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Showing 1 to 50 of 1461 written question sets.

Answered

Question 41480 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What Regulatory Impact Statement, if any, has been prepared for the agricultural drone regulatory changes announced on 20 August 2026, what is its title and date, and what exemption under any Cabinet Office circular, if any, has been…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

No Regulatory Impact Statement was prepared. The pathway will be given effect through amendments to Civil Aviation Rules. The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are undertaking detailed…

Answered

Question 41367 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, documents or briefings has the Minister had, if any, on the Greater Christchurch Mass Rapid Transport project, by name and date?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I have received the following briefing from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi that includes a section on the Greater Christchurch Mass Rapid Transit project: BRI-3270 – Meeting with Mayor Mauger and Canterbury Mayoral Forum – 26 February…

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Question 41008 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many reported unauthorised occurrences involving unmanned aircraft used for agricultural purposes have been recorded by the Civil Aviation Authority in each of the last five financial years, broken down by occurrence type, and how many…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

Prior to the Act implementation (5 April 2025), occurrences by commercial unmanned operations were not generally reported to the Authority. Where an operator's status is known to be unauthorised for agricultural drone work at the time of…

Answered

Question 41015 (2026)

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Asked by

Julie Anne Genter

Member for Rongotai · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister received any official advice or analysis of the environmental impact before concluding that Part 102 certification and pilot licensing could be removed without increasing environmental risk, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

On 30 June 2026, I received advice from the Ministry of Transport on policy options for better enabling agricultural drone operations, including the risks and benefits of using agricultural drones (OC260481 Civil Aviation Rules: Policy…

Answered

41016, 41017, 41020 (2026)

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Asked by

Julie Anne Genter

Member for Rongotai · Green Party

Questions

  • 41016 (matches this search)

    Did the Minister receive any advice or evidence that replacing certification with notification for aerial application by agricultural drones would present no greater environmental risk than agrichemical application using tractors or…

  • 41017 (matches this search)

    Which agencies with responsibility for environmental protection, conservation, waterways, and agrichemicals, if any, were consulted on the environmental consequences of replacing certification with notification for agricultural drone…

  • 41020 (matches this search)

    What reports, briefings, aide-memoires, or other written advice, if any, did the Minister receive before 20 August 2026 regarding the environmental effects of replacing Part 102 certification with a notification-only pathway for…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

The Ministry of Transport consulted with the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry for the Environment, the Department of Conservation, and the Environmental Protection Authority in June 2026. These agencies noted that spray drift…

Answered

Question 41018 (2026)

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Asked by

Julie Anne Genter

Member for Rongotai · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assessment, if any, was undertaken on whether removing operator-specific certification (UAOC) could increase the risk of agrichemical drift or incorrect application affecting adjoining conservation land, waterways, wetlands, native…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

These matters are being considered by the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority as part of detailed policy and rule design. Officials are engaging with industry as part of the rule making…

Answered

Question 41019 (2026)

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Asked by

Julie Anne Genter

Member for Rongotai · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What environmental impact assessment, if any, compared the safeguards provided through Part 102 certification with those proposed under the notification-only pathway, and what did that assessment conclude?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

I refer the Member to my response to Written Parliamentary Question 41019 (2026).

Answered

40908, 40909, 40930 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 40908 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has he received on the interaction between the notification pathway for agricultural drone operations announced on 20 August 2026 and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, the Agricultural Compounds and…

  • 40909 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has he received on whether the notification pathway for agricultural drone operations announced on 20 August 2026 is consistent with New Zealand's obligations under international civil aviation conventions, as referred…

  • 40930 (matches this search)

    What written advice, if any, has he received identifying safety risks arising from permitting agricultural drone operations on the basis of prior notification to the Civil Aviation Authority, as announced in his statement of 20 August 2026…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

OC260481: Civil Aviation Rules: Policy options for better enabling agricultural spraying drone operations, Ministry of Transport, 30 June 2026.

