Every life matters.
Every part of
the journey.

The Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as National Road Trauma Centre welcomes changes to New Zealand’s road rules that aim to improve safety and better reflect how people use our roads.

Children aged 12 years and under will be permitted to ride bicycles on footpaths, with parents and caregivers able to accompany them.

• E-scooters will be permitted in cycle lanes.
• Drivers will be required to leave a minimum distance of 1.5 metres when passing other road users.
• Road users will be required to give way to buses leaving bus stops in areas with speed limits of 60 km/h or less.

These changes support a safer and more inclusive transport environment, particularly for children, cyclists, e-scooter users and people travelling by public transport.

The National Road Trauma Centre encourages everyone to become familiar with the new requirements before they take effect. Safer roads depend on shared responsibility, considerate behaviour and road users looking out for one another.

Further information is available from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

The National Road Trauma Centre is pleased to announce the key dates for the 2026 New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards.

The Awards recognise outstanding individuals, organisations and community initiatives that have made a significant contribution to road safety, emergency response, healthcare or support for people affected by road trauma in New Zealand. Nominations are welcomed from within New Zealand and internationally where the contribution has delivered a meaningful benefit to New Zealand.

• Nominations open: Monday, 7 September 2026
• Nominations close: Sunday, 31 January 2027
• Awards Ceremony: Thursday, 18 March 2027, Westpac The Terrace, Corporate Office and Event Space, Christchurch

Further information, including the Official Awards Guide, Award Criteria and nomination forms, will be available when nominations open on Monday, 7 September 2026.

Today the National Road Trauma Centre appeared before the Justice Committee regarding the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill. The submission focused on the impacts of alcohol-related road trauma, including road deaths, serious injuries and the significant social, economic and wellbeing impacts experienced by individuals, families and communities throughout New Zealand.

The Centre acknowledged evidence presented regarding declining alcohol consumption trends and the increasing availability of low- and no-alcohol products. However, alcohol-related road trauma continues to result in preventable harm and remains an important road safety issue.

The submission also highlighted that while road deaths rightly receive significant attention, many more people survive crashes with serious and life-changing injuries.

The National Road Trauma Centre also acknowledged the many individuals affected by road trauma who have shared their stories, experiences and insights over many years. Their voices continue to contribute to greater understanding of road trauma in New Zealand.

National Blood Donor Week recognises the thousands of New Zealanders who generously donate blood and blood products to help save lives every day.

For people seriously injured in road crashes and other major trauma events, donated blood can be a critical component of emergency care. Blood products support patients experiencing severe blood loss and are often required alongside emergency response, hospital care, trauma teams, and surgical treatment.

Recent national data from the New Zealand Trauma Registry shows that transport-related incidents remain the leading cause of major trauma in New Zealand, accounting for approximately 49% of all major trauma cases nationally. In 2024/25, New Zealand recorded 2,808 major trauma admissions, highlighting the ongoing importance of maintaining a safe and reliable blood supply to support trauma and emergency healthcare services.

To find out more, check your eligibility, or book a donation, visit nzblood.co.nz.

The Government has announced a $35 million investment into ambulance service initiatives across New Zealand to support frontline services, workforce capacity, infrastructure, technology upgrades, and increased operational capability across the emergency response and healthcare system.

Recent national data from the New Zealand Trauma Registry shows transport related incidents remain the leading cause of major trauma in New Zealand, accounting for approximately 49% of all major trauma cases nationally. Car related crashes accounted for 21% of all major trauma cases, while motorcycle incidents represented 12%.

Ambulance services are often the very first point of care for people experiencing serious injury. This recent Government announcement acknowledges both the importance of ambulance services and the critical work frontline ambulance teams undertake every day across New Zealand.

Road trauma extends beyond fatalities and crash statistics.

Long-term physical injuries, psychological trauma, and recovery impacts also require greater recognition and coordinated support.

• Greater recognition of trauma-informed and patient-centred care
• Increased awareness of the psychological impacts of road trauma
• Improved integration across emergency response, hospital care, rehabilitation, and recovery
• Greater visibility of the long-term impacts of road trauma
• Recognition of lived experience across the continuum of care and recovery
• Opportunity to contribute to the consultation process and share experiences and insights

Consultation closes 18 May 2026.

For further information: https://consult.health.govt.nz/mental-health/consultation-mental-health-wellbeing-strategy/

A key amendment to the Privacy Act 2020 takes effect from 1 May 2026, introducing a change in how personal information is managed across New Zealand's health, emergency response, and support systems.

