Regional Transport Committee

5 August 2025

Regional Transport Committee Minutes

Meeting held in the Council Chamber

36 Water Street, Whangārei

on Tuesday 5 August 2025, commencing at 10:30 am - 12:30pm

Tuhinga/Present:

Chairperson - NRC Councillor, Joe Carr

Deputy Chairperson - NRC Councillor, John Blackwell

WDC Councillor, Simon Reid

Waka Kotahi alternate, Kathryn King

KiwiRail Programme Director Northland, Eric Hennephof

I Tae Mai/In Attendance:

Full Meeting

FNDC Alternate, Cr Ann Court

KDC Alternate, Cr Rachael Willams (online)

FNDC Chief Executive, Guy Holroyd (online)

NRC Group Manager - Community Resilience, Louisa Gritt

WDC GM – Infrastructure, Jim Sephton (online)

NRC Transport Manager, Chris Powell

FNDC Representative, Rob Gilmore

WDC Programme Manager - Road Safety Promotion, Nicole Korach

WDC Transportation Strategy and Planning Lead - Nick Marshall

Automobile Association, Tracey Rissetto

Part Meeting

FNDC Finance Manager, Charlie Billing (online)

NZ Police Inspector, John Fagan (arrived 11.09am)

The Chair declared the meeting open at 10.30am.

Ngā Mahi Whakapai/Housekeeping (Item 1.0)

Ngā whakapahā/Apologies (Item 2.0)

Moved (Carr / Blackwell)

That the apologies from FNDC Cr Steve McNally, KDC Cr Ash Nayyar and Waka Kotahi Director Regional Relationships, Steve Mutton for non-attendance be received.

Carried

Secretarial notes: Apologies were noted for the following: Cr Robinson, Cr Macdonald, Cr Craw, Cr Halse, Kayla Gunson, Mat Tucker

Nga whakapuakanga/Declarations of Conflicts of Interest (Item 3.0)

It was advised that members should make declarations item-by-item as the meeting progressed.

Confirmation of Minutes - 10 June 2025 (Item 4.1)

Report from Haylee Labelle, Personal Assistant Community Resilience

Moved (Reid / Blackwell)

That the minutes of the Regional Transport Committee meeting held on 10 June 2025, be confirmed as a true and correct record and that these be duly authenticated by the Chair.

Carried

Secretarial notes: A correction was made to the minutes to amend the rail line name Southdown line not the southbound line. The chair provided apologies that he had received an update report from FNDC but this was not circulated to the members.

Receipt of Action Sheet (Item 5.1)

Report from Haylee Labelle, Personal Assistant Community Resilience

Moved (Reid / Carr)

That the action sheet be received.

Carried

Regional Land Transport Plan 2021/2027 - National Funding Assistance Uptake Report (Item 6.1)

Report from Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council

Moved (Blackwell / Reid)

That the report ‘Regional Land Transport Plan 2021/2027 - National Funding Assistance Uptake Report’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council and dated 15 July 2025, be received.

Carried

Secretarial notes: Charlie Billington discussed the implementation of a hybrid model for transport services, with interim resourcing provided by Stellar and Rob Gilmore to ensure continuity of services. He highlighted the reallocation of financial management and reporting tasks internally to cover immediate deliverables while the hybrid model is being implemented.

FNDC discussed the accuracy of the RAM data and the need for contractors to retrospectively update the database to ensure accurate asset management and compliance with contract agreements . Their audit of the RAM data revealed discrepancies between the north and south regions, leading to notices being issued to contractors to update the database.

Road Controlling Authority Reports (Item 7.1)

Report from Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council

Moved (Carr / Williams)

That the report ‘Road Controlling Authority Reports’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council and dated 3 July 2025, be received.

Carried

Secretarial notes: Cr Williams discussed the changes to the development contributions policy in Kaipara, which will allocate funds for upgrading local roads under pressure from growth she also commented on the positive impact of having Downer as the lead contractor, highlighting their comprehensive maintenance plan and the benefits of their monthly briefings.

She also discussed the NZTA funding for walking and cycling projects, with a focus on the Mangawhai shared path and other cycleway projects in Kaipara.

NZTA Waka Kotahi Update for Te Tai Tokerau (Item 7.2)

Report from Steve Mutton, NZTA - Director Regional Relationships, Te Tai Tokerau me Tāmaki Makaurau

Moved (Reid / Court)

That the report ‘NZTA Waka Kotahi Update for Te Tai Tokerau’ by Steve Mutton, NZTA - Director Regional Relationships, Te Tai Tokerau me Tāmaki Makaurau and dated 2 July 2025, be received.