Answered

8 questions (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 40915 (2026), 40916 (2026), 40917 (2026), 40926 (2026)

  • 40910 (matches this search)

    What quantified estimate, if any, does he hold of the costs of the agricultural drone regulatory changes announced on 20 August 2026, including the cost to the Civil Aviation Authority of receiving and monitoring notifications,…

  • 40911 (matches this search)

    What quantified estimate, if any, does he hold of the economic or productivity benefits of the agricultural drone regulatory changes announced on 20 August 2026, and what is the source, author and date of that estimate?

  • 40912 (matches this search)

    What maximum mass will apply to drones operating under the notification pathway for agricultural drone operations announced on 20 August 2026, what operations will be permitted beyond visual line of sight, at night, in controlled airspace,…

  • 40914 (matches this search)

    What assessment, if any, has been undertaken of the aviation knowledge and operational competency needed to conduct agricultural drone operations safely, what qualification, training or demonstrated competency will operators be required to…

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  • 40915 (matches this search)

    What evidence, if any, has he received that persons holding no aviation certificate or licence possess the knowledge and competency required for aerial agrichemical application, aircraft systems, airspace, meteorology, flight planning and…

  • 40916 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has he received comparing the risks of agricultural drone operations with the risks of ground-based agrichemical application by tractor or other farm machinery, and what does that advice say, if anything, about risks…

  • 40917 (matches this search)

    What risk assessment, if any, has been undertaken of agricultural drone operations conducted without a Civil Aviation Rule Part 102 certificate, including of conflict with crewed aircraft operating at low level such as agricultural…

  • 40926 (matches this search)

    What cost-benefit analysis of enabling agricultural drone use, if any, has been commissioned or completed since the Ministry for Regulation's aide-mémoire MFR2026-026 of 10 February 2026 advised that such an analysis was feasible, by whom…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

These matters are being considered by the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority as part of detailed policy and rule design. Officials are engaging with industry as part of the rule making…

Answered

Question 40913 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the source of his statement of 20 August 2026 that certification for lower-risk routine drone operations "can take up to nine months and cost thousands of dollars", and what were the median and longest processing times, and the…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

OC260481 Civil Aviation Rules: Policy options for better enabling agricultural spraying drone operations, Ministry of Transport, 30 June 2026. Median Processing Time (working days): FY23/34: 353 FY24/25: 229 FY25/26: 174 Longest Processing…

Answered

Question 40918 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What meeting regarding agricultural drone regulation, if any, took place between him and the Agricultural Drone Association in the two weeks before 20 August 2026, on what date, who attended, and what record or aide-mémoire was prepared,…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

I met with the President of the Agricultural Drone Association on 6 August 2026. The meeting was attended by a Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport official. OC260619: Meeting with the Agricultural Drone Association,…

Answered

Question 40919 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When were the Aviation Industry Association's concerns regarding the agricultural drone regulatory changes announced on 20 August 2026, including that agricultural drone operation is "not a low-risk activity that lends itself to hasty…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

Officials met with the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand on 8 June 2026 during development of policy options for better enabling agricultural drone operations. The 30 June 2026 briefing from the Ministry of Transport included a…

Answered

Question 40920 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What meetings or consultations regarding regulatory options for agricultural drone operations, if any, took place between him, his officials, or the Civil Aviation Authority and each of the following before 20 August 2026, and on what…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

Officials from the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority engaged with the following industry bodies during development of the 30 June 2026 advice on policy options for better enabling agricultural drone operations: •…

Answered

Question 40921 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When was the Technical Advisory Group for the agricultural drone project under the Civil Aviation Rules Update Programme established, by whom, who are its members, and what are its terms of reference?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that the Civil Aviation Authority sent an invitation to join the Technical Advisory Group on 21 August 2026. The invitation was sent to individuals who expressed an interest in joining the group. I do not believe it is in the…

