INFRASTRUCTURE REFORM FOR BETTER ROADS

By Simon Court, ACT Party spokesperson on transport

POTHOLES, WORN-OUT SIGNAGE, inadequate markings, and outdated infrastructure contribute to accidents and traffic congestion. Moreover, neglected roads impose a financial burden on taxpayers who have to bear the costs of constant repairs and vehicle maintenance resulting from subpar road conditions.

I recently asked the (currently stood-down) Minister of Transport, Hon Michael Wood, about the maintenance of New Zealand’s road network. The response from the Minister was both revealing and concerningthat Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency, does not invest in roads at the same rate as their depreciation. This admission sheds light on a long-standing issue that successive governments have failed to address adequately.

The road network requires consistent and sustainable attention, not sporadic bursts of activity. Instead of ad-hoc initiatives, we need multi-generational work programmes that can lay the foundation for a robust and reliable transport system.

One of the key problems lies in the government’s focus on mega projects such as Auckland Light Rail, Let’s Get Wellington Moving, and the recently cancelled Waitemata Harbour bike bridge. This has diverted attention and resources from essential maintenance and upkeep of our road network. The pursuit of flashy, highprofile endeavours seems to take precedence over addressing the urgent needs of our infrastructure.

Furthermore, future projects like the Waitemata Harbour Crossing suffer from scope confusion because of poor climate policy and the Government’s obsession with reducing vehicle kilometres travelled by 20%. The focus on light rail as part of the proposal means that any replacement for the existing crossing may be decades away, rather than before the 2030 date when the existing bridge reaches the end of its lifespan.

One example of a programme that deserves more focused investment is Road to Zero. While its objectives are commendable, the unrealistic timeframes imposed by political ambition have hindered its progress.

The consequence of these rushed timelines is the wholesale reduction of speed limits, often at the expense of well-thoughtout designs that incorporate essential safety features like barriers, guardrails, and passing lanes at regular intervals. Such compromises not only affect road safety but also highlight the lack of thoughtful planning in maintaining our network effectively.

It is high time that we hold our governments accountable for their neglect of our road network. It is not enough to focus solely on grand projects and ignore the vital maintenance work required to ensure a safe and efficient transportation system. We need a comprehensive and sustainable approach that prioritises regular maintenance, strategic investments, and thoughtful planning.

Successive governments have failed to recognise the importance of maintaining our roads adequately.

ACT believes structural reform is clearly necessary to return discipline and efficiency to infrastructure delivery in New Zealand. ACT would start by establishing a new independent state-owned enterprise, Highways New Zealand, which would own and operate New Zealand’s state highway network. It would also construct any new state highways and conduct maintenance and improvements on existing highways.

Highways New Zealand would be expected to be operationally self-funding out of user fees, including delivering a return on invested capital to the Government. It would be incentivised to deliver projects promptly and affordably, because delays and costoverruns would harm underlying profitability and, executive compensation.

That means roading managers who fail to deliver on time and maintain safe roads could have their pay docked under a Government with ACT at the Cabinet table.

Our infrastructure reforms subject investment to real discipline and enable proper pricing. That will allow taxpayers to get more bang for their buck and for more funding to emerge through innovative financing mechanisms. It is a practical prescription for progress. T&D