Agenda of Regional Transport Committee - Thursday, 30 April 2026

Regional Transport Committee item: 6.1

30 April 2026

TITLE:	Retrospective Approval of Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway Tolling Submission
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience, on 13 April 2026

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report introduces the submission compiled on behalf of the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) on the New Zealand Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi proposal to toll the Road of National Significance State Highway 1 Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway.

Due to the submission having to be forwarded prior to this RTC meeting, a recommendation is made to provide retrospective approval for the Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway Tolling submission.

Recommendation(s)

1. That the report ‘Retrospective Approval of Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway Tolling Submission’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council and dated 17 March 2026, be received.

2. That the Regional Transport Committee retrospectively approve the Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway Tolling submission.

Options

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	That the RTC approve the Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway Tolling submission.	The RTC advocates as a united body for the completion of the Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway project.	None.
2	That the RTC does not approve the Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway Tolling submission.	None.	The RTC withdraws the submission and potentially loses the opportunity to regionally advocate for the completion of the Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway project.

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1

Considerations

1. Alignment to council strategic direction - community outcomes

The matters covered in this report relate to the following community outcomes:

☐ Protected and flourishing native life	☐ Healthy waters, land and air
☒ Safe and resilient transport networks	☒ A sustainable, innovative and equitable economy
☐ Meaningful partnerships with tāngata whenua	☐ Carbon neutral, resilient communities in a changing climate
☐ Efficient, progressive and transparent council systems

As this is an administrative matter Climate Impact, Environmental Impact, Community Views, Māori Impact Statement, Financial Implications and Implementation issues are not applicable

Background/Tuhinga

On 16^th March 2026, the NZTA opened the consultation phase for the proposed tolling of the Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway.

Details pertaining to the project, proposed tolling and consultation can be sourced through the following link: - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/northland-corridor/tolling-consultation

As closing date for submissions is Wednesday 15 April 2026, prior to the 30 April 2026 Regional Transport Committee (RTC) meeting, the Chairman requested that a submission be made within the prescribed time period and that retrospective approval be sought for the content of the submission at the April 2026 meeting.

A draft copy of the submission, which included input from the members, was distributed on 23 March 2026.

The correspondence included that “The Chair has approved the draft submission to NZTA if there were no objections raised from the committee members by close of business on Wednesday 25 March.” No objections to the draft were received.

Please find attached the final version of the submission Warkworth to Te Hana Motorway Tolling signed by the chair and forwarded to NZTA on 7 April 2026.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Submission ⇩

Regional Transport Committee item: 7.1

30 April 2026

TITLE:	Regional Land Transport Plan 2021/2027 - National Funding Assistance Uptake Report
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience, on 21 April 2026

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

This report details the funding assistance uptake by each Approved Road Controlling Authority and the Regional Council through subsidy claims submitted to the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for the financial period 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026.

The above period relates to the second financial year of the Regional Land Transport Plan Three Year Review that covers the 2024-2027 funding period.

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Regional Land Transport Plan 2021/2027 - National Funding Assistance Uptake Report’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council and dated 18 April 2026, be received.

Background/Tuhinga

Section 106 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 stipulates that: -

(1) The functions of each regional transport committee (other than the regional transport committee for Auckland) are—

(a) to prepare a regional land transport plan, or any variation to the plan, for the approval of the relevant regional council; and

(b) to provide the regional council with any advice and assistance the regional council may request in relation to its transport responsibilities.

In addition to the above, one of the functions of the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) is to monitor the progress of the relevant Regional Land Transport Plan Three Year Review 2024-2027 (RLTP).

This report provides the RTC with a quarterly update on the uplift of funding assistance by Far North District Council, Whangarei District Council, Kaipara District Council, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Northland Regional Council for transport related works and projects applied for through the RLTP and as approved in the National Land Transport Programme 2024-2027 (NLTP).

It is important to note that the information contained in the attached spreadsheets aligns with New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) financial year quarterly forecasting and the Minister of Transport financial year Quarterly Reports. As the above information invariably becomes available following RTC meetings, all Regional Land Transport Plan Funding Assistance Uptake Reports will reflect the previous quarter’s information.

These reports and attached spreadsheets provide the RTC with information relating to how each Activity Class/Programme: -

· Is tracking regarding the uptake of the funding assistance approved through the 2024/2027 National Land Transport Programme for the 2025/2026 financial year.

· Supports the five Regional Strategic Objectives reflected in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 – Three Year Review.

· Supports the seven Regional Priorities included in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 – Three Year Review.

It further details: -

· The year-to-date funding assistance uplifted in the 2025/2026 financial period, and

· The reasons for any variations and action to be taken.