Answered

Question 40922 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What matters is the Technical Advisory Group for the agricultural drone project under the Civil Aviation Rules Update Programme asked to provide advice on, and what matters relating to the regulation of agricultural drone operations is it…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that the Technical Advisory Group has been asked to provide technical expertise, operational knowledge and practical industry experience on agricultural drone operations, which will inform the detailed policy and rule design…

Answered

Question 40923 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What decisions, if any, had he taken regarding the use of a notification pathway for agricultural drone operations, the removal of Civil Aviation Rule Part 102 certification requirements, and pilot licensing requirements, before the…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

On 30 June 2026, I received OC260481 Civil Aviation Rules: Policy options for better enabling agricultural spraying drone operations. I then publicly announced my policy decision to create a notification pathway for standard agricultural…

Answered

Question 40924 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which Ministers agreed to the agricultural drone regulatory changes announced on 20 August 2026, on what date, and under what authority, if those changes were not the subject of a Cabinet or Cabinet committee decision?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

I made the policy decision to create a notification pathway for standard agricultural drone operations as the responsible portfolio Minister. Amendments to Civil Aviation Rules are required to enable the notification pathway. The Ministry…

Answered

Question 40925 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, has Cabinet or any Cabinet committee considered relating to the regulation of agricultural drone operations, what is the title and date of each, and what is the reference number of any resulting minute?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 40927 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What regulatory options for agricultural drone operations other than a notification pathway were assessed by officials, if any, including targeted changes to Civil Aviation Rule Parts 101 and 102 thresholds, a class exemption under…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

The options in the advice I received on 30 June were a streamlined certification pathway, a notification pathway, open access (no certification or notification required) and process improvements.

Answered

Question 40928 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When, and on the basis of what advice, if any, was a notification pathway for agricultural drone operations adopted in place of broader reform of Civil Aviation Rule Part 137, which the Ministry for Regulation's aide-mémoire MFR2026-026 of…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

Reform of agricultural drone rules is being progressed as part of the two-year Civil Aviation Rules Update Programme that I announced in April 2026. The Programme comprises 24 priority rule projects selected for their potential to improve…

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Question 40929 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What written advice, if any, has he received from the Director of Civil Aviation regarding the agricultural drone regulatory changes announced on 20 August 2026, on what date was it received, and did that advice support the approach…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 40931 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What reports, briefings, aide-mémoire or other written advice concerning regulatory options for agricultural drone operations did he receive between 1 April 2025 and 20 August 2026 from the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry for Cities,…

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

OC250596 Advanced Aviation – Amendments to the Civil Aviation (Offences) Regulations, Ministry of Transport, 3 September 2025 OC250962 Civil Aviation Rule Part 101, 102, and 107 amendments for your signature, Ministry of Transport, 4…

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Question 40664 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

As Minister of Transport, I regularly request and receive advice from officials on a range of matters. MCERT and NZTA publish monthly lists of titles of advice provided to me (refer to…

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Question 40665 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

The titles and dates of briefings received from the Ministry of Transport are or will soon be proactively released here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/about-us/our-corporate-publications/proactive-releases/results. CAA: One title is…

Answered

Question 40774 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 7 September 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 40776 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 7 September 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

As Minister of Transport, I took one paper to Cabinet in the week beginning 7 September 2026: Auckland Regional Transport Committee: Appointments (7 September 2026)

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Question 40879 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, briefings or documents has the Minister had, if any, on the safety of digital billboards installed beside roads and does he believe that Councils should follow similar guidance as that provided in the September 2026 Digital…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I have not received any advice, briefings or documents that are within the scope of this question. I expect that everyone, including Councils, follows all guidance that applies to our roads.

Answered

Question 40245 (2026)

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Asked by

Scott Willis

List MP · Green Party

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    What advice, briefings, reports or any other document, if any, has the Minister received on electric freight options for New Zealand, since March 27, 2026, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

Since 27 March 2026, I have not received any advice on electric freight options for New Zealand.

