New Zealand's transport sector has seen advancements in infrastructure and policy, particularly in the areas of safety, sustainability, and economic growth.
The 2024 Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport outlines a $22 billion investment over the next three years, focusing on road maintenance, public transport, and strategic projects. Funding for state highways has received a notable 91 percent increase, while local roads have seen a 50 percent boost to enhance resilience and safety. Additionally, public transport has been allocated a 41 percent increase to improve reliability and expand connectivity, especially within metropolitan rail and freight networks between Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga.
Despite these positive steps, challenges remain in addressing sustainable transport. The Emissions Reduction Plan, which targets a 41 percent reduction in transport emissions by 2035, highlights the need for low-carbon solutions, yet the uptake of zero-emission vehicles has been slow. As of 2024, only 1.1 percent of New Zealand's light vehicle fleet is made up of low or zero-emission vehicles. Furthermore, reliance on road-centric projects continues to hinder a broader transition to sustainable transport options.
The reintroduction of Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and the creation of Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS) reflect a strategic push to strengthen regional economic resilience. However, the sector still faces challenges in securing funding certainty and effective planning coordination, which are critical to embedding sustainability into New Zealand's transport infrastructure. These ongoing developments are a step toward balancing the needs of economic growth with long-term environmental goals, establishing a more sustainable and resilient transport network for the future.
Demand management solutions
In New Zealand, the government and local authorities are increasingly focused on traffic demand management to address growing transport needs and reduce congestion.
To alleviate congestion, targeted traffic management solutions such as route and area charging are gaining attention. Respondents were asked to rank various traffic management solutions to address congestion. Route and area charging emerged as the most preferred options, indicating public support for localised, immediate measures that can target congestion hotspots. This preference reflects a desire for traffic control strategies that have a direct and quick impact, in contrast to broader measures like fuel taxes, which may not yield rapid results. The "do-nothing" approach was rated the least favourably, emphasising a strong demand for proactive, effective actions to improve traffic flow and alleviate congestion. This feedback highlights a growing call for tailored, responsive traffic management strategies.
