29555 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

Written Question

Published date: 18 Aug 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	29555 (2026)
Question asked:	23 Jun 2026
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister of Transport
Minister replying:	Hon Chris Bishop
Answer received:	12 Aug 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_29555_2026
Document guid:	c66d9d93-4982-4357-8514-3e0e59d7999a

29555 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Did the Minister direct or encourage NZTA, as NZTA has been reported as doing so, to treat Wellington Airport as a priority stakeholder on the SH1 Wellington Improvements Project, and if not, was he aware that NZTA was doing so?

Hon Chris Bishop: No. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) independently identifies stakeholders for the projects it leads. For the State Highway 1 Wellington Improvements project, the investment objective endorsed by the NZTA Board includes improving access to key destinations such as Wellington Airport and Wellington Hospital to support regional economic growth. I am advised by NZTA that Wellington Airport is therefore considered a key stakeholder on that basis.