Answered

Question 40246 (2026)

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Asked by

Scott Willis

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    He has requested or received advice on increasing electric vehicle uptake since March 27, if so, what was the substance of any advice?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

Since 27 March 2026, I have received advice on mechanisms to improve availability and uptake of EVs in New Zealand, including the Clean Vehicle Standard and novated leases, and advice on EV Charging Infrastructure which can lead to…

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Question 40414 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the reply to written question 37886 (2026), has he been informed of Ferry Holdings Ltd's review into its procurement practices; if so, on what date and by whom, and does he agree with the statement in the reply to written…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

The Minister for Rail is the lead minister for the ferry replacement programme. He has already advised you through his response to Written Parliamentary Question 35235 (2026) that shareholding Ministers will be briefed on the review after…

Answered

Question 40226 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

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  • (matches this search)

    What advice, briefings, reports or correspondence has the Minister had, if any, on the roading maintenance and/or rates impacts of lowering the Financial Assistance Rate for Councils?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I have not received any advice, briefings or reports on the impacts that lowering Funding Assistance Rates (FARs) may have on councils' road maintenance programmes or rates. I have, however, received one item of correspondence from a…

Answered

Question 40227 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has been made of the additional cost to the responsible council of any reduction in the New Zealand Transport Agency funding assistance rate applying to a special purpose road over the 2027-30 National Land Transport…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) cannot provide estimates of the additional cost to the responsible council of a reduction in Funding Assistance Rate applying to a Special Purpose Road over the 2027-30 National Land…

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Question 40228 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What decisions, if any, have been made about the New Zealand Transport Agency funding assistance rates that will apply to special purpose roads after 30 June 2030, and when does the Minister expect any remaining decisions to be made?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has not made any decisions on funding assistance rates that will apply to special purpose roads after 30 June 2030. I would expect NZTA to make those decisions prior to 30 June 2030.

Answered

Question 40229 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which roads, if any, are classified as special purpose roads, being roads that receive a New Zealand Transport Agency funding assistance rate set separately from the responsible council's normal rate, and what rate applies to each, broken…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

The information sought by the Member is publicly available at:…

Answered

Question 40230 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many kilometres of local road, sealed and unsealed, is each approved organisation responsible for maintaining, and how many rating units are within each district, broken down by organisation and by road surface type?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

"I am advised that information on the number of kilometres of local roads, including sealed and unsealed roads, maintained by each council road controlling authority (RCA) is reported to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi by RCAs. This…

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Question 39692 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much does the NZ Transport Agency expect to spend on external professional services for the Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway and Port Marsden Highway to Whangārei sections in each of 2026/27 and 2027/28, if any, and what proportion of…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved $111m of pre-implementation funding for Sections 2A (Te Hana to south of the Brynderwyns) and 2B (Brynderwyn Hills) in Financial Year (FY) 2026/27 and FY2027/28. Of this, approximately…

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Question 39693 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to Reply 34402 (2026), which advised that no decision has been made on a procurement model for the sections beyond Warkworth to Te Hana, how much, if any, has the NZ Transport Agency spent or committed on external commercial,…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

The procurement model is decided when approving the detailed business case for a project, in accordance with the Treasury’s Better Business Case framework. A detailed business case called the Alternative to the Brynderwyns Implementation…

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Question 39694 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    Further to Reply 34451 (2026), which recorded $27.7 million in legal services and advice for Warkworth to Te Hana, how much, if any, has the NZ Transport Agency spent on external legal services for the Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway and…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that as at 31 August 2026, $1.825m has been spent on external legal services for Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway and Port Marsden Highway to Whangarei since 27 November 2023. Chapman Tripp and Bell Gully have provided these…

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Question 39695 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    What did the Northland Corridor investment case referred to in Reply 66207 (2024) cost to produce, broken down by NZ Transport Agency internal costs and external professional services, and which firms were engaged?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

The Corridor Investment Case was completed in September 2024 and updated in December 2024 with an addendum. I am advised the external professional services costs to develop this business case were approximately $4.3m. Firms engaged were…

