NLTP bulletin

19 September 2025

In this issue

• Programme Monitor submission deadlines
• Quarter 1 reporting on ministerial expectations
• New RCA Temporary Traffic Management Centre
• Decision led approach update
• Evidence pack update
• Funding assistance rates policy review – planning underway
• One Network Framework update

Programme Monitor submission deadlines

The first Programme Monitor of 2025-26 is due on 23 September 2025 and serves as a key baseline for reporting on local road improvement delivery. The reporting is done at the end of each financial year against our NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi statement of performance expectations.

Delivery is measured by comparing your expected delivery for pre-implementation and implementation phases as stated in the first quarterly forecast in Programme Monitor, and the status of claiming for the phase at the end of the financial year.

Remember, if your phase is finished, then you should close the phase in TIO. For any support or enquiries, please contact your investment advisor.

Key dates for Quarter 1 
9 September - Template is now open
23 September - Submission due   
30 September - Final day for NZTA verification

We recently wrote to Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) about the additional requirement relating to the application of the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management (NZGTTM). RCAs will need to report on progress in developing a plan for its application to contracts.

We will send a reminder email to your contact person responsible for this reporting, in early October. Please let us know if there is any change to your nominated contact person.

All RCAs, including NZTA as the RCA for state highways, are required to progressively apply the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management (NZGTTM) to all relevant activities funded from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).

To support this change, a new RCA Temporary Traffic Management Centre (RTTMC) has been set up as the centre of excellence to risk review and approve all traffic management plans for the state highway network.  

NZTA encourages all RCAs to share this information with their suppliers. Find out more about the RTTMC on our website.

If you have any questions, please email: TTM@nzta.govt.nz

The DLA is about project teams doing the right work at the right time to enable the right decisions to be made through each phase. This will ensure clear management of scope, budget and risk from the beginning of a project.

As of July 2025, all NZTA state highway infrastructure projects are required to use the approach. It’s currently being applied to the project initiation and investment case phases of our Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and Northwest Busway projects and will be developed further for use on subsequent project phases.

To support NZTA teams and suppliers in applying the new approach, we’ve developed this draft guidance: Guidance for decision-led approach for project development. For more information, visit the DLA page on the NZTA website.

It’s not mandatory for local government to follow the decision-led approach, however we do encourage its use. If you have any questions or require support, please contact your local government partnerships representative.

Evidence pack update

NZTA recently shared regional evidence packs with local councils, which are intended to support the preparation of the strategic front end of Regional Land Transport Plans. Thanks to everyone who shared their feedback on these packs – your input will be used to ensure that your region’s pack takes your perspective and experience into account.

Due to significant changes, identified by partners, updated Nelson/Marlborough and Hawke's Bay evidence packs will be released in mid-October.

If you would like to provide further information or feedback, you can set up a time to talk with your Director of Regional Relationships or send an email to us at nltp@nzta.govt.nz

Funding Assistance Rates (FAR) policy review - planning underway

Work is underway to scope the review of the FAR Policy. This review will happen during the next year so that we can publish FARs well in advance of preparation for the 2027-30 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

The proposed scope includes setting normal FARs for Approved Organisations, FARs for special purpose roads and other special FARs.

We are in the process of setting up a steering group which will include sector representatives, to help guide next steps and ensure that we incorporate a range of views.

For any enquiries, please contact us at nltp@nzta.govt.nz

Looking ahead to the 2027-30 NLTP, ONF common language will be required for all modes. In particular, RCAs should ensure their General Traffic (GT) and Freight (FT) classifications are transitioned from One Network Road Classification (ONRC) to ONF for use in their Activity Management Plans (AMPs). This step is critical to enable consistent application of Levels of Service (LoS) and Performance Measures.

For more information, please contact onf@nzta.govt.nz

In our next issue

• Our benefits and measures research has been postponed until mid-October. Look out for more information about what the research said and next steps.
• Update on new ONF features for Asset and Work Manager.

More information

For more information on the National Land Transport Programme, contact us online.

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/NLTP