28021 (2026). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Transport

Written Question

Published date: 23 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	28021 (2026)
Question asked:	09 Jun 2026
Member asking:	Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
Portfolio:	Minister of Transport
Minister replying:	Hon Chris Bishop
Answer received:	17 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_28021_2026
Document guid:	91a9786a-d3af-4856-b8fd-c5117740090d

28021 (2026). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Transport: What funding, if any, has been allocated since 2023 for safety improvements on the Desert Road, and what specific projects has that funding supported?

Hon Chris Bishop: NZTA has advised that while there has been no funding specifically for safety improvements, they have completed maintenance on this route to ensure it is kept to a safe standard. This included the SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance project which rebuilt and resurfaced 34.5 lane kilometres of highway which improved the road surface and skid resistance.