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Question 39696 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, has the NZ Transport Agency spent on external professional services for the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills, including preparation of the statutory approvals application referred to in Reply 34402 (2026), broken down…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that NZTA has spent a total of $40,233,751 between 1 July 2025 and 31 August 2026, which includes: • Legal: $757,659 • Planning & Consenting: $2,830,941 • Engineering & Design: $17,040,699 • Geotechnical: $18,892,576 • Other…

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Question 39697 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    Of the $42.8 million in technical services recorded in Reply 34451 (2026), what proportion relates to geotechnical investigation data that has been provided to the Northway consortium, and did the consortium pay any amount for that data or…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

Approximately 40% ($17.5 million) of the $42.8m relates to geotechnical investigation, including all testing and associated professional services. The resulting geotechnical data was provided to all three Respondents during the RFP phase…

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Question 39698 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    What is the NZ Transport Agency's forecast annual client-side cost of managing the Warkworth to Te Hana Project Agreement over the 25-year operational period referred to in Reply 34979 (2026), and how much of that cost is expected to be…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

The forecast annual client-side costs during the 25-year operational period (2033-2057) have not yet been developed. I am advised that a budget will be developed closer to the time.

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Question 39699 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    How much, if any, did the NZ Transport Agency pay external advisers to prepare the Public Sector Comparator and value-for-money assessment for the Warkworth to Te Hana public-private partnership, and which firms were engaged?

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Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

Firms were engaged to provide a range of services across the development of the Warkworth to Te Hana investment case and procurement process, including the development of the Public Sector Comparator (PSC). I am advised NZTA does not hold…

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Question 39700 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    Further to Reply 34450 (2026), has the bid cost reimbursement for the two unsuccessful Warkworth to Te Hana bidders now been finalised; if so, what amount was paid to each and on what date, and if not, when is finalisation expected?

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Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

No. I am advised that NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) expects to reimburse the two unsuccessful respondents in October 2026.

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Question 39701 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    What is the total contract value and term of the independent reviewer contract awarded to Tūtahi Joint Venture for the Warkworth to Te Hana public-private partnership, and is that cost borne by the NZ Transport Agency, the Northway…

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Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that the contract value is $40,497,510 and the term is 9 years and 7 months. Costs are shared evenly between NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Northway.

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Question 39702 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    Is the $98 million in external professional services costs recorded in Reply 34451 (2026) included within the $3.649 billion net present value cost of the Warkworth to Te Hana project referred to in Reply 34979 (2026), or is it additional…

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Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

The cost of professional services required to develop the project and to prepare and run a PPP procurement are in addition to the cost of designing and delivering the project.

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Question 39703 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    Which external advisers engaged by the NZ Transport Agency on the Warkworth to Te Hana public-private partnership are also engaged on the Te Hana to Whangārei sections of the Northland Corridor, if any, and what ringfencing arrangements of…

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Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I am advised that the following external advisors who were engaged by NZTA on the Warkworth to Te Hana project are engaged by NZTA to support the development of other sections of the Northland corridor: Aurecon New Zealand and WSP New…

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Question 39704 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    Which ten external suppliers have been paid the most for consultancy, engineering, legal, financial or advisory services in relation to the Northland Corridor programme since 27 November 2023, and what is the total paid to each?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

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Question 39705 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    What is the total value paid or payable to Arup, Tonkin & Taylor and Bureau Veritas, whether individually or through Tūtahi Joint Venture, for services in relation to any section of the Northland Corridor since 27 November 2023, broken…

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Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

I refer the Member to my reply to 39701 (2026) for the amount payable to the Tūtahi Joint Venture. I am advised that NZTA has paid $4.9 million to Arup since the Northland Corridor project was established in 2024. NZTA has not paid Tonkin…

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Question 39706 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    Are any external advisers engaged on the Northland Corridor programme remunerated on a success-fee, contingent or milestone basis; if so, which advisers, what milestones apply, and what is the total value of such fees paid or payable to…

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

No.