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

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: J. Wills <[FOI #33364 email]>
Sent: Monday, 22 December 2025 8:32 pm
To: OIA <[MOT request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Green Flashing Lights

 

Dear Ministry of Transport,

 

I am 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.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

J. Wills

 

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