The Public Service transport sector works together to build transport infrastructure and keep people safe while using our roads, waterways and skies.

Photo by Liam Spicer

Tā te rāngai waka mahi What the transport sector does

The transport sector is led by Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport. It provides advice to the Government on transport matters, develops transport-related legislation and oversees travel through our borders. It also leads work on biofuels, electric vehicles and alternative fuels that can help New Zealanders travel with minimal carbon emissions.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency looks after the national road network and driver/vehicle licensing, and focuses on providing an integrated land transport system to help people in Aotearoa New Zealand easily move around the country. Maritime New Zealand works toward the safety and security of coastal and inland waterways, and also licenses and certifies seafarers and commercial operations and plays a role in enforcing regulations and investigating maritime injuries and deaths.

The New Zealand Police works to prevent death and injury on our roads by enforcing speeding, seatbelt and drug and alcohol laws, while the Civil Aviation Authority oversees aviation safety and security, and carries out air accident and incident investigations.

Ngā kaimahi o te rāngai waka Who works in the transport sector

A wide range of people work in this sector, including:

  • traffic officers, road safety educators, crash site investigators and vehicle testers
  • aviation security officers, licensed pilots and air traffic controllers
  • dog handlers and trainers
  • people who perform certification of people and ships
  • rescue coordinators and investigators
  • policy advisors and regulatory system designers.

Ngā painga o te rāngai waka mō Aotearoa How the transport sector benefits New Zealand

By connecting people and places, the transport sector makes life easier for everyone in New Zealand. Working together, the sector keeps people in New Zealand safe when they’re travelling, and helps them to return home safely. It looks at how the transport system needs to change to support both our evolving needs and the New Zealand economy. It also wants to ensure the system is efficient and sustainable for the future.

Our transport laws and regulations work to ensure people in Aotearoa New Zealand are safe and confident as they travel on our roads, in the air and on the water.

Ngā whakahaere rāngai waka Transport sector organisations

These are the main Public Service organisations that support Aotearoa New Zealand’s transport sector.

  • Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa | Civil Aviation Authority

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is a Crown agent and works to make sure everyone involved in New Zealand aviation meets the legal standards set by the Minister of Transport. New Zealand’s civil aviation community includes licensed pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers, as well as aviation operators like airlines, aerodromes, flying schools, and aircraft maintenance organisations.

    There are 2 parts to the CAA:

    • the agency overseeing aviation safety and security, and the rules underpinning it
    • the Aviation Security Service, known as AvSec, who work at airports screening passengers and their luggage.

    Sectors

    Border

    National security

    Transport

    Chair

    Janice Fredric, Chair

    Website

    aviation.govt.nz

  • Nō te rere moana Aotearoa | Maritime New Zealand

    Maritime New Zealand is a Crown Agent that leads and supports the maritime community to take responsibility for making sure our seas and inland waterways are safe, secure and clean for everyone. It licenses and certifies seafarers and commercial operations, educates the maritime community and plays a role in both enforcing regulations and investigating accidents.

    Sectors

    Border

    Environment

    National security

    Transport

    Chair

    Dame Jo Brosnahan QSO, Chair

    Website

    maritimenz.govt.nz

  • Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport

    Te Manatū Waka is the system lead on transport. It provides advice about how the transport needs to change to support the New Zealand economy and the transport needs of New Zealanders. It works in partnership with a number of transport agencies covering air, sea and land to help keep the transport system moving.

    Sectors

    Border

    Environment

    International and trade

    National security

    Transport

    Leader

    Audrey Sonerson, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Waka | Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    transport.govt.nz

  • Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa | New Zealand Police

    New Zealand Police works with the community to make New Zealanders be and feel safe, providing policing services 24 hours a day. It operates across land, sea and air to prevent crimes and crashes. It invests in relationships with tangata whenua to jointly reduce offending and victimisation within Māori communities.

    Sectors

    Border

    Emergency

    Justice

    National security

    Social

    Transport

    Leader

    Andrew Coster, Commissioner of Police

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    police.govt.nz

  • Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency

    Waka Kotahi is a Crown Agent responsible for managing the state highway network and the wider national land transport system. This includes managing the licensing of drivers and vehicles. It works to provide one integrated land transport system that helps people get the most out of life and supports business. Its focus areas include reducing injury on the roads, providing fair and equitable access to the transport system, and responsibly managing the transport system’s interaction with the environment.

    Sectors

    Transport

    Chair

    Dr Paul Reynolds, QSO, Chair

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team 

    Website

    nzta.govt.nz