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.
Strategic Enablers
Successful delivery of our Strategic Plan is supported through several key organisational priorities.
Leadership and Governance
Strong governance provides the foundation for effective decision-making, accountability and long-term sustainability.
Collaboration and Partnerships
Meaningful collaboration enables us to leverage expertise, share knowledge and maximise collective impact across the road trauma sector.
Education and Workforce Development
We are committed to building capability through education, professional development and workforce training that strengthens knowledge and improves outcomes.
Research and Innovation
Evidence, research and innovation underpin our strategic decision-making and help identify opportunities to improve prevention, healthcare and recovery.
Knowledge Sharing
We seek to improve communication, resource development and information sharing that supports professionals, organisations and communities across New Zealand.
Measuring Success
We are committed to monitoring our progress and continually improving our work through evidence-informed evaluation.
Success will be measured through:
- Strong governance and organisational performance.
- National partnerships and collaborative initiatives.
- Improved education and workforce capability.
- Research translation and knowledge sharing.
- Development of practical resources.
- Increased community engagement.
- Sustainable organisational growth.
- Improved outcomes across the road trauma continuum.
Working Together
Reducing the impact of road trauma requires a coordinated national response.
The National Road Trauma Centre will continue working alongside government agencies, emergency services, healthcare providers, researchers, industry, iwi, community organisations and individuals with lived experience to deliver initiatives that improve prevention, strengthen healthcare systems and support recovery.
Together, we can create safer communities, stronger partnerships and better outcomes for everyone affected by road trauma.
Looking Ahead
As the National Road Trauma Centre continues to grow, our Strategic Plan will evolve to reflect emerging evidence, changing community needs and new opportunities for collaboration.
Guided by our Strategic Direction 2026–2036, we remain committed to leading positive change, strengthening partnerships and supporting excellence across prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and psychological recovery.
Through collaborative leadership, innovation and evidence-informed practice, we will continue working to reduce the impact of road trauma and improve outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities across New Zealand.