Councils are now required to adopt a risk-based approach to temporary traffic management if they want to continue receiving Government funding for local transport projects, as part of the Government’s ongoing crackdown on excessive road cone use.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the move will replace an outdated, prescriptive system with a more practical approach already being used by NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
“Too many councils still require contractors working on local roads to follow an outdated, overly-prescriptive Code of Practice for temporary traffic management,” Bishop says.
“This 500+ page behemoth of a document specifies in detail the exact spacing required between road cones, among many other requirements.
“NZTA has shown you don’t need armies of contractors painstakingly measuring the gaps between road cones like butlers setting the table at Buckingham Palace.”
Instead, contractors will be required to assess the risks at each worksite and implement traffic management appropriate to the job, rather than following a one-size-fits-all rulebook.
Bishop says the new approach has already delivered significant savings on the state highway network.
“The results speak for themselves. NZTA’s spend on temporary traffic management fell by around $46 million in the last financial year while maintaining safe worksites.”
The Government invests more than $1 billion each year in council transport projects through the National Land Transport Fund, and councils will now need to adopt the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management to remain eligible for funding.
Bishop praised several councils that have already made the transition.
“Chocolate fish go to Whangarei District Council, Auckland Transport, Hamilton City Council, Tauranga City Council, New Plymouth District Council, Porirua City Council, Marlborough District Council, Tasman District Council and Christchurch City Council.”
He said the new approach would improve efficiency without compromising safety.
“Safety will always come first. But there’s a world of difference between sensible safety measures and treating every suburban pothole like a motorway reconstruction project.
“The benefits go well beyond fewer cones.
“Contractors can focus on managing the real risks at each site, instead of following a one-size-fits-all rulebook. That means more efficient worksites, fewer unnecessary traffic management measures, and less disruption for motorists.
“Road workers deserve to go home safely at the end of every day, and motorists deserve traffic management that’s proportionate to the job being done.
“That’s exactly what this new approach helps deliver.”
The transition to the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management is already underway across NZTA, councils, the Department of Conservation and the utilities sector. All new contracts must use the new guide from today, with existing contracts required to transition by 1 July 2027.
According to NZTA, around 85% of temporary traffic management applications on the state highway network already use the risk-based approach.
