Waikato regional economic profile - Waikato Regional Council

4.2 Transport4.2.1 RoadThe current transport system in the Waikato region includes: a comprehensive road network (including state highways managed by the NewZealand Transport Agency and local roads managed by the city and districtcouncils) two main railway lines (including part of the North Island Main Trunk and theEast Coast Main Trunk) along with several shorter branch lines owned andoperated by KiwiRail Group a public transport (bus) network throughout the region managed by WRC inaddition to school buses and private buses and taxis, and local pedestrian and cycleways developed and managed by road controllingauthorities (the New Zealand Transport Agency, territorial authorities and theDepartment of Conservation).In addition, the region contains a major airport (Hamilton International Airport), aregional airport in Taupō, an inland port (Crawford Street inland port) facility inHamilton and a small sea port (Taharoa).Around 92 per cent of all freight (by weight) within New Zealand is moved by road. 121As average land transport costs per unit distance are around seven times those ofinternational sea transport 122 , the efficiency of this is of vital importance. An efficientfreight industry with access to cost effective transport is vital to the competitiveness ofNew Zealand businesses.Almost a quarter of total national freight movements by land in New Zealand eithertravel within, to, from, or through the Waikato region (51 million tonnes out of a nationaltotal of some 225 million tonnes). 123The Waikato region has more heavy commercial vehicle movements per day than anyother region. Heavy vehicle growth rates in the Waikato region are higher than thenational average 124 , a trend that will continue into the foreseeable future as the demandfor freight movement doubles by 2031. 125The state highway network in the region is the backbone of the roading network andcontains 16 per cent of the national state highway network (1,728 km). 126 By virtue ofits central location between the population centres of Auckland and Tauranga, theWaikato region carries a high proportion of through-traffic, particularly inter-regionalfreight traffic to and from the Ports of Auckland and Port of Tauranga. Strategiccorridors in the Waikato region are illustrated in figure 49.Seventy per cent of international tourists arrive in Auckland and a vast majority traveldown State Highway 1 127 to visit key national tourism assets accessed through theregion (Rotorua) or in the region (Waitomo Caves, Lake Taupō). Traffic volumes onstate highways in the region are shown in figure 50.The government has identified seven essential state highways that are linked to NewZealand’s economic prosperity, called the roads of national significance. 128 Thegovernment has reaffirmed its commitment to complete the Waikato Expressway(designated as a road of national significance) within 10 years (2019) through the121Paling et al (2008, p. ii).122New Zealand Productivity Commission (2011, p. 10).123Paling et al (2008, p. vii).124Data sourced from New Zealand Transport Agency Traffic data sets, 2009.125Paling et al (2008, p. 215).126Data sourced from New Zealand Transport Agency – Network Statistics 2009/10.127Data sourced from the Tourism Flow Model, Ministry of Tourism.128New Zealand Government (2009, p. 1).Page 46 Doc #: 2069885