Please note that the spreadsheets attached to this paper reflect the funding uptake for each approved authority for the period 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026. The actual expenditure contained in this spreadsheet has been sourced from the individual approved authorities March 2026 claim to NZTA.

It is important to note that the National Land Transport Plan 2024/2027 funding period is a three-year funding programme and allows for funding to be moved within the three-year period.

As this report updates the RTC on the national funding assistance (subsidies) uptake for those Activities/Programmes approved in the NLTP reflected, the Attachments do not include non-subsidised projects or work categories.

The base information contained in the attachments is sourced directly from the New Zealand Transport Agency’s Waka Kotahi ‘2024-2027 National Land Transport Programme for Northland.

Any questions regarding the information reflected in the spreadsheets can be directed to the relevant approved Road Controlling Authority.

Road Controlling Authority Quarterly Reports

In support of the funding uptake spreadsheets, the attached Road Controlling Authority provide a high-level indication of progress regarding transport infrastructure and services.

Where applicable, links are included in the relevant Status Reports directing the reader to the appropriate documentation that provides greater detail on the subject.

At the time of submitting this paper, the Kaipara District Council Report had yet to be received. This will be tabled on the day of the meeting.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Funding Uptake Reports ⇩

Attachment 2: Road Controlling Authority Quarterly Report - FNDC ⇩

Attachment 3: Road Controlling Authority Quarterly Report - WDC ⇩

Regional Transport Committee item: 7.4

30 April 2026

TITLE:	Regional Road Safety Report
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Regional Council and Nicole Korach, Project Manager - Road Safety Promotion
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience, on 13 April 2026

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

This report updates the Regional Transport Committee on the progress made on the Northland Road to Zero program for local roads in Northland.

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Regional Road Safety Report’ by Nicole Korach, Programme Manager – Road Safety Promotion – Whangārei District Council, dated 8 April 2026 be received.

Background/Tuhinga

The three district councils with NZTA have developed a comprehensive education and promotion programme to support in conjunction with other road safety partners the reduction of deaths and serious injuries on Northland roads.

Road Trauma Update

The fatal injuries data are broken down in the tables below for 2026.

See below graph which breaks down the fatal and serious injuries from 2021 to 2025 year to date.

Note: the serious injuries are not updated as frequently in the Crash Analysis System so these figures may change at a later date.

Calendar Year 2025 - 1 January – 31 December, Provisional Road Fatalities Statistics

Fatalities Jan – Dec 2026	Far North	Whangārei	Kaipara	Northland	National
Local roads	1	2	1	4	37
State highways	0	1	2	3	33
TOTAL	1	3	3	7	70

Nationally, in 2024, there were 292 fatal injuries.

Regionally, in 2024, there were 24 fatal injuries.

Breakdown of the 2026 Deaths year to date: 7 Deaths

Fatal injuries per month

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Fatal

Fatal injuries by gender
Male	4
Female	3

Northland Field Days

Northland’s road safety partners including Northland Road Safety (NRC, WDC, FNDC, and KDC), Northland Road Safety Trust, AMI Insurance, NZ Police, and Pete’s Towing, teamed up for this year’s Northland Field Days from 26–28 February. Together, we created a fully interactive, conversation‑rich site that brought road safety messages to life for our community.

Fatal injuries by role
Driver	0
Passenger	3
Motorcyclist	2
Cyclist	0
Pedestrian	2

Fatal injuries by age group
0 – 14 years	0
15 – 19 years	0
20 – 24 years	0
25 – 39 years	3
40 – 59 years	3
Over 60 years	1

Fatal injuries by speed corridors (Local Roads)		Fatal injuries by speed corridors (State Highways)
100 km/h	1	100 km/h	2
80 km/h	0	80 km/h	0
70 km/h	0	70 km/h	0
60 km/h	1	60 km/h	0
50 km/h	1	50 km/h	0
30 km/h	1	30 km/h	1
Total	4	Total	3

Decepta Car

Front and centre on our site was NZTA’s “Decepta Car,” organised and delivered with support from AMI Insurance. From the outside, it appears to be a normal everyday vehicle, but the interior tells a different story. The crushed and distorted inside shows what can happen to a 1‑star safety‑rated vehicle in a head‑on crash. This resonated strongly with visitors, given Northland’s crash history and the high proportion of lower‑rated cars on our roads.

Tablets were available for people to check the safety rating of their own vehicle, sparking valuable discussions about choosing safer cars and using the RightCar website before purchasing their next one. Common comments included:

· “I’m going to make all my family check their safety rating.”

