The AA's election calls

The AA’s first call is for maintenance and renewals to be treated as the highest priority for transport funding. The conditions of the roads is consistently one of our Members’ top concerns in surveys. The failing water pipes in parts of the country show the long-term cost that can come when maintenance is put off. Prioritising maintenance would help keep roads safer, more reliable and more cost-effective for taxpayers.

Long-term certainty is at the heart of the AA’s second call. The organisation wants New Zealand to establish a programme of major transport projects that continues regardless of changes in government. Delays in improving transport infrastructure are costing New Zealanders their lives, draining money, and wasting time. New Zealanders are tired of hearing about new roads or public transport projects that take years to get off the ground. Covering both roads and public transport, the programme would recognise the need for a coherent and connected network that requires consistent investment over time.

Improving road safety remains a key focus. The AA is calling for the introduction of safety cameras capable of detecting drivers who are not wearing seatbelts or who are using mobile phones while driving. The technology is already widely used in Australia and has proven effective in targeting behaviours that contribute to deaths and serious injuries on the road.

The AA wants a ‘rewards for safety’ programme that would incentivise drivers to stick to the rules and keep their knowledge up to date. We want to see cheaper licence renewal if people do an online knowledge refresher and cheaper annual vehicle registration if someone has no traffic offences. The aim is to encourage positive behaviour while making compliance more affordable.

This call focuses on improving connections to public transport. The AA wants future governments to prioritise funding that makes it easier for people to reach major public transport hubs. Better access can encourage greater use of buses, trains and other public transport services, helping people move around more efficiently while supporting wider transport choice.

The AA has promoted these five ideas to all the major political parties as actions they could take to make transport better if they are part of the next Government.

“Every election is a chance to improve New Zealand’s transport system,” says Simon.

“By promoting these actions, we hope the next Government will make changes that allow New Zealanders to move around more safely, reliably and affordably.”