Roche appointed new NZTA chairman
The government has appointed Sir Brian Roche as the new chairman of the NZTA.
Last year it was revealed that the agency had not been enforcing its transport regulations properly. This neglect has led to many businesses in the transport sector flouting regulations and - specifically - over 27,000 needing warrant of fitness (WOF) retests.
NZTA chief executive Fergus Gammie resigned in December of 2018 and has not yet been permanently replaced. Michael Stiassny, who Roche is replacing, resigned in April 2019, following the completion of the compliance review, saying his work shaking up the agency was complete.
Roche’s appointment is for a three-year term, starting on June 11, 2019.
Phil Twyford says Roche is an experienced director with an extensive track record in both the public and private sector.
“He brings a wealth of experience and a steady hand to transport sector governance, having previously chaired the NZTA and the Auckland Regional Transport Agency and is currently the chair of City Rail Link Limited.”
The agency’s core functions are to plan and invest in New Zealand’s land transport networks through the National Land Transport Programme and to regulate those networks.
“Our government has a transformative agenda to rebalance the transport system toward better safety, access and value for money, along with more investment in regional and local roads and rail.
“The NZTA has a crucial role to play in creating a modern and sustainable transport network and I’m pleased to appoint someone of Sir Brian’s calibre to lead this work.
“There is currently a review of the NZTA’s regulatory functions underway, which the Government expects to receive shortly. A key focus for Sir Brian will be implementing the direction signalled from that review, and I am confident in Sir Brian’s ability to make that happen.
“I’d like to thank interim chair Nick Rogers and acknowledge the work of the previous chair Michael Stiassny who uncovered and led the fixing of the agency’s regulatory issues."
