Auckland’s new Regional Transport Committee has been appointed, marking the next step in reforms aimed at improving coordination between local and central government.
The statutory committee will set long-term strategic direction for the region’s transport system, develop a 30-year transport plan and prepare the Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan.
It comprises three ministerial appointees, three Auckland Council representatives and a jointly appointed chair.
Transport minister Chris Bishop says the committee will play a critical role in aligning local and central government priorities.
“For too long, Auckland’s transport system has suffered from fragmented decision-making and a lack of clear long-term direction,” Bishop says.
“These reforms are about putting in place stronger governance, greater accountability and a clear strategic focus for Auckland’s transport future.”
Daniel Williams has been appointed chair for a one-year term from September 14, 2026, to September 13, 2027.
The ministerial appointees are Carl Blanchard, Bronwyn Coomer-Smit and Stuart Shepherd, who will serve for the same period.
Auckland Council’s representatives are councillors Andy Baker and Shane Henderson, along with mayor Wayne Brown. Brown will sit on the committee for its first three months before being replaced by councillor and former transport minister Maurice Williamson.
Brown says establishing the committee is a significant step towards a more integrated approach to transport planning.
“The ARTC is a unique committee, established through transport reform that formed one of my cornerstone policies to fix Auckland’s transport system and improve how major transport decisions are made,” he says.
“Major projects don’t go wrong overnight, they start wrong. That’s why it’s critical the committee gets the foundations right from day one and provides the governance and oversight needed to make good decisions early.”
The Auckland Regional Transport Committee was established under the Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Act 2026, which came into force on May 7.
