The government is investing more than $32 million for increased health and safety in New Zealand’s aviation and maritime sectors, and enhancing policy advice for the changing transport system.
“The Government is investing $15.8 million in Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) and $3 million in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), to strengthen their health and safety roles on the water and in the air,” says transport minister Simon Bridges.
The health and safety at work act placed greater responsibility on the CAA by making it the designated agency for the hazardous substances and new organisms act for the aviation sector.
“This new funding will enable the CAA to meet its responsibilities, ensure compliance, as well as providing more education and outreach,” says Bridge.
“New Zealand’s maritime industry is both diverse and geographically spread, with many small and large operators. MNZ will use this funding to provide marine operators, masters and crew with information about health and safety at work requirements and how they can improve their safety,” he says.
“This additional funding will also allow improved investigative and legal operations, to detect and stop unsafe practices quickly, and more efficiently prosecute serious safety breaches in our maritime sector,” says Bridges.
The Government is investing $13 million more over the next four years in the Ministry of Transport, the Governments principal strategic adviser for transport policy.
“Our transportation system is growing and becoming increasingly sophisticated. This means Government needs the best possible advice on our increasing investment in roads, rail and public transport as well as on the emerging technologies and disruptive technologies that are changing the way we view transportation, both here and overseas,” says Bridges.
“This funding will help ensure we are in the best shape possible to have a transport system that meets our aspirations today and in the future,” he says.
