34384 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

34384 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Does he agree with the statement made by the then-Minister of Transport in November 2024, on appointing Mike Rudge to the NZTA board, that the board had the right mix of skills to deliver the Government's priorities including the Roads of National Significance programme?

Hon Chris Bishop: As per the Cabinet Manual, each Minister is responsible for exercising the statutory functions and powers under legislation within their portfolios, in the collective Cabinet decision-making context. I also refer the member to my announcement of 9 July 2026, which welcomed the Board’s decision to balance the Roads of National Significance Programme alongside other investments across the wider transport network. These decisions reflect that growth needs to be balanced against significant financial pressures and ensuring we maintain a resilient and safe network that keeps communities connected. These are complex decisions for the NZTA Board that have trade-offs. The Board also need to consider these decisions alongside business transformation. I consider that the appointment decisions I made will better equip the Board as they continue to navigate this operating environment in the years to come.