Budget 2026: transport initiatives

Through Budget 2026, the Government has confirmed a $3.358 billion investment in transport initiatives, including a new Road of National Significance, state highway resilience, and maintenance and renewals on both the metro and rail freight networks.

Transport initiatives include:

·         $2.173 billion to progress the Cambridge to Piarere Road of National Significance ($1.773 billion), and to invest in state highway roading resilience ($400 million)

·         $106.9 million to provide one year of additional funding for metropolitan rail overdue renewals in Auckland and Wellington

·         $1.075 billion to support rail activities including the maintenance, operation and renewal of the national rail network through the Rail Network Investment Programme 2027–2030

·         $2.5 million to strengthen stewardship of underground assets in infrastructure corridors

·         $600,000 for memberships of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the International Maritime Organisation, and the World Meteorological Organisation.