Ngā waka rori Road transport

Nearly 100% of the state highway network and two-thirds of the local roading network are sealed. Chipseal is the most common type of road surface in New Zealand. Economical, flexible and hardwearing, it provides an adaptable, cost-effective and safe surface for road users.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regularly monitors all chipseal surfaces to make sure they continue to perform at their best.

Waikato has the most extensive state highway network at 1,715km or 16% of the network, however, Canterbury has the most extensive local road network at 14,636km or 17% of the network.

Since 2007/08 the length of sealed urban road has increased 12%, while the length of sealed rural road has increased about 2%.

A significant share of local roads in rural New Zealand remain unsealed. The Southland District has the longest length of unsealed local roads (3,004 km), while the Clutha District has the second longest length of unsealed local roads (2,056 km).