QTS-115 · Board or committee paper · 2026
Otago and Southland Regional Transport Committees 23 February 2026 - Agenda
Part of: Rapid transit evidence →
Agenda for the combined Otago and Southland Regional Transport Committees (RTCs) meeting of 23 February 2026, the first of the 2025-2028 triennium. It includes the 28 July 2025 minutes and action register, an induction briefing on RTC functions under the Land Transport Management Act 2003, a Terms of Reference review, ministerial correspondence (KiwiRail representation, policy and funding certainty, South Island passenger rail), a road safety update, NLTP expenditure to December 2025 and an NZTA update. The central item (8.4) reports on development of the Otago Southland Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2027-2037: a proposed structure including a 'Tourism and Growth Story' for Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago, and a revised draft vision, five objectives and 17 policies, including P4.1 'maximising the use of the existing transport system before investing in new infrastructure' (p46). Committees are asked to confirm the early engagement approach and comment on the draft framework. Attachment 2 summarises early engagement feedback. Queenstown Airport said the Queenstown PT network needs greater frequency and longer hours, network capacity issues require significant mode shift, and 'Any future proposals such as a PT gondola in Queenstown should align with transport planning and investment and integrate with the existing network' (p53).
What the document says
Context. Joint meeting of the Otago and Southland RTCs at ORC, Dunedin, 23 February 2026 (p1). Otago RTC: Cr Kate Wilson (Chair), Cr Matt Hollyer (Deputy), district council representatives including Cr Quentin Smith (QLDC), and James Cargill (NZTA); Southland RTC chaired by Cr Phil Morrison (p1). The staff reports are jointly authored by Dean Lowry (ORC) and Russell Hawkes (Environment Southland).
Minutes and actions. The 28 July 2025 minutes (pp4-9) record resolutions to submit on Going for Housing Growth and the draft National Infrastructure Plan, seek updates on the Otago Lakes regional deal, reword the RLTP strategic section, and write to Ministers on policy certainty, Invercargill-Christchurch commuter rail and KiwiRail representation (pp6-9). The action register shows all as completed; regional deal updates are limited to publicly available information because of confidentiality (pp10-11).
8.1 Induction and 8.2 Terms of Reference. Sets out RTC functions under sections 105-106 of the LTMA, membership and alternates for 2025-2028, and seeks adoption of updated Terms of Reference (pp12-31).
8.3 Correspondence. Ministerial replies: the Minister of Transport supports KiwiRail attendance when rail is on the agenda; the Minister for Rail notes passenger rail funding requires a business case (p33).
8.4 RLTP 2027-2037 development (RTC2603). The RLTP must be developed every six years (p43). Proposed structure includes place-based stories (rural, urban, and 'Tourism and Growth' covering Queenstown, Wānaka and Cromwell), the transport system, vulnerabilities, investment priorities, funding programmes and monitoring (pp43-44). Tranche One early engagement contacted Aukaha, Te Ao Mārama, the National Public Health Service, Port Otago, South Port, Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargill airports, Transporting New Zealand and Calder Stewart; Tranche Two continues through early 2026 (pp44-45). The draft vision seeks 'An integrated transport system that is efficient, safe, resilient and sustainable' (p45). Objectives cover safety, resilience, connectivity, sustainability and a future focus. Policies include P3.3 support for accessible and integrated public transport 'with a focus on enhancing existing services and extending services where feasible', P3.4 bespoke solutions where conventional options are not feasible, P4.1 maximising use of the existing system before new infrastructure, and P5.2 aligning transport with long-term land use through integrated spatial planning (p46). Staff say the refreshed framework 'does not introduce new strategic or policy issues' (p46). Wider public consultation has not started (p47).
Attachment 2: early engagement feedback (pp51-53). Queenstown Airport: supportive of transport choice language; Queenstown PT network 'is good but requires greater frequency and longer operating hours', especially for the airport as a commuter hub; lack of PT from Wānaka and Cromwell causes car dependence; 'Queenstown network capacity issues require significant mode shift to public and active transport'; a PT mass rapid transit should align with planning and integrate with the existing network; and reliance on a few major bridges is a resilience concern (pp52-53).
