SuperGold bulk funding gap revenue loss from last FY & projection next FY
Miss M Quicken made this Official Information request to Wellington Regional Council
Wellington Regional Council did not have the information requested.
From: Miss M Quicken
Dear Wellington Regional Council,
Please provide
A) the report / other document council has relating to SuperGold scheme funding gap from the previous financial year.
B) Projections from revenue loss due to SuperGold funding gap for current or next FY
C) Risk register identifying the shortfall on SuperGold funding gap as well as the inability to identify the shortfall in question acting as causation for revenue loss
I am sure that the council has appreciated knowing the financial risks associated with funding shortfall from the fact central government moved to capped bulk funding over reimbursing individual fares.
The advice received as part of LGOIMA 2026 056 is incorrect given:
https://www.transport.govt.nz/area-of-in...
> The Government shifted to a bulk funding approach for the scheme instead of individual fare reimbursements, with the level of funding agreed between regional councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
And more importantly:
> Future projections show the number of people aged over 65 continuing to grow. To keep reimbursing individual fares would mean the scheme’s costs would continue to rise rapidly. Moving to bulk funding also brought SuperGold Card funding in line with the way other public transport funding is allocated.
And most critically central government has imposed cost on councils over the cap:
> Any cost overruns must be funded by councils, encouraging cost savings and efficiencies.
Yours faithfully,
Miss M Quicken
From: Jamie Wallace-Thexton
Wellington Regional Council
Kia ora Miss M Quicken,
I am writing to you regarding your request for information under the Local
Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
For the purposes of the response, we have designated the four emails you
sent on 20^th of March 2026 as a single request for information under the
Act designated as 2026-117.
In this email, we are seeking clarification of information you are
requesting, specifically with your references to a “SuperGold scheme
funding gap”.
Under the current funding model of the scheme, which was introduced in
2016, SuperGold concessions are funded by central government with a bulk
funding approach.
This means that Greater Wellington annually receives a lump sum of funding
for the concession, then a reporting process from Greater Wellington to
NZTA identifies any over or under funding and adjusts the subsequent
year(s) funding appropriately.
As a result of the above, Greater Welington does not consider that there
is a “gap” in the amount of the funding received, as the concession is
funded by central government and any discrepancy in the amount received is
adjusted for in the following year.
Greater Wellington is therefore asking that you clarify what you are
referring to by “SuperGold scheme funding gap.”
Please note that amendments to your request will reset the 20-working day
timeframe for a response as set out by the Act.
If we do not receive any clarification of your request, then we will look
to answer your current requests to the best of our understanding. This may
result in a refusal to this part of your request under section 17(e) of
the Act, wherein “that the document alleged to contain the information
requested does not exist”
Ngâ mihi,
Jamie Wallace-Thexton (he/him)
Kaitohutohu | Project Advisor
Metlink
M 021 972 588
100 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
To find out how to plan your journey, go to metlink.org.nz
show quoted sections
From: Samantha Gain
Wellington Regional Council
Tēnā koe Miss Quicken
Request for information 2026-117
I refer to your four requests for information dated 20 March 2026.
Our response is enclosed.
Ngā mihi
Samantha Gain | she/her
Kaiwhakahaere Matua Metlink | Group Manager Metlink
Metlink
100 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 11646, Manners St,
Wellington 6142
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ATTENTION: This correspondence is confidential and intended for the named
recipient(s) only. If you are not the named recipient and receive this
correspondence in error, you must not copy, distribute or take any action
in reliance on it and you should delete it from your system and notify the
sender immediately. Unless otherwise stated, any views or opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not represent those of
the organisation.
References
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From: Michelle Groves
Wellington Regional Council
Tēnā koe Miss Quicken
Request for information 2026-117
I refer to your four requests for information dated 20 March 2026.
Our response is enclosed.
Regards
Michelle Groves on behalf of Paul Tawharu, Group Manager Metlink (Acting)
Kaiāwhina Matua ki te Kaiwhakahaere Matua Waka | Executive Assistant to
Group Manager Metlink
Metlink
100 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 11646, Manners St,
Wellington 6142
Follow us online: [1]Facebook
[2]Metlink Co Branded logo
ATTENTION: This correspondence is confidential and intended for the named
recipient(s) only. If you are not the named recipient and receive this
correspondence in error, you must not copy, distribute or take any action
in reliance on it and you should delete it from your system and notify the
sender immediately. Unless otherwise stated, any views or opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not represent those of
the organisation.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.facebook.com/MetlinkOnOurWay/
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