The Ministry of Transport (Maori name - Te Manatu Waka) is the New Zealand Government's principal transport policy adviser. It leads and generates policy, and the government's New Zealand Transport Strategy (NZTS) provides the framework within which transport policy is developed. The MoT also liaises with the transport Crown entities, the Aviation Security Service, and the National Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
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The Government transport sector
The transport sector includes five Crown entities, one State-owned enterprise and one trust:
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), including the Aviation Security Service (AvSec)
- Land Transport New Zealand (Land Transport NZ)
- Maritime New Zealand
- New Zealand Railways Corporation (ONTRACK)
- Transit New Zealand
- Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC)
- Road Safety Trust
They are responsible for day-to-day hands-on management of daily traffic, aviation, rail and maritime activities. Their roles and the composition of their boards are defined in legislation. The Ministry negotiates an annual performance agreement with each entity on behalf of the Minister (excluding the Road Safety Trust which operates under a trust deed), monitors the entities' performance against that agreement, and recommends appointments to the entities' governing bodies. The Ministry provides policy advice to the Minister, in collaboration with the Crown entities, including the making of transport rules. As well, the Ministry negotiates, on behalf of New Zealand, bilateral and multilateral air services agreements and is the licensing authority for foreign international airlines operating services to and from New Zealand.
Additional
The Ministry also:
- administers, on behalf of the Minister, the contract with the Meteorological Service of New Zealand(Metservice) for the provision of public weather warnings and forecasts
- manages the Motor Vehicle Register (MVR) and revenue collection functions which includes the collection and refund of motor vehicle registration and licensing fees, road user charges and fuel excise duty, and the maintenance of the MVR. Land Transport NZ is contracted to provide these services under an agreement with the Secretary for Transport.
- has responsibility for the operation of the Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Airport, and oversees the Crown's interest in joint venture airports.
The Ministry does not have a hands-on-role in daily traffic, aviation, rail or maritime matters.
Ministers
The Ministry reports to one Minister and two Associate Ministers: Annette King, Minister of Transport, Minister of Food Safety, Minister of Police and Minister of State Services Judith Tizard, Associate Minister of Transport (Auckland issues, Emissions policy) Harry Duynhoven, Minister for Transport Safety (Aviation, Land and Maritime Safety, Aviation and Maritime Security and Transport Accident Investigation Commission)
