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What consideration did officials give to public interest in transparency when deciding whether to support withholding affordability and value-for-money advice related to the Roads of National Significance programme? and 1 other question

Answered 927, 937 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 927

    What consideration did officials give to public interest in transparency when deciding whether to support withholding affordability and value-for-money advice related to the Roads of National Significance programme?

  • 937

    What criteria were applied when determining that the public interest did not outweigh withholding key information about Roads of National Significance, which the Ministry of Transport has described as “the most complex and expensive infrastructure programme in New Zealand’s recent history”?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

Officials recognise that there is high public interest in the Roads of National Significance programme, and this is carefully considered in responses to requests under the Official Information Act. In some cases, information needs to be withheld, particularly where it relates to decisions that are currently being considered by Ministers, or where the information is commercially sensitive. I am currently considering advice in relation to the next steps for funding and delivering the RONS programme and will have more to say about that in due course. Investment cases for the RONS programme have been proactively published on NZTA’s website, and more information will be released as work continues to progress.