This change introduced through the Privacy Amendment Act 2025 requires organisations to take reasonable steps to notify individuals when their personal information is collected from another agency.

If information about you is gathered from elsewhere in the system, you should now be made aware of it. This applies to personal information collected on and from 1 May 2026.

In the context of road trauma, information about an individual is often shared across multiple parts of the system including service providers, hospitals, and services across the health system responsible for treatment, care, and recovery, as well as support organisations involved in care and recovery.

What this means for practitioners

• Take reasonable steps to inform individuals when information is collected from another organisation.
• Ensure processes support transparency and clear communication.

What this means for individuals

• Greater awareness of how your information is collected and used

• The right to request access to your personal information

• The right to request correction of incorrect or incomplete information This change supports greater transparency across the system and may assist individuals and services to better understand how information is shared during care and recovery.

For more information on your privacy rights and how these changes may apply, visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at https://www.privacy.org.nz

Under the Privacy Act 2020 (Privacy Amendment Act 2025).

Your personal information may be shared between organisations. You should be informed if your information is collected from another organisation.

• Take reasonable steps to inform individuals when information is collected from another organisation.
• Ensure processes support transparency and clear communication.
• Greater awareness of how your information is collected and used.
• The right to request access to your personal information.
• The right to request correction of incorrect or incomplete information.

Applies to personal information collected on and from 1 May 2026.

For further information see the Office of the Privacy Commissioner: https://www.privacy.org.nz

Recent national data shows that transport-related incidents remain the leading cause of major trauma in New Zealand, accounting for 49% of all cases nationally (1,389 cases). While injuries from falls have increased in recent years, they represent 34% of cases (956 cases), meaning road crashes continue to have the greatest overall impact when it comes to serious injury.

This information comes from the New Zealand Trauma Registry, which is part of a national system led by Health New Zealand I Te Whatu Ora. The registry brings together data from hospitals across the country, supported by partners including ACC and the Trauma National Clinical Network, to build a comprehensive picture of serious injury in Aotearoa.

Transport-related trauma includes people travelling in vehicles as well as more vulnerable road users. Car-related crashes make up 21% of all major trauma cases (589 cases), followed by motorcycle incidents at 12% (337 cases), with pedestrians and cyclists also contributing to serious injury outcomes. These figures reflect the everyday reality of risk on our roads and the wide range of people affected.

One of the reasons transport-related injuries remain so significant is the nature of these events. Road crashes often occur at speed and without warning, leading to more severe injuries and, in many cases, involving multiple people at once. Across New Zealand, 2,808 people were admitted to hospital with major trauma in 2024/25, the highest number recorded to date.

Beyond the immediate impact, these events can have lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities, while also placing considerable demand on emergency services, hospitals, and long-term rehabilitation support.

This highlights the importance of continuing to work together across prevention, emergency response, and ongoing care to reduce harm and support better outcomes for everyone affected.

The NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) is consulting on proposed lane use improvements as part of a wider review of New Zealand’s land transport rules. The purpose of this consultation is to ensure that lane-use regulations remain fit for purpose, reflect how people travel today, and support a safer and more efficient transport system. As travel patterns evolve and new transport modes become more common, the rules governing how lanes are used need to be updated and clarified.

The consultation is seeking feedback on several key proposals, including clarifying the rights and responsibilities of different road users, updating lane-use rules to better reflect current travel behaviours, allowing e-scooters and similar low-powered vehicles to use cycle lanes where appropriate, introducing minimum overtaking gaps when motorists pass cyclists and other vulnerable road users, and requiring certain vehicles to give way to buses re-entering traffic from bus stops.

The consultation closes on 25 March 2026. Full details, supporting documents, and information on how to make a submission are available on the NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) Public Consultation Hub at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/about-us/public-consultation-hub/current-consultations/.

The Awards Executive Committee for the New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards will meet on Friday, 27 February 2026 to carefully consider this year’s nominations.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has taken the time to prepare and submit nominations for the New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards. The quality and depth of submissions received this year reflect the extraordinary leadership, service and commitment demonstrated across road safety, emergency response and healthcare throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

This stage of the process is undertaken with great care and integrity, reflecting the responsibility of recognising excellence across road safety, emergency response and healthcare throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Nominators can expect to be formally advised of outcomes no later than Monday, 2 March 2026.

