11657 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

Written Question

Published date: 10 Apr 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	11657 (2026)
Question asked:	25 Mar 2026
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister of Transport
Minister replying:	Hon Chris Bishop
Answer received:	06 Apr 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_11657_2026
Document guid:	66dcae11-51fc-4ab7-9b62-c4b673894d4e

11657 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Further to Reply 8826 (2026), on what specific basis does NZTA conclude that the number of individuals who did not reobtain a Class 5 licence confirms its prior road safety risk assessment, given that failing a licence test measures test performance rather than actual road safety risk?

Hon Chris Bishop: I am advised by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) that the New Zealand practical driving tests are designed to assess the ability of applicants to apply knowledge of road rules and safe driving practices, they are not a simple test of performance to operate a vehicle. Therefore, NZTA used these results to conclude that the number of individuals who did not reobtain a Class 5 licence confirms its prior road safety risk.