As the government's principal transport policy adviser, the Ministry both leads and generates policy. The government's New Zealand Transport Strategy (NZTS) (PDF 1,411KB) provides the framework within which transport policy is developed.
The Ministry of Transport acts as the Minister of Transport's agent for managing the interface with the five transport Crown entities, the Aviation Security Service, the Road Safety Trust and the National Rescue Co-ordination Centre. The transport Crown entity responsible for land transport is Land Transport New Zealand.
The Ministry provides policy advice to the Minister, in collaboration with the Crown entities, including the making of transport rules.