· “I bought a 5‑star car after seeing you here last time.”

· “I will never put my feet on the dash again.”

Seatbelt Simulator

Auckland Transport kindly provided a seatbelt simulator, which certainly drew attention thanks to its loud bang each time it activated. It allowed people aged 12 years and over to feel what a crash at just 12 km/h can be like, and how violent even a low‑speed impact really is.

Discussions here centred on:

· wearing a seatbelt on every journey, long or short

· ensuring everyone in the vehicle is in an appropriate restraint

Public reactions included:

· “Imagine crashing at 100 km/h.”

· “There is no way you could control what happens without a seatbelt.”

· “I want my mates to try this.”

Impairment Goggles

Our impairment activation provided another hands‑on experience. Participants were asked to walk in a straight line, unlock padlocks, or balance coloured balls on cones, all while wearing goggles that simulated different levels of alcohol or drug impairment.

This activation sparked deep and often personal conversations. Many people shared stories about being caught drink‑driving, crashes they or loved ones had been involved in, or close calls they’d witnessed.

Common comments included:

· “Why would anyone try to do this behind the wheel?”

· Crash Display

· Opposite the impairment station, Pete’s Towing displayed a vehicle involved in a real crash. Despite having a 4‑star safety rating, a powerful comparison to the Decepta Car, the vehicle was badly damaged. The crash involved a 17‑year‑old, impaired driver who hit a power pole. The first question from almost every passer‑by was, “Was the driver okay?” (They were.) The display reinforced the impairment message in a strong, visual, and confronting way.

Journey & Fatigue Activation

We wrapped around to a journey and fatigue space featuring a giant map of Northland/North Auckland. Visitors were encouraged to share their favourite rest stops, a great way to get people thinking about planning breaks and managing fatigue.

A road safety quiz added fun and friendly competition, while helping reinforce key messages from across the site. Our NZ Police officer stationed here provided expert insights and kept conversations flowing.

Overall Engagement

Across the three days, our team engaged with over 800 members of the public, with most people participating in multiple activations. We handed out practical, safety‑focused resources such as drink bottles, hats, and sunscreen, items people can actually use while being reminded of key messages.

The whole team agreed this was one of our best events yet. The level of genuine discussion, reflection, and personal connection we had with visitors was exceptional. Northland Field Days will definitely remain a key date on our calendar.

Far North Snapper Bonanza Event

Far North REAP promoted the “Be a Bro, Be a Sober Bro” campaign at the recent Snapper Bonanza event on 90 Mile Beach. The event, the world’s largest surfcasting competition, attracted over 1,200 anglers and support crew.

The road safety team presented on stage during the competitor briefing, outlining the campaign and encouraging attendees to have a plan for a sober driver to get everyone home safely.

On the beach, the team engaged directly with more than 100 competitors, distributing sober driver buckets and Patience to Paradise cooler bags. Most competitors reported having a plan in place, often sharing designated driver responsibilities across the five days of competition.

A breathalyser station was set up, with handheld breathalysers also used at prize-giving most evenings. This prompted conversations about alcohol levels, how readings change over time, and how alcohol affects individuals differently. The activity reinforced key messages around planning a sober driver before events, allowing time to eat and hydrate, and understanding how alcohol metabolism can vary.

The team also promoted the event courtesy van, ran impairment goggle activities, and supported sober driving messaging reiterated by event organisers. “Be a Sober Bro” messaging was printed on every competitor ticket, which was required to be worn throughout the event.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: NZ Police Report ⇩

Attachment 2: Drug Driving Q&A ⇩

Deputy Chairperson – NRC Councillor, John Blackwell	KDC Councillor, Rachael Williams	WDC Councillor Brad Flower
FNDC Councillor, Ann Court	NZTA Acting Director Regional Relationships, Vanessa Ellis	KiwiRail Programme Director Northland, Eric Hennephof

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - 10 February 2026
From:	Haylee Labelle, Personal Assistant Community Resilience
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience, on 18 March 2026

TITLE:	Receipt of Action Sheet
From:	Haylee Labelle, Personal Assistant Community Resilience
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience, on 15 April 2026

TITLE:	NZTA Waka Kotahi Update for Te Tai Tokerau
From:	Vanessa Ellis, NZTA - Director Regional Relationships, Te Tai Tokerau me Tamaki Makaurau
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience, on 21 April 2026

TITLE:	KiwiRail Update
From:	Eric Hennephof, KiwiRail - Programme Director Northland
Authorised by Group Manager/s:	Louisa Gritt, Group Manager - Community Resilience, on 13 April 2026