On behalf of the Trust, it is with great pleasure we announce our most recent Trustee appointment, Dr Darren Walton, PhD, a nationally respected research leader, data scientist and evaluation specialist whose work has shaped public policy and system performance across transport, justice, health and policing in Aotearoa New Zealand. As Director of Crow’s Nest Research and Adjunct at the University of Canterbury in Psychology and Criminal Justice, Dr Walton brings more than two decades of applied research, national data analysis and evidence based policy development.

Dr Walton’s expertise spans national data analysis, advanced statistical modelling, Treasury-level business case development and cost benefit analysis, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation using large administrative datasets. His work has supported the Ministry of Transport, New Zealand Police, Ministry of Health, NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) and other agencies to strengthen evidence informed decision making at a national level.

Dr Walton’s work spans prevention, response and recovery across the road trauma continuum. His expertise in road safety research, crash risk modelling and transport behaviour strengthens the evidence that informs safer systems. Using national data and robust evaluation methods, he helps identify where risk sits and how systems can respond more effectively, supporting stronger alignment between prevention strategies, frontline response and long term recovery.

On behalf of the Trust, it is with great pleasure we announce our most recent Trustee appointment, Jason Tippet. Jason is an emerging leader who brings thoughtful governance insight, cultural depth and a strong commitment to public service to his role with the Trust.

He is of Ngāi Tahu descent and is affiliated with Te Taumutu Rūnanga. Grounded in te reo Māori and kaupapa Māori values, Jason brings a lived understanding of kaitiakitanga, guardianship and intergenerational responsibility. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to protecting people, whenua and community wellbeing.

Jason is also a weather forecaster (matapae huarere), with a strong interest in interpreting and communicating environmental information. This analytical, systems and evidence based perspective complements his contribution to governance and strategic thinking within the Trust.

He has contributed to the Trust’s policy and advocacy work, including supporting the development of a submission relating to emergency legislation. His involvement demonstrates a clear understanding of accountability, system improvement and the importance of ensuring that the voices of those impacted by road trauma are represented within national discussion.

ACC has today released its new Strategy 2026-2029, alongside its Statement of Intent 2026-2030, Service Agreement 2025/2026, and Letter of Expectation, outlining how it will deliver its performance turnaround over the next four years.

These documents serve different but complementary purposes:

• Their Strategy 2026-2029 sets the long-term direction and priorities for strengthening rehabilitation outcomes and financial sustainability.

• Statement of Intent 2026-2030 outlines ACC’s medium-term objectives, performance measures, and accountability commitments to Government and the public.

• Service Agreement 2025/2026 details the operational expectations, funding parameters, and service delivery targets for the coming year.

• Letter of Expectation provides guidance from the responsible Minister, setting strategic priorities and performance expectations for ACC.

Together, these documents provide transparency around how ACC intends to improve timeliness, service coordination, financial management, and prevention investment. For road crash survivors, this framework matters because it sets clearer expectations for faster access to care, stronger rehabilitation outcomes, and greater accountability for how ACC supports recovery.

On behalf of the Trust, it is with great pleasure we announce our most recent appointment: John Barr, Chair of New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards Executive Committee.

John Barr serves as Chair of the Awards Executive Committee for the New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards. He is a respected business advisor with Ayrshire e.b.a. and currently holds several senior governance roles, including Chair of Canterbury Scientific Ltd and President and Director of St George’s Hospital Society. He also chairs multiple healthcare advisory boards and supports governance projects and mentoring initiatives nationally.

John brings extensive board-level experience across healthcare, pharmaceutical manufacturing, scientific, and community sectors. His breadth of governance expertise, commercial insight, and commitment to strong ethical leadership provide valuable strategic oversight to the Awards programme, supporting its continued national development and reinforcing its credibility across road safety, emergency response, and healthcare sectors throughout New Zealand.

In November 2025, the New Zealand Government announced changes under the Medicines Amendment Act to expand nurse practitioner (NP) prescribing powers, improving access to patient-centred primary care for people recovering from road crashes.

Key updates include:

• NPs can now prescribe a wider range of medicines, including alternatives during shortages + Faster access to essential medications, reducing delays in primary care * Fewer GP visits and more coordinated care tailored to individual patient needs

Road crash survivors often require ongoing support for injuries such as sprains, whiplash, fractures, and cuts. In 2024, ACC recorded 35,676 new road crash injury claims, with an average cost per claim of $14,500. Expanded NP prescribing powers help manage both physical and psychological recovery by coordinating care with physiotherapists, primary health care providers, and community services.

