The AA welcomes the investment in road maintenance announced by the Government today as great news for all road users.

The indicative funding allocations for the next three years shows a much-needed increase in money for work to repair and renew road surfaces. The AA says this will be music to the ears of many communities wanting to get their roads back to the standard they should be.

“Roads from Cape Reinga to Bluff are desperately in need of more investment in maintenance and repairs, and it is great to see the Government recognising that,” says AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.

Two of the AA’s top Election Calls to political parties ahead of the 2023 General Election were to revive essential road maintenance and make the road network more resilient.

“AA Members have rated the quality of road surfaces as their leading transport concern for several years and those concerns have been growing,” says Dylan.

In 2018, 55% of those surveyed were concerned about the quality of road surfaces and potholes. In 2020, this had increased to 65% and by 2023 it reached 72%.

"Nearly three quarters of AA Members throughout New Zealand are concerned about the quality of road surfaces.”

Dylan says the quality of a road’s surface has a very real impact on safety.

“Even the best drivers risk losing control if the surface doesn’t provide good grip and potholes create additional risks such as vehicles swerving to avoid them. They are an even worse risk for riders on two wheels.

“If Councils and roading authorities delay maintenance it can also mean even more potholes and greater long-term repair costs down the track."

The surge in potholes in recent times reflects that New Zealand hasn’t been investing enough in road maintenance for many years, compounded by increases in traffic volumes and more extreme weather events.

“Today’s funding announcement is a good start and it is going to take multiple years of consistent work to get the roads back into shape.

“In these tight financial times it’s going to be imperative to get the best bang for buck possible out of each dollar invested in road maintenance and look for every opportunity to do work smarter and more effectively.”

ENDS

For more information contact:

Dylan Thomsen
Road Safety spokesman
New Zealand Automobile Association
Mob: 027 703 9935