Carried

Secretarial notes: Northland Corridor work continues to move at pace. The Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway & Port Marsden to Whangarei Investment Case is going to the NZTA board this week for endorsement. Discussed two day full weekend closures of the Brynderwyns Hills for resurfacing work to be completed and the need to coordinate these dates with the RCAs to ensure they do not overlap with other work in the area. Discussed the detailed business case underway for the Mangakahia Bridge. Confirmed the planned average speed safety camera install work is underway on Kaitaia-Awaroa Road. Noted the first time inclusion of the funding position for Northland in the meeting pack, this provides a picture of full spend across the region ($155.7M), highlighted the large carryover of $25.1M for emergency works carried to this year. Noted that the graphs provided are for the  full 3-year funding period. Noted that if Councils do not use their funding, they might lose it.

RTC shared observations that the network has been under stress this winter. The chair would appreciate information on the FAR rate from NZTA so that there are no surprises. The chair shared a desire for Northland to be on the list for a visit from the specialised vehicles unit that assess the roads (TSD/iPave). It was noted that Councils have the FAR discussion with NZTA individually but it does come back to the RTC (Kevin Wright, NZTA) said he would make contact with each RCA.

Actions:

1. NZTA to provide either a written update or a verbal update to the RTC regarding the investigation and status of Mangakahia Bridge 

2. NZTA to advise if Councils are able to apply for more funding if they have used all of their allocated funds

KiwiRail Update (Item 7.3)

Report from Eric Hennephof, KiwiRail - Programme Director Northland

Moved (Hennephof /Carr)

That the report ‘KiwiRail Update’ by Eric Hennephof, KiwiRail - Programme Director Northland and dated 2 July 2025, be received.

Carried

Secretarial notes: Mentioned the submission of the detailed business case to the Minister of Rail, highlighting the efforts of Eric's team in preparing the reference design and cost estimates. KiwiRail has submitted approval for designation change and bridge design to WDC. A press release was circulated to members following the meeting and is linked here northland-boosted-with-jet-fuel-tank-dry-dock-rail-link

Actions:

1. KiwiRail to provide the RTC with an updated long plot of the reference design and a set of drawings outlining Geotech and civil works for the rail project

Regional Road Safety Report (Item 7.4)

Report from Nicole Cauty, Road Safety Project Manager and Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council

Moved (Reid / Blackwell)

That the report ‘Regional Road Safety Report’ by, Nicole Cauty, Road Safety Project Manager and Nick Marshall, Transportation Strategy & Planning Lead, dated 21 July 2025, be received.

Carried

Secretarial notes: Road Safety Project Manager drew attention to the upcoming road safety campaigns outlined in the report and emphasised the decrease in fatalities from 21 at this time last year to 8 now. Inspector John Fagan (NZ Police) introduced himself and provided an update on police enforcement activities, highlighting the increase in breath tests with over 170,000 undertaken in the past year alongside 22,000 speed tickets issued to improve road safety. John mentioned that police staffing levels are very good, with full staffing expected in the Far North soon, ensuring a strong presence on the roads. The RTC reiterated they are impressed with the progress achieved in road safety.

Committee Members Priorities and Updates (Item 7.5)

Report from Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council and Kayla Gunson, Regional Transport Coordinator

Moved (Reid / Blackwell)

1. That the report ‘Committee Members Priorities and Updates’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council and Kayla Gunson, Regional Transport Coordinator and dated 21 July 2025, be received.

Carried

Secretarial notes: Members reflected on the achievements of the over the past term, highlighting the improvements in road maintenance and the collaborative efforts of the members. Discussed future plans, including the need for continued focus on basic road maintenance and the importance of securing funding for resilience projects.

The chair gave thanks to members of the committee, to staff at NRC for support to the committee, to NZTA for their response to the RLTP bid. Acknowledged the work Steve Mutton has done for Northland and Jack Hansby for the visits organised which had significant educational value.

Actions:

1. To ensure that an RTC meeting takes place before Christmas

2. Secretary to cancel the September RTC meeting and workshop but keep a diary placeholder for members in case an emergency meeting is needed

Whakamutunga (Conclusion)

The meeting concluded at 12:00pm.

Confirmed as a true and correct record:

Chair Joe Carr

Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Gibbard

(In accordance with Standing Order 28.4 ‘Minutes of the last meeting before election’ – The Chief Executive and the relevant Chairpersons must sign the minutes of the last meeting of the local authority before the next election of members)