The Trust supports this patient-centred approach. These changes are designed to provide timely, accessible care, particularly for patients in rural or underserved communities.

The Government has announced a new oral-fluid roadside testing programme, an important step toward reducing road harm and saving lives. Under the new programme, Police will be able to stop any vehicle at any time to screen for THC (cannabis), Methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy) and Cocaine.

The rollout will begin in Wellington this December, expanding nationwide by mid-2026. This programme aims to strengthen how New Zealand tackles drug-impaired driving — through better enforcement, education, and accountability — to make our roads safer for everyone.

Serious crashes do not just affect those directly involved. The grief, trauma, and disruption extend to bystanders, first responders, the wider community, and our healthcare system. Every crash prevented means fewer hospitalisations, less trauma for responders, and fewer families left grieving.

Nicholas Henare was nineteen when his life changed in a second.

A split second of divided attention and a late reaction to a corner was all it took for the then Sony Music Executive to experience a devastating crash, permanently altering the course of his life.

“I ended up breaking nearly every bone in my body. If it wasn't for a first responder who found me, and I was literally down the road from the hospital, I wouldn't have made it," recalls Henare.

Henare is now a real estate agent, the latest in a long line of varied and exciting careers, and rarely talks publicly about the crash that nearly ended his life. He said that many people in his life are unaware that it happened. But he believes stories like his matter, especially for people like him navigating the same daunting road to recovery.

“I am one of very few who came out of an accident like that and actually live."

Henare was on his way to a business meeting when the crash happened. “I was changing the tape in my car looking down for just a second,” he admits, “and I just didn't take the corner, it was just that simple.”

According to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, 2,453 people were seriously injured in road crashes in 2023. Survivors like Henare are often left with a long road to recovery, not only physically but also mentally.

“Looking back on it, I definitely had post-traumatic stress disorder for a couple of years. At the time, I really struggled with figuring out who I was.”

Henare spent two weeks in a coma, followed by eight months in hospital, where he formed deep bonds with hospital staff. “I wasn't expected to live. I was very lucky that I had a great team of doctors and hospital support crew.”

But once discharged, reality hit hard. “I'd gone from being a pretty high-flying guy, you know, nice cars and nice houses and great job, to flatting and just figuring out who I was again." At just 24 years old, he found himself having to rebuild his life from the ground up. “I was hobbling around and trying to get up to my second-story flat, which was really hard. I was out of work and living on ACC, and my whole life changed.”

When asked what his advice would be to other survivors in his position, Henare keeps it simple. “Take your time. I rushed to get back to where I'd been, but you just aren't there anymore. Just relax and don't stress."

"My biggest advice would be to talk to people. Whether it's a counsellor or a family member or it's just a bloody good friend.”

While New Zealand's Safe System approach to road safety has made significant improvements in overall road safety, Henare is realistic. “We've come a long way, but sometimes an accident is an accident. The roading is so much better than it used to be, but accidents are just what happens.”

While a crash like Henare’s might be expected to put a survivor off driving, it actually pushed him into the driving seat. While working in radio and television, he got a chance to review a Ferrari 458, which led him to a role working around the world with BMW. “I don't let the accident scare me, I still drive on motorways and I still have a fast car - I love it.”

These days, his life is as dynamic as ever. This weekend, Henare is judging an international BBQ competition. Tonight, he is off to a wool fashion show. “I'm in real estate full time, and | still do MC work for causes I care about like the upcoming New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards."

Henare is particularly passionate about giving back. “What you give out is what you get back. That's why I always say yes to charity work. And if being the MC at an awards night helps even one survivor feel seen, then I'm doing something right.”

That's why he believes initiatives like a National Road Trauma Centre could be invaluable. “At the time, I wouldn't have wanted to face it. But looking back, having a place where people understand what you're going through? That could change lives."

He pauses. “People don't realise how hard it is until they're living it. And even your best friends, even if they've watched you go through hell and back, they still won't truly get it.

Thirty years on, Henare lives with both the scars and the strength forged from his crash. “The accident was tragic and awful, but at the end of the day, you can't let it stop you from living your life. I appreciate life more than ever.”

He hopes that by sharing his story, others will find hope in their own recovery.

"You've got to go for what you want,” he says. “Because in 1993, I learned the hard way that you might be here today, and gone tomorrow."

