Kia ora J,

 

On behalf of the Ministry of Transport, I acknowledge your Official
Information Act request of 22 December 2025 seeking:

 

“Any information held by the Ministry of Transport regarding work,
studies, proposals, or discussions on enabling the use of green flashing
lights (or beacons) on personal vehicles by volunteer emergency
responders.

This includes, but is not limited to:

 

Volunteer firefighters (e.g., associated with Fire and Emergency New
Zealand), Volunteer ambulance officers (e.g., St John Ambulance or
Wellington Free Ambulance), Search and rescue personnel (e.g., LandSAR New
Zealand or Surf Life Saving New Zealand), Coast guard members (e.g.,
Coastguard New Zealand).

 

Specifically, I request:

 

Any documents, reports, memos, emails, or correspondence related to the
potential introduction or amendment of legislation, rules, or regulations
(such as under the Land Transport Act 1998 or associated rules) to
authorise green flashing lights for these volunteers when responding to
emergencies.

Any studies, analyses, or consultations on the impact of such lights on
road safety, emergency response times, or traffic congestion, particularly
in the context of volunteers navigating busy roads to reach stations.

Details of any proposals, drafts, or bills considered or prepared on this
topic, including timelines and outcomes.

Records of any communications with other agencies (e.g., Fire and
Emergency New Zealand, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, or the Ministry of
Health) regarding this matter.

Information on whether similar systems in other countries (e.g., Canada,
Australia, or Europe) have been reviewed or considered for implementation
in New Zealand.”

 

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and in
any event no later than 11 February 2026, being 20 working days after the
day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request
by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

 

Ngâ mihi nui,

 

Breanne

OIA Adviser – Ministerial & Executive Services

Ministry of Transport Te Manatû Waka

 

 

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Kia ora J,

 

Notification of Transfer of your Official Information Act request

 

The information to which your request relates is more closely connected
with the functions of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

 

In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Official
Information Act 1982 to transfer your request.

 

Accordingly, your request of 22 December 2025 is being transferred to NZTA
today.

 

You will hear further from NZTA in due course.

 

Ngâ mihi

Neha

 

Neha Pawar (she/her)

Kaitohutohu Matua - Tuhinga Ôkawa | Senior Adviser – Ministerial and
Executive Services

Te Manatû Waka Ministry of Transport

 

From: OIA <[MOT request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 23 December 2025 2:16 pm
To: J. Wills <[FOI #33364 email]>
Cc: OIA <[MOT request email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Green Flashing Lights OC251178

 

Kia ora J,

 

On behalf of the Ministry of Transport, I acknowledge your Official
Information Act request of 22 December 2025 seeking:

 

“Any information held by the Ministry of Transport regarding work,
studies, proposals, or discussions on enabling the use of green flashing
lights (or beacons) on personal vehicles by volunteer emergency
responders.

This includes, but is not limited to:

 

Volunteer firefighters (e.g., associated with Fire and Emergency New
Zealand), Volunteer ambulance officers (e.g., St John Ambulance or
Wellington Free Ambulance), Search and rescue personnel (e.g., LandSAR New
Zealand or Surf Life Saving New Zealand), Coast guard members (e.g.,
Coastguard New Zealand).

 

Specifically, I request:

 

Any documents, reports, memos, emails, or correspondence related to the
potential introduction or amendment of legislation, rules, or regulations
(such as under the Land Transport Act 1998 or associated rules) to
authorise green flashing lights for these volunteers when responding to
emergencies.

Any studies, analyses, or consultations on the impact of such lights on
road safety, emergency response times, or traffic congestion, particularly
in the context of volunteers navigating busy roads to reach stations.

Details of any proposals, drafts, or bills considered or prepared on this
topic, including timelines and outcomes.

Records of any communications with other agencies (e.g., Fire and
Emergency New Zealand, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, or the Ministry of
Health) regarding this matter.

Information on whether similar systems in other countries (e.g., Canada,
Australia, or Europe) have been reviewed or considered for implementation
in New Zealand.”

 

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and in
any event no later than 11 February 2026, being 20 working days after the
day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request
by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

 

Ngâ mihi nui,

 

Breanne

OIA Adviser – Ministerial & Executive Services

Ministry of Transport Te Manatû Waka

 

 

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Kia ora J

 

This email acknowledges your below request for information made under the
Official Information Act 1982.

 

Your request has been transferred from the Ministry of Transport to the
appropriate section of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for response. They
will contact you if they require clarification of your request, more time
to respond, or if your request has been transferred to another
organisation to respond to. Unless more time is required, NZ Transport
Agency will send a response to you within 20 working days of receiving
your request – in this instance on or before 24 February 2026.

 

If you would like to discuss your request with NZ Transport Agency, please
contact us by email at [1][email address].

 

Ngâ mihi

 

Ministerial Services
Te Waka Kôtuia | Engagement & Partnerships
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

[2]Connect with us on Social Media

 

[3][IMG]

 

 

 

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