8.6 Expenditure. QLDC's 2025/26 NLTP allocation is $27,481,000, with $10,073,991 (37%) spent to December 2025; transport model procurement delays are noted (p62).
Mass rapid transit: The only reference is Queenstown Airport's feedback: 'Any future proposals such as a PT gondola in Queenstown should align with transport planning and investment and integrate with the existing network' (p53). Staff do not comment on it, and the draft RLTP vision, objectives and policies (pp45-46) do not mention MRT, mass rapid transit or off-line public transport.
Key figures
- QLDC NLTP approved allocation 2025/26 $27,481,000; $10,073,991 (37%) spent to December 2025 (p62)
- ORC NLTP approved allocation 2025/26 $43,275,220; 44% spent to December 2025 (p61)
- Draft RLTP 2027-2037 framework: 1 vision, 5 objectives, 17 policies (pp45-46)
Rapid transit
Mass rapid transit means light rail, gondola/cable car, bus rapid transit and similar dedicated rapid-transit technologies. It does not include ordinary bus services or ferries.
Passing. Mentions mass rapid transit without assessing it.
Queenstown Airport feedback: any mass rapid transit proposal should align with transport planning and integrate with the existing network; the draft regional transport programme is silent.
The agenda's only MRT reference is in Attachment 2 to report 8.4, the summary of early engagement feedback on the RLTP 2027-2037. Among Queenstown Airport's points: 'Any future proposals such as a PT gondola in Queenstown should align with transport planning and investment and integrate with the existing network' (p53). The same feedback says the Queenstown PT network 'requires greater frequency and longer operating hours, particularly to serve the airport and surrounding area as a major commuter hub' and that 'Queenstown network capacity issues require significant mode shift to public and active transport' (p53). Staff do not respond to mass rapid transit point. The draft RLTP vision, objectives and policies (Table 2, pp45-46) do not mention MRT, mass rapid transit or off-line public transport; draft policy P4.1 prioritises 'maximising the use of the existing transport system before investing in new infrastructure' (p46).
"Any future proposals such as a PT gondola in Queenstown should align with transport planning and investment and integrate with the existing network." (p.53) | "Queenstown network capacity issues require significant mode shift to public and active transport" (p.53) | "Deliver value for money by prioritising integrated planning, managing demand and maximising the use of the existing transport system before investing in new infrastructure." (p.46)
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Actions recorded
Committees to note the RLTP 2027-2037 development report.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
1) Note this report.
Confirm the current approach of early engagement to inform development of the RLTP.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
Advise any changes to the draft RLTP vision, objectives and policies (Table 2).
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
Advise any changes they wish to make to the content of Table 2
Continue early engagement (Tranche Two) with stakeholders who previously gave RLTP feedback.
Not assessed · ORC · Early 2026
early engagement is anticipated to continue through early 2026
Adjust and further develop the strategic framework and main body of the draft RLTP and bring updated content to future RTC meetings.
Not assessed · ORC · Future meetings
staff will make recommended adjustments and continue to develop
Note the induction briefing and give direction on further information or actions required.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
Provide comment and direction on further information or actions
Review and adopt the updated Terms of Reference for the RTCs and the Regional Technical Advisory Group, or direct changes.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
adopt the Terms of Reference as attached to this report
Note ministerial correspondence and decide any follow-up, including whether to begin a passenger rail business case process.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees
Provide any feedback and subsequent actions they wish to take.
Show all 12 actions
Note the regional road safety update.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
1) Note this report.
Note the NLTP expenditure summary to December 2025.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
1) Note this report.
Note the NZTA update (including Queenstown projects) and provide feedback to NZTA.
Not assessed · Regional Transport Committees · 23 February 2026
Provide any feedback to the NZTA on the topics included in the update.
Request regional deal Joint Committee to provide updates to the RTCs (from 28 July 2025 resolution RTC25-106).
Not assessed · ORC · Underway (17/11/2025)
Ms Dawe will make a request to the Joint Committee, to provide updates
Study cost
Not separately commissioned. This is an internal or corporate document.
Citation
Otago and Southland Regional Transport Committees 23 February 2026 - Agenda (2026). Report Nos. RTC2601-RTC2607.