Motivation to create change comes in many forms, but for Sergeant Steven Knox, it came with a tragic undertone.

When he was just a teenager, Knox's good friend was killed by a drunk driver. From then, he vowed he would spark the change.

“I made a graveside promise that I'll join the police one day and make a difference,” he said.

At age 40, Knox joined the force and road police shortly after to honour that promise, with his main deployment being State Highway 5 in the North Island. He and his team had "started to notice a trend of fatalities increasing” in the late 2010s, so in 2020, he decided it was time to take action.

“Here I am thinking ‘this is my opportunity to do something good for the community, but also, it lives my graveside promise I made to my friend that I'll make a difference."

From there, Knox got in contact with police officers, both the Taupo and Hawke's Bay Councils, Waka Kotahi and contractors, and thus, ‘Stay Alive on 5’ was born.

The campaign encompassed many changes, with road safety billboards and electronic signs urging motorists to slow down and alerting them to tight corners put in place.

Additionally, police presence increased on the road, with both marked and unmarked patrol vehicles working in tandem as well as utilising speed camera vans.

The results speak volumes to his work.

In the 20 months prior to the campaign, SH5 had seen 13 fatalities along with 183 accidents, totalling at a social cost of over $84 million dollars.

The first 20 months of Knox’s campaign? Not a single fatality.

Only 81 crashes were recorded, with two being serious, only costing $3.5 million. Four years later (2020-2024), there were only two fatalities recorded, lower than the four-year period prior to the campaign's implementation.

Even Kiwi motorsport legend and Hawkes’ Bay native Greg Murphy took notice, as Knox said he called him “out of the blue”.

“[He] said 'I've been seeing the good work that's been going up there that you've been driving’.

"He said that he'd like to use his media platform to promote the good work as well... on his reach he's got a few thousand I believe from my last look."

Off the back of some truly remarkable mahi, Knox was awarded with the National Award for Road Safety in 2024. The acknowledgement recognises achievements made by individuals and/or organisations that improve road safety through excellent practice, design or technical application.

“I was quite chuffed because it's a big thing. I hadn't been nominated before for any national award, so it was pretty cool,” Knox said.

“We don't do the job for awards, but it was nice to get a pat on the back.”

He exemplified rubbing shoulders with large organisations such as Auckland Transport left him feeling a strong sense of pride and accomplishment that he'd made that promise cast many moons ago a reality.

"It was a very good event, and I felt quite humbled,” he said.

“I thought in my mind ‘yeah, I've done a good job. I'm happy’.

Like many of his fellow award winners, Knox whole-heartedly backed the importance of the award's existence, as he said it helps celebrate people doing "some fantastic work out there."

"To get people put forward for any recognition is huge, because not a lot of people get a pat on the back and it's very nice when you do, especially at that level.”

He also praised the simplistic nature of the nomination-to-award process, highlighting how "to write what I needed to put forward for the whole process was fairly easy.”

Knox strongly encouraged those out there doing it to nominate others, saying there's no feat too small.

It doesn't have to be huge things... if it's done good by the community to do with road safety and the results are showing, put through a nomination.”

“Don't be afraid to give someone a pat on the back because I reckon that's a good place to be."

Looking forward, Knox hopes to implement a similar campaign on State Highway 2 due to a rise in fatalities, and possibly beyond.

“Obviously I can't brand stay alive on five down there because five doesn't rhyme with two," he said laughing.

“I'm quite keen to go to the National Road Police Headquarters in Wellington with everything on this and say ‘hey, this could be a good template or resources that are going to be very helpful for other people around the country.”

In his words, truck driver Michael Baty was “just doing his part”. In reality, he saved Colleen Reid’s life.

After her car flipped over driving along Nevis Bluff on State Highway 6, Reid was unnoticed by passers-by for 24 hours. The crash had left her car hidden by dense bush, leaving her trapped in her own vehicle, unable to communicate for help.

Baty, who had seen posts on Facebook and Police articles that Reid had disappeared, remained vigilant on his commute. From his elevated position, he spotted Reid, and after calling 111, waited with her until emergency services arrived.

In those precious minutes, Baty provided her with reassurance and comfort as they held tight for help.

According to the Cromwell man, it was “literally only two minutes” until police arrived on the scene after he had alerted them, and another three for the rescue helicopter.

“There was a lot of adrenaline and shock that she was alive. Having her look up at me is a feeling I can't describe," Baty said.

