Further to WPQ 28022, has the Minister asked Waka Kotahi to provide him with any options for safety‑infrastructure improvements on the Desert Road; if not, why not?

Answer

I have not asked NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) for options on safety infrastructure improvements on the Desert Road. NZTA is responsible for assessing safety risks on state highways and determining the appropriate safety interventions, including infrastructure improvements, within available funding and the priorities set through the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) and the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). As Minister of Transport, my role is to set the overall policy direction and investment priorities for the land transport system through the GPS, rather than direct individual operational assessments or safety treatments on specific corridors. Safety is a strategic priority in the GPS, and I would encourage anyone advocating for roading improvements to continue engaging with NZTA in good faith to help build a case for potential investment in the future.