Why Land Transport New Zealand is involved

We want to increase the number of people walking because it’s better for the environment, better for everyone’s health and reduces traffic congestion in our communities.

Land Transport New Zealand’s statutory functions include to ‘promote land transport sustainability in New Zealand’ and ‘promote safe transport on land in New Zealand’.

The transport sector consumes more than 40 percent of New Zealand’s energy and is a major contributor to the country’s carbon dioxide emissions. On average, 16 percent of household income is spent on running vehicles.

We hope that our involvement in Travel Behaviour Change activities will help us meet our goals of encouraging enjoyable, safe, sustainable and active travel in New Zealand communities. 

Our work in this area is in accordance with the government’s vision, set out in the New Zealand Transport Strategy. The objectives of the strategy are:

• assisting economic development
• assisting safety and personal security
• improving access and mobility
• protecting and promoting public health
• ensuring environmental sustainability.

Funding for travel plans, walking school buses and other initiatives that focus on changing travel behaviour is made available from Land Transport New Zealand to approved organisations (eg local councils). Up to 75% of the total cost of a project will be funded through its National Land Transport Programme. More information on the funding process is available here.

Page created: 27 February 2008