As a result of his actions, Baty was nominated and subsequently the winner of the National Award for Community Service in 2024, an honour that recognises members of the community who have provided outstanding care or support to a road trauma victim.

When asked what it meant to him, Baty said he was "shocked and privileged” for the award and lamented that he's "just a genuine bloke."

“I didn't expect anything for it; I was just doing my part.”

Baty may have believed he just did what any person would do, but when Area Road Policing Manager Steven Watt got wind of the award's existence, he didn't think twice to nominate the selfless truck driver.

“I instantly thought of Michael and thought ‘what a well deserving person for this award”, Watt said.

“It was a simple form document that I had to fill out. [It] didn't take much time at all, and it was quite well set out and informative.”

Watt said this kind of award holds an incredible amount of significance, especially when regarding Kiwi's tendencies to shy away from the spotlight.

“We're a country of humble people. We don't like to be recognised, and we don't like to push people forward to be recognised for extraordinary acts."

"I think we have to get past that humility and go ‘you know what, these are deserving people’. We need to step up and show the country and show others that we do have exceptional people out there and rightly recognise them through awards." However, the impact of the award doesn't just end at celebrating the individual.

In a sector such as road trauma and transportation in general, the narrative is dominated by negative, dreary headlines.

There's good reason for that too. In a 2022 study conducted by the Australian Government, New Zealand ranked fourth highest out of the 31 OECD countries in terms of road deaths per 100,000.

While those statistics demonstrate New Zealand's roads do face problems, Watt said recognitions such as the Community Service Award celebrates examples like Baty's that are setting a new precedent for how the sector is viewed.

“It's important to not ignore the negative but instead focus on the positive and build on that.”

“I don't want to take away from the trauma but there is a lot of really good stuff that happens on our roads. Whether it be an example like Michael's or the engineering of roads or new initiatives... It's not all bad."

In 2017, Auckland Transport's (AT) Head of Road Safety Engineering, Michael Brown said they had recognised a “real issue” with deaths and serious injuries on their roads. A 70% increase of both categories since 2014 confirmed the issue.

Instead of providing excuses, Brown and his team acted, introducing the ‘safe speeds’ programme in 2020.

The programme centred around lowering road speeds and setting more appropriate limits, initially starting on rural roads and reducing speeds in the City Centre.

The results speak for themselves.

“[On] higher speed, rural roads... we've had really, really good stats on the reductions on deaths and serious injuries,” Brown said.

Brown went on to explain that past those initial tinkers in the rural sectors, AT worked on creating safer spaces for pedestrians and cyclists in town centres, residential areas and around schools.

“It would mean that kids are more likely to walk to school, or the parents would feel more comfortable with the kids walking to school," he said.

"You see an uplift in that number of people walking and cycling and the perception of safety was also increased.”

In the present, the stats now paint a far more positive picture. Crash data suggests the programme led to a 33% decrease in fatal crashes, 13% decrease of death and serious injury crashes and an 18% reduction of all injuries in general.

Deservingly, Brown and the AT team were awarded with the National Award for Road Safety in 2024. The recognition acknowledges organisations and industry professionals alike on work that improves road user safety through excellent practice, design or technical application, making AT a prime candidate.

"We've always talked about being able to tell a story and being able to get recognition for what we've done. It really gave the team the courage or the confidence to keep pushing forward as much as they can... it was awesome,” Brown said.

“It kind of gives you the sense of ‘yeah, we're doing the right thing’, so it was a really timely award."

Brown alluded to the importance of having these style of awards, as it actively shows the New Zealand public positive work being done in the sector.

Brown and Auckland Transport have made strides in ensuring Auckland road users’ safety.

“There's a lot of people in New Zealand [who] want the best for the communities, and they want the communities to be safer... they want to see an improvement in road safety.”

“Having this recognition at a national level to say, ‘this team is doing the right thing and they're in the right direction’, it really helps your case.”

Brown said he would be ‘very supportive" of nominating individuals, teams and organisations alike for the award, as the importance of lifting one another up cannot be understated.

“That whole sense of celebrating success is really, really key to having high performing teams and making sure people are really committed to what they want to do.”

Looking forward, Brown said he and his team will be working with elected member to develop local board road safety plans going forward, with a focus on speed management, road safety infrastructure and road safety education.

“It’s going to be more tailored to where people are wanting to make changes," he said. "We're going to do road safety with the community as opposed to doing road safety to the community.”