Strategic Direction
2026–2036
Introduction
Our Strategic Direction 2026–2036 establishes the long-term vision for the National Road Trauma Centre. It provides the strategic framework that guides our leadership, governance and decision-making, reflecting our commitment to prevention, the Safe System approach, patient-centred care, collaboration and evidence-informed practice across the road trauma continuum.
As New Zealand’s national organisation dedicated to road trauma prevention, education and recovery, we work collaboratively with government, emergency services, healthcare providers, researchers, industry, iwi and community organisations to improve outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities affected by road trauma.
These include:
- Strategic Objectives
- Continuum of Integrated Care Model
- Integrated Road Trauma Operational Model
- Strategic Implementation Roadmap
- Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Together, these frameworks support a coordinated approach to improving outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities affected by road trauma throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Safe System
The National Road Trauma Centre supports New Zealand’s Safe System approach, recognising that while people make mistakes, deaths and serious injuries are preventable through a transport system designed to anticipate human error and minimise harm.
The Safe System recognises that responsibility is shared between road users and those who design, manage and operate the transport system. Through leadership, education, collaboration and advocacy, we work alongside our partners to strengthen safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles and safer road use, contributing to a future where no death or serious injury is considered acceptable.
Patient-Centred Care
People affected by road trauma remain at the centre of everything we do.
We promote a patient-centred approach that recognises the physical, psychological, social impacts of road trauma. By supporting coordinated, integrated care across the entire continuum from prevention and emergency response through to rehabilitation and long-term recovery we seek to improve health outcomes, reduce inequities and empower individuals and whānau throughout their recovery journey.
Evidence-Informed Practice
Evidence-informed practice underpins everything we do.
The National Road Trauma Centre is committed to promoting the use of high-quality evidence to inform prevention, education, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and psychological recovery. We recognise that lasting improvements in road safety and health outcomes are achieved through research, continuous learning, evaluation and collaboration across multiple disciplines.
By supporting the translation of research into practice, we seek to strengthen decision-making, improve service delivery, encourage innovation and ensure our programmes, resources and strategic initiatives remain responsive to emerging evidence and the evolving needs of New Zealand communities.
Continuum of Integrated Care Model
The Continuum of Integrated Care Model provides an integrated, whole-of-system framework that recognises road trauma as a journey extending beyond the crash itself. It acknowledges that effective care begins with prevention and continues through emergency response, hospital care, rehabilitation, psychological recovery and long-term wellbeing.
The model adopts a patient-centred approach, recognising that every individual’s recovery journey is unique. Rather than following a fixed pathway, people may move between different stages of care depending on their physical injuries, psychological needs and changing circumstances.
By promoting collaboration across health, emergency response, rehabilitation, government, community and research sectors, the model supports a more coordinated approach to improving outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities affected by road trauma.
The National Road Trauma Centre developed the Continuum of Integrated Care Model to provide a strategic framework that recognises road trauma as a lifelong journey extending beyond the crash itself. While significant progress has been made in road safety, the needs of people affected by road trauma continue long after emergency response and hospital treatment.
The model demonstrates how prevention, emergency response, hospital care, rehabilitation, psychological recovery and long-term wellbeing are interconnected. It recognises that every person’s recovery journey is unique and that individuals may move between different stages of care depending on their changing needs and circumstances.
By promoting collaboration across government, emergency services, healthcare, rehabilitation, research and community organisations, the Continuum of Integrated Care Model supports a more coordinated, patient-centred approach to improving outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Five Stages of the Continuum
- Prevention – Supporting initiatives that reduce the likelihood and severity of road trauma before it occurs.
- Emergency Response and Acute Care – Coordinated emergency response and immediate medical care following a crash.
- Hospital Care – Specialist assessment, treatment and inpatient care to optimise recovery.
- Primary Care, Rehabilitation and Recovery – Ongoing healthcare, rehabilitation and community support to maximise recovery and independence.
- Psychological Recovery and Wellbeing – Supporting the emotional, psychological and social wellbeing of individuals and whānau throughout recovery.
Supporting Better Outcomes
The Continuum of Integrated Care Model demonstrates that improving outcomes following road trauma requires collaboration across prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and psychological recovery. By recognising the interconnected nature of these stages, the model supports a more coordinated, patient-centred approach that contributes to improved health, wellbeing and long-term recovery for individuals, whānau and communities.
Bringing Our Strategic Direction to Life
Our Strategic Direction 2026–2036 provides the framework that guides the National Road Trauma Centre’s priorities, programmes and partnerships. It reflects our commitment to reducing the social and economic impact of road trauma by strengthening prevention, improving patient-centred care, supporting recovery and wellbeing, and promoting collaboration across the road safety, emergency response and healthcare sectors.
As our organisation continues to grow, this Strategic Direction will evolve to respond to emerging evidence, national priorities and the changing needs of individuals, families, communities and professionals affected by road trauma.