Home > Plan topics > Land transport >

Land Transport Agencies

The Ministry of Transport (MoT)

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is responsible for developing national transport policy and related legislation. MoT acts as the Minister of Transport 's agent for managing the interface with the five Crown transport entities (Land Transport New Zealand, Transit New Zealand, Maritime New Zealand, Civil Aviation Authority, ONTRACK), as well as the Aviation Security Service, the Road Safety Trust and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

In collaboration with Transit NZ and Land Transport NZ, the MoT provides policy advice to the Minister of Transport, including the development of transport rules. To ensure that the transport system is developed in a sustainable manner MoT also assumes a primary leadership role in managing the environmental and public health impacts of transport.

Land Transport New Zealand (Land Transport NZ)

Land Transport NZ allocates funds to Transit NZ, regional councils and district councils in a way that contributes to "an integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system". Funding is provided for:

• maintenance and construction of infrastructure
• passenger transport
• alternatives to roading
• projects that support regional development
• promotion of walking and cycling.

Land Transport NZ also administers and regulates land transport safety, and can develop land transport regulations to manage land transport safety in New Zealand.

It also has an important role in promoting land transport safety and sustainability. The functions include managing access to safe and sustainable transport on land through:

• licensing and regulation
• monitoring and communicating information
• funding development and operation
• administering an extensive research programme for the transport sector.

A more comprehensive outline of Land Transport NZ 's role in land use and transportation can be found in the document - Participation in land use and transport planning process (PDF 347 KB).

Transit New Zealand (Transit NZ)

Transit NZ is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the state highway system. Section 77(1) of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 requires Transit:

"…to operate the State highway system in a way that contributes to an integrated, safe, responsive, and sustainable land transport system."

To achieve this, Transit NZ must exhibit a sense of social and environmental responsibility. Its role in land use planning includes (refer to the Transit NZ website for further information):

• planning transport networks (roads, rail, passenger transport, cycling, walking) that more effectively connect land use and transport
• developing and promoting a functional hierarchy of roads at national, regional and local levels
• recognising that state highways are at the top of the road hierarchy and ensuring they perform their strategic function in the best way possible
• ensuring Transit is fully involved at the beginning of local authority planning processes and individual development proposals to ensure that integrated land use and transport solutions are promoted
• ensuring Transit is considered as an affected party where land use developments generate traffic onto or near state highways
• requiring sensitive developments adjacent to state highways to take precautions to mitigate traffic noise and other pollution-related effects associated with use of the highway.

Under the Transit New Zealand Act 1989 (TNZ Act), Transit NZ is able to limit access to and from a state highway. Where access to a state highway is sought their permission is required (along with that of the Minister) before any land fronting a limited access road can be subdivided or developed.

Transit is the key player in the protection, development and upgrading of state highways. It has developed a range of policy documents that should be considered when district plans are being prepared, particularly its updated Planning Policy Manual and its corridor plans and strategies.

ONTRACK

ONTRACK owns and maintains the railway infrastructure, following the Crown 's repurchase of the network from Toll Holdings in September 2004. Within this framework, ONTRACK contributes to the development of detailed programmes and strategies that are required to achieve the objectives contained within the National Rail Strategy.

ONTRACK also administers related technical standards for railways (eg, Sightline Restrictions at Railway Level Crossings). These can be used to provide a basis for establishing rules in district plans.

Regional Councils

Regional and unitary councils are responsible for preparing regional policy statements and plans and, through regional land transport committees, preparing regional land transport strategies. They are also responsible for administering public transport funding within their areas, and for preparing passenger transport plans.

City/District Councils

Apart from being responsible for preparing and administering district plans, cities and districts also maintain and develop local roads and walking and cycling facilities, prepare travel demand management programmes (eg, parking) and initiate strategic transport-related land purchases and development. City and district councils (along with their regional and unitary equivalents) have an important role in identifying community outcomes, including those with transport implications, and gaining stakeholder input into planning town centres and corridors. In addition councils contribute to the development of regional strategies, policies and plans.

Other organisations involved in transportation

A number of other bodies or organisations need to be considered when developing transportation provisions for resource management policies and plans. These include:

• Auckland Regional Transport Authority - its role is to plan, fund, develop and operate a regional land transport system that contributes to an integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transport solution for the Auckland region. Specifically ARTA is charged with producing a 10-year Land Transport Programme that includes all transport modes within the region, as well as its own specific activities and projects. The programme covers public transport as well as roads and transport activities planned by local councils. On a day-to-day basis, ARTA carries out the planning and funding of public transport, promotes alternative ways to get around Auckland, and coordinates and integrates transport across the region.
• Environment Risk Management Authority (ERMA) - the regulatory body that sets the standards and controls to manage the handling and transportation of hazardous goods and substances in New Zealand.
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) - the main body responsible for helping to deliver the Government 's energy efficiency agenda. Its function is to encourage, promote and support energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources. It has developed the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy in conjunction with the Ministry for the Environment. Under s12(5) of the Land Transport Management Act, land transport programmes need to take into account the provisions of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.
• The New Zealand Police - enforce controls on the transportation of hazardous substances, particularly petrol, LPG and industrial chemicals. The police promote and enforce road safety and also monitor noisy cars and smoky vehicles.
• Road user groups (including NZ Road Transport Association and NZ Automobile Association) - provide user views and advocate sector concerns, particularly regarding safety and the development of roads.
• Road and rail transport operators --- passenger transport operators (eg, bus companies) and freight operators (for the distribution of goods) provide transport services that need to be accommodated in district plans. Toll Rail operates a nationwide rail transport service.