency protocol. TMPs and deployment notifications may be required depending on the location and response type. |
If you want to do something new, you may need formal approval under the Land Transport Rule:
Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004
We need to ensure any innovation is safe, lawful and well-tested before being used on public roads. This includes:
If your idea involves a non-standard device or approach, we’ll help guide you through the right process. This may include:
You must not use non-approved devices on a live state highway without written NZTA authorisation.
Contact us if you're not sure whether your activity requires the processes above and we will work with you to determine what applies and guide you through the next steps.
Email the RCA Temporary Traffic Management Centre rttmc@nzta.govt.nz
f you need to respond quickly to an unplanned incident or urgent risk on the state highway and you need a new TMP to do so, you can retrospectively apply for temporary traffic management, however you must follow our emergency access process.
Emergency or urgent access applies when:
This includes things like burst water mains, sinkholes, hazardous spills, or cable faults affecting essential services.
You must:
Where possible, use an approved TMP or Pre-Approved Reusable Scheme (PARS). If none apply, follow your organisation’s emergency operating procedures. When you retrospectively submit your TMP ensure you provide details of the risk-based decisions made onsite.
Once your emergency response is logged, we will:
Contact us for more guidance:
Email the RCA Temporary Traffic Management Centre rttmc@nzta.govt.nz
