About the Ministry of Transport

The Ministry of Transport is the government's principal transport adviser, and the bulk of our work is in providing policy advice and support to Ministers.

Through our advice we aim to:

• improve the overall performance of the transport system
• improve the performance of transport Crown entities
• achieve better value for money for the government from its investment in the transport system.

We help the government give effect to its policy by supporting the development of legislation, regulations and rules. We also manage and account for funds invested in transport. 

The Ministry represents New Zealand's interests internationally, particularly in aviation and maritime. 

We assist the government in its relationship with the transport Crown entities to ensure they are effectively governed, and are accountable for their performance.

New Zealand Government Transport Sector diagram (PDF, 479kb) 

The government transport sector includes four Crown entities and one trust:

• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), including the Aviation Security Service (AvSec)  
• Maritime New Zealand 
• New Zealand Transport Agency 
• Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) 
• Road Safety Trust 

These agencies are responsible for the day-to-day hands on management of our daily traffic, aviation, rail and maritime activities. The roles they play, and the composition of their Boards, are set out in legislation.
 
The Ministry negotiates an annual Performance Agreement with each entity on behalf of the Minister (excluding the Road Safety Trust which operates under a trust deed); monitors the entities' performance against that agreement; and recommends appointments to the entities' governing bodies. 

The Ministry also:

• administers, on behalf of the Minister, the contract with the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd for the provision of public weather warnings and forecasts
• manages the Motor Vehicle Register (MVR) and revenue collection functions which includes the collection and refund of motor vehicle registration and licensing fees, road user charges and fuel excise duty, and the maintenance of the MVR. The NZ Transport Agency is contracted to provide these services under an agreement with the Ministry's Chief Executive.
• has responsibility for the operation of the Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Aerodrome, and oversees the Crown's interest in joint venture airports.

Note: the Ministry of Transport does not have a hands-on-role in daily traffic, aviation, rail or maritime matters.
 
For all traffic and speed camera enquiries, contact the New Zealand Police.

Read about the 2008/09 Road Policing Performance Agreement between the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Police and the Commissioner of Police.
 
For all vehicle compliance, warrant of fitness, child restraint, transport licencing, road safety, driver licencing, road user charges, motor vehicle registration and general licencing enquiries contact the NZ Transport Agency.