Our strategic framework
Our work is guided by a strategic framework that aligns with the Government’s aim to improve New Zealanders’ wellbeing and quality of life no matter where they live in the country.
As the Government’s system lead on transport, our purpose is to enable New Zealanders to flourish. This means we aim to be bold, invested and collaborative.
Our vision for New Zealand’s transport system includes:
- inclusive access
- healthy and safe people
- economic prosperity
- environmental sustainability, and
- resilience and security.
To achieve this, our functions include:
- leading system direction and strategy
- shaping regulatory stewardship mechanisms
- monitoring and evaluating system and government agency performance
- influencing to achieve broader government outcomes
- driving revenue raising and investment choices
- influencing development of international standards
As steward of the transport sector we look for opportunities to shape a better future and build our capability by making sure we have the right skills, tools and structures, and provide our people with the right opportunities to succeed.
When we assess policies and programmes, we consider how they will deliver on the outcomes in the framework. We also measure them against the Government’s priorities and ensure they fit into our strategic focus areas
Our work includes the Government work programme, focus-area-specific deliverables and organisational foundations.
Transport outcomes framework
In 2018, the Government transport agencies agreed a common outcomes framework for the sector that ties in with our strategic framework.
The framework is supported by strategic plans and initiatives that help shape the direction of changes in the transport system, and we use it to help us work out the impact of those changes.
It lays the groundwork for a strategic approach, and identifies what the Government aims to achieve through the transport system.
Every year we report on the work we do and how it supports the outcomes in the framework.
Work carried out in 2018/19 against Transport Outcomes
Rautaki Pāhekoheko Engagement Strategy
It is vital that Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport has an effective stakeholder Engagement Strategy, to create policy that enables New Zealanders to flourish and responds to the needs of everyone in the transport system. Through engagement activity we share what we’re working on, ask for input and learn what matters to our stakeholders. Our Rautaki Pāhekoheko Engagement Strategy outlines the principles and values that underpin our approach to engagement.
Rautaki Pāhekoheko Engagement Strategy [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Every two years we commission a stakeholder engagement survey, in order to get an independent view of stakeholders’ perceptions. The next survey is taking place in 2022.
Results of the 2020 stakeholder engagement survey(external link)
Hei Arataki — Improving transport outcomes for Māori
In 2019 we developed Hei Arataki — the Ministry’s Māori strategy — to improve transport outcomes for Māori. Hei Arataki acknowledges that New Zealanders are not flourishing if Māori are not flourishing, and sets out our strategic direction to identify issues and opportunities for Māori in transport design and delivery.
Hei Arataki was designed by our Māori Strategy Working Group, with input from across the Ministry and other government stakeholders. The group considered a Ministry-wide approach to working with and for Māori in a way that is underpinned by the principles of Te Tīriti o Waitangi and informed by a kaupapa Māori approach.
Important parts of the strategy include:
- developing strategic partnerships with other agencies that respond to and support the unique needs and aspirations of Māori as tangata whenua
- building staff capability and cultural competencies to consider te ao Māori perspectives in all we do
- improve the quality of our policy work.
Why this work is important
Hei Arataki helps us develop good policy advice and supports:
- our purpose: Enabling New Zealanders to flourish — if Māori are not flourishing, we are not achieving our purpose
- our value of collaboration — we are connected and journey with others
- our obligations as a Crown–Māori Treaty partner.
Ngā uara matua o Hei Arataki – Our guiding principles
Rangatiratanga – Empowering and leading
We recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles. We communicate honestly, share and co-design, and understand and commit to the Crown-Māori relationship.
Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship and support
We recognise the role we play to safeguard and protect the transmission of Māori knowledge and taonga.
Whanaungatanga – Collaboration and unity
We engage and work with Māori people and organisations to leverage collective aspiration and capabilities.
Manaakitanga – Caring for and valuing others
We support and encourage each other, and we create environments that respect and value Māori people and Māori ways of seeing, thinking and feeling.
Our kaupapa
We also developed iconography for this website that reflects Hei Arataki.