34442 (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:	34442 (2026)
Question asked:	02 Aug 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_34442_2026
Document guid:	602bd1de-09d5-4c3c-895e-590fbd707a9c

34442 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: What indexation applies to the Unitary Charge payments for Warkworth to Te Hana, if any, and what, if anything, is the Crown's exposure if inflation exceeds the assumptions used at financial close?

Hon Chris Bishop: The Unitary Charge is partly indexed. It comprises an unindexable element and an indexable element. The indexable element is adjusted using a combination of indices, such as CPI, the Labour Cost Index (LCI), the NZTA Network Outcomes Index (NZTAnoi) and NZTA bitumen-related index components (NZTAnoib). If inflation in these indices exceeds the assumptions at financial close, NZTA's exposure is limited to the indexed components being adjusted in accordance with the agreed contractual indexation formulas.