Transport ministry reviewed

A report has revealed insights into the performance of the Ministry of Transport (MoT) as well as its future policies.

A performance improvement review into the ministry has been conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

It published the third such report under its review programme on September 19, and a joint statement from leading organisations across the transport sector, including the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA), has been issued to support a strong, well-resourced ministry.

“The review highlights the good work the ministry has done to respond to the government’s priorities, including its work to implement a number of key initiatives,” says Heather Baggott, Acting Public Service Commissioner.

These have included the government policy statement for land transport, and priorities within the 100-day plan and quarterly action plan.

Others have been scrapping the clean car discount, overseeing amendments to the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022, and removing central government support for Auckland Light Rail and Let’s Get Wellington Moving. 

Baggott, pictured, adds: “It also highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities it faces in its role within the transport system.” 

The PSC’s report flag ups major “areas of interest for the transport industry”, according to VIA. These include:

• Key findings: While the MoT has made progress in delivering significant initiatives, it faces ongoing challenges, including fiscal pressures and the need for improved data use and evaluation to guide policy and regulatory decisions.

• Leadership and collaboration: The ministry needs to clarify its leadership role within the sector and foster a more collaborative approach with industry stakeholders to ensure better outcomes.

• Capability and workforce: Building a dedicated workforce and leveraging external expertise will be critical for the MoT to meet its growing responsibilities and the demands of an evolving transport system.

• Regulation and innovation: The review calls for regulators to remain agile and forward-thinking, especially when anticipating and managing the adoption of new technologies. Setting aligned standards is key to fostering innovation and protecting the public.

• Greenhouse gas emissions: With transport being a major source of emissions in New Zealand, the government’s goal of reducing net emissions by 2030 remains a top priority. The emissions trading scheme is highlighted as a “crucial tool” in this effort.

• Decision-making bottlenecks: The review identified delays and inefficiencies across agencies due to high-level decision-making bottlenecks, impacting the effectiveness of the regulatory system.

• Value for money: There is significant potential to improve value for money by addressing role duplication and decision-making inefficiencies, and possibly considering a review of the machinery of government.

• Future focus: Recommendations include strengthening regulatory stewardship, clarifying roles and responsibilities across the sector, and establishing robust performance frameworks in partnership with transport crown entities.

A statement issued by the sector leaders, including VIA, underscores the need for a ministry that is proactive, collaborative and resourced to lead the transport sector through the significant changes ahead. 

Greig Epps, VIA’s chief executive officer, has acknowledged the positive engagement from the MoT and reiterates the association’s “commitment to working closely with the ministry on a range of critical transport issues”.

The PSC adds: “The review identifies a range of focus areas for the ministry, including leveraging existing data and frameworks to develop insights and advice on performance, developing clear performance frameworks to assess and monitor the performance of regulatory systems, and ensuring its crown-entity monitoring is focused on supporting improved performance delivery and value for money.

“Performance improvement reviews are future-focused reviews of a specific agency undertaken by independent reviewers. These reviews help advance the government’s priorities, and drive results and outcomes for New Zealanders.”