National Land Transport Programme 2024-27

National document: The 2024–27 NLTP is a 3-year programme of prioritised activities with a 10-year forecast, prepared by NZTA (Waka Kotahi) to give effect to GPS 2024 and reflecting a partnership between NZTA and local government (p.4). Activities come through Regional Land Transport Plans, NZTA's State Highway Investment Proposal and national programmes; some are committed, others proposed and awaiting confirmation (p.4). GPS 2024 priorities are economic growth and productivity, increased maintenance and resilience, safety, and value for money (p.7). Forecast total funds are $32.9 billion, 35% more than 2021–24, including about $23.6 billion from the NLTF, $5.8 billion local share, $3.1 billion Crown loan and $3.1 billion Crown capital grant (pp.5–6). Expenditure includes $7 billion for state highway improvements, $6.4 billion for public transport infrastructure and services, $5.5 billion for pothole prevention, $4.6 billion for maintenance and operations, $1.7 billion for road policing and safety, $1.3 billion for local road improvements and $460 million for footpaths and cycleways (p.5). The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), 'a package of transport projects on key corridors at a regional level', are central (pp.7, 9). NZTA notes further funding outside the NLTF and 'reform of legislation to allow for road pricing initiatives such as time of use charging' will be required (p.17). The public transport infrastructure class ($2.64 billion) focuses on Auckland (Eastern Busway, City Rail Link, Northwest Rapid Transit) and the lower North Island rail (p.30). Public transport service improvements total $136 million: $100 million Auckland, $23 million Palmerston North, $8 million Christchurch and $5 million Queenstown (p.29).

Otago/Southland: Forecast total investment is $1.4 billion, with $313 million maintenance operations, $562 million pothole prevention, $333 million improvements and $125 million public transport (p.78). The summary says Queenstown Lakes is the fastest-growing district and that its 'popularity as a holiday and tourist destination and the resort town's housing crisis has placed severe pressure on the town's infrastructure, including transport' (p.78). Under Roads of Regional Significance: 'Investment in Queenstown's transport infrastructure will accommodate growth and address congestion', progressing the Queenstown Package, which includes SH6A corridor improvements, SH6 and 6A Frankton intersection improvements, and SH6 improvements including a bus hub (p.79). Resilience work will start on SH6 Cromwell to Frankton, SH6 Frankton to Kingston and SH6 Haast to Hawea (p.79). With Queenstown Lakes District Council, NZTA will replace the Shepherds Hut Creek culvert between Queenstown and Glenorchy, listed nationally at $2.176m (pp.20, 79). Otago state highway maintenance is $95m, with $134m ringfenced for pothole prevention; local roads in Otago and Southland receive $504 million in total (p.79). The National Ticketing Solution will be completed (p.80). The key projects map shows the Queenstown Package and bus priority improvements (Dunedin) (p.81). The 2027–30 'future investment' list does not include any Otago activity (p.34).

Mass rapid transit: The document says nothing about mass rapid transit in Queenstown. No Queenstown offline PT feasibility study, business case or project is listed. Queenstown public transport content is limited to $5 million for new or enhanced public transport services (p.29) and a bus hub within the Queenstown Package (p.79). 'Rapid transit' appears only for Auckland's Northwest Rapid Transit corridor (p.30).