11661 (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:	11661 (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_11661_2026
Document guid:	2307bde6-bb11-42c3-bc9e-1021a9dd7c28

11661 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Further to Reply 8826 (2026), when NZTA advises that it "assessed the likely road safety risk associated with this group as above average," which specific group does that refer to — the 498 impacted individuals, the 424 provided with an opportunity to sit tests, the 159 who passed, or some other cohort; and when was that risk assessment conducted?

Hon Chris Bishop: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises that the reference is to a cohort of 818 individuals who converted overseas driver licences from the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to New Zealand Class 2–5 driver licences, where the individuals were not nationals of those countries. This cohort of 818 included the 498 impacted individuals, as well as 320 others, whose licence conversions were confirmed as valid. NZTA further advises that the road safety risk assessment for this cohort was completed in July 2025.