Connecting New Zealand – Executive Summary
Last updated on
21/02/2012 11:03 a.m.
Purpose of Connecting New Zealand
The purpose of Connecting New Zealand is to summarise for stakeholders the government’s broad policy direction for the transport sector over the next decade. It will assist stakeholders to better understand how the government sees the transport system developing over that period. Connecting New Zealand draws together the policy direction set out in a number of other guidance documents, including the National Infrastructure Plan and the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding 2012/13–2021/22 (GPS 2012).
Government’s overall objective for transport
The government is seeking an effective, efficient, safe, secure, accessible and resilient transport system that supports the growth of our country’s economy, in order to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunities for all New Zealanders.
Challenges for transport in New Zealand
New Zealand is a trading nation, but geographically we are further away from the economic centres of the world than any other developed country. To be internationally competitive, we need to improve the efficiency of our transport networks. We need to achieve this at a time when:
- our population is ageing
- people are changing where they live in New Zealand
- fuel prices are expected to remain volatile while generally increasing
- the freight task is predicted to double in the next 30 years
- international responses to issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and transport security can impose additional transport costs on our exporters
Government’s three key areas of focus for transport
To deliver on its transport objective, the government is focusing on three key areas.
Economic growth and productivity — transport has an important role to play in enabling the government’s overall goal to grow the New Zealand economy to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunities for all New Zealanders. The transport system provides connections — both domestically and internationally — for our communities and businesses, and meets the travel needs of our international tourists.
Value for money — improving the performance of the transport system is critical. The government needs to be confident that the transport sector (central and local government in particular) is delivering the right infrastructure and services to the right level, and for the best possible price.
Road safety — implementing the Safer Journeys road safety strategy and its new Safe System approach, so we have a sustained reduction in deaths and serious injuries on our roads over time.
Key government actions
The key government actions set out in Connecting New Zealand for the next decade are detailed below.
| Mode |
Key government actions |
| Road |
- Invest $36 billion in land transport over the next decade via the National Land Transport Fund. This includes $19.5 billion in State highways and $12.5 billion in subsidies for regional and local roads and public transport.
- Complete the first set of Roads of National Significance (RoNS).
- Drive greater performance and value for money from the
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
- Continued reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide from land transport over time.
|
| Rail |
- Make progress on the implementation of the KiwiRail Turnaround Plan.
- Complete $2.3 billion investment in metro rail infrastructure in Auckland and Wellington.
|
| Public transport |
- Improve efficiency in the operation of the public transport system.
- Grow public transport patronage with less reliance on subsidies.
|
| Aviation |
- Negotiate air services agreements to provide more access to key trade and tourist markets.
- Improve safety regulation in key areas, including adventure and agricultural aviation.
- Develop and promulgate a national airspace policy, and an airspace and air navigation plan.
- Drive greater performance and value for money from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service.
- Review any market barriers to trade.
|
| Maritime |
- Focus on port productivity.
- Drive greater performance and value for money from Maritime New Zealand.
- Establish a sustainable funding basis for Maritime
New Zealand.
- Improve maritime safety, by introducing a new seafarer qualifications and operational limits framework, and a new maritime operator safety system.
- Improve public information on the performance of maritime and freight transport.
|
| Road safety |
Implement the new Safe System approach, including:
- increasing the safety of young drivers
- reducing the impact of alcohol and drug-impaired drivers
- improving the safety of our roads and roadsides
- increasing the safety of motorcycling
- helping people drive to the conditions and encouraging them to comply with safe speed limits
|
<< Minister's foreword | Contents | Purpose>>