50 Victoria Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
7 July 2021
Phillip Hart
[FYI request #15677 email]
REF: OIA-8261
Dear Phillip
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email of 4 June 2021 requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Please advise what is the time frame for the recently announced Walking and Cycling Bridge
across Auckland Harbour to achieve carbon neutrality. That is, given the carbon impact of the
materials for and construction of the bridge vs the estimated reduced carbon emissions from users
of the bridge.
Please also include the detail of the estimated number of vehicle crossings that will be eliminated
by the bridge in the first year after its completion. This should include the estimated proportion of
bridge cyclists and walkers that have migrated from public transport to cycling/walking and from
passenger vehicles to cycling/walking.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency does not have a timeframe for the Northern Pathway to achieve
carbon neutrality. However, the Northern Pathway will aim to achieve successful independent
verification of its sustainability performance using the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia
(ISCA) Rating Scheme. The ISCA scheme assesses all aspects of sustainability including governance,
economic, environmental and social outcomes. The Northern Pathway will provide positive sustainable
outcomes and contribute to the Waka Kotahi's Sustainability Action Plan
Toitū Te Taiao by providing a
low carbon, safe and healthy land transport system
.
Waka Kotahi is currently working to establish the wider network benefits expected from construction of
the separate structure for the Northern Pathway. While an estimate of the number of vehicle crossings
that will be eliminated by the bridge in the first year is not currently available, Waka Kotahi forecasts
that the Northern Pathway will attract 4,500 daily users when it opens in 2026. This will increase to
6,560 daily users by 2046.
I am therefore refusing your request under section 18(g) of the Act, because the information you have
requested is not held by Waka Kotahi.
Under section 28 of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision to refuse
this request. The contact details for the Ombudsman can be located at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
If you would like to discuss this reply with the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, please contact
Ministerial Services, by email to [email address].
Yours sincerely
Andrew Thackwray
National Manager Infrastructure Delivery
