32912 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

32912 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: What assurances has he sought or received that conflicts of interest have been managed, if any, after Arup has acted as a client-side adviser to NZTA on the Warkworth to Te Hana public-private partnership, formed part of the unsuccessful Go North bidding consortium, and is part of the preferred independent reviewer joint venture for that project?

Hon Chris Bishop: I have received assurances from NZTA that any potential conflicts of interest arising from Arup's involvement in the Warkworth to Te Hana public-private partnership have been appropriately managed. NZTA has advised that the procurement process was subject to oversight by an independent probity adviser and a separate probity auditor, and that it remains confident that any potential conflicts have been effectively addressed.