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.
At the National Road Trauma Centre, we recognise that preventing road trauma and supporting people after a crash require attention at every stage. Our five strategic objectives cover prevention, emergency response and acute care, hospital care, primary care and rehabilitation, and psychological recovery and wellbeing.
These areas are connected. A person’s needs may change over time, and recovery may involve several forms of care and support at once. We work through education, trusted information and collaboration to help strengthen understanding and coordination across these stages.
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.
Strategic Plan
The National Road Trauma Centre’s Strategic Plan sets out how we will deliver our Strategic Direction 2026–2036 and achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities affected by road trauma.
Our Strategic Plan provides the practical framework that guides our priorities, decision-making, programmes, partnerships and organisational development. It reflects our commitment to prevention, collaboration, education, research and innovation while supporting coordinated, integrated care throughout the road trauma continuum.
Working alongside government agencies, emergency services, healthcare providers, researchers, industry and community organisations, we seek to improve road safety, strengthen healthcare systems and reduce the social and economic impact of road trauma across New Zealand.
Our Strategic Framework
Our Strategic Plan is guided by our Strategic Direction and is built around five interconnected strategic objectives that reflect the continuum of road trauma prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
These objectives provide the foundation for our work and ensure that every initiative contributes towards improved outcomes for individuals, families, communities and New Zealand as a whole.
Strategic Objective 1: Prevention and Road Safety
We are committed to preventing deaths and serious injuries before they occur.
Our work focuses on promoting evidence-informed road safety initiatives, supporting harm reduction, increasing public awareness and working collaboratively with partners to strengthen prevention across New Zealand.
Our priorities include:
- Road safety education and public awareness.
- Harm reduction initiatives.
- Community engagement.
- Evidence-informed prevention programmes.
- National collaboration.
- Policy leadership and advocacy.
Strategic Objective 2: Emergency Response and Acute Care
Effective emergency response saves lives and improves recovery.
We support initiatives that strengthen emergency response capability, improve collaboration between agencies and enhance patient outcomes immediately following a road crash.
Our priorities include:
- Multi-agency collaboration.
- Clinical excellence.
- Knowledge sharing.
- Workforce capability.
- National leadership.
Strategic Objective 3: Hospital Care
High-quality hospital care plays a critical role in improving recovery following serious injury.
We support initiatives that strengthen trauma care, improve clinical practice and encourage collaboration across the healthcare system to achieve better patient outcomes.
Our priorities include:
- Specialist trauma care.
- Clinical leadership.
- Evidence-based practice.
- Quality improvement.
- Healthcare collaboration.
Strategic Objective 4: Primary Care, Rehabilitation and Recovery
Recovery continues long after a patient leaves hospital.
We are committed to strengthening rehabilitation, improving continuity of care and supporting integrated recovery pathways that promote independence, wellbeing and quality of life.
Our priorities include:
- Rehabilitation services.
- Primary healthcare integration.
- Workforce development.
- Community-based recovery.
- Rural and regional access.
- Service coordination.
Strategic Objective 5: Psychological Recovery and Wellbeing
Road trauma can have lifelong psychological consequences for individuals, families and communities.
We support initiatives that strengthen psychological recovery, improve access to specialised care and promote long-term wellbeing through education, collaboration and evidence-based practice.
Our priorities include:
- Psychological recovery.
- Mental wellbeing.
- Trauma-informed care.
- Workforce education.
- Community support.
- Resource development.
Our Strategic Plan 2026–2036
Our Strategic Plan sets out the National Road Trauma Centre’s direction for the next ten years, guiding our work to prevent and reduce road harm and improve outcomes for people affected by road trauma across Aotearoa New Zealand.
It brings together prevention, education, research and collaboration, with a focus on connected, patient-centred care across emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation, recovery and wellbeing. Working alongside professionals, organisations and communities, we seek to share knowledge, strengthen coordination and make useful information more accessible.
The plan outlines a staged approach to our development, with future initiatives progressing as funding, partnerships and organisational capacity allow.
Download Our Strategic Plan 2026–2036 (PDF)
Version 1.0 | Approved Public Version