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.
Aligned with the NZTS, is Sea Change, a strategy for domestic sea freight, released on 20 May 2008 following public consultation. For a copy of Sea Change please email seachange@transport.govt.nz, providing a full postal address, or phone (04) 439 9095.
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 sea transport is Maritime New Zealand
The Ministry provides policy advice to the Minister, in collaboration with the Crown entities, including the making of transport rules.