Thank you for taking the time to touch base with the Queenstown Lakes
District Council.
 
Should your enquiry be urgent, please phone Queenstown 03 441-0499 or
Wanaka 03 443-0024. Otherwise, your request will be forwarded to the
appropriate staff member or contractor to be actioned as soon as possible.
 
Warm Regards,

The QLDC Customer Services Team

Kia ora Wayne,

 

Ref: LG26-0193 - Snow Chain and Winter Driving

 

Thank you for your request for official information, received on 6 June
2026.

 

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is currently considering your
request and will provide a decision as soon as reasonably practicable, and
no later than 6 July 2026, unless otherwise advised.

 

QLDC is committed to the principle of availability and appreciates the
opportunity to assist you with your request.

 

Kind regards,

Larissa

 

Democracy Services

Corporate Services | Queenstown Lakes District
Council [2]QLDC-Logo_CMYK_Blue

P: +64 3 441 0499

E: [1][email address]

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From: [FOI #34863 email]

Sent: Saturday, June 6, 2026 9:08 AM

To: [Queenstown-Lakes District Council request email]

Subject: Official Information request - Snow Chain - Winter Driving

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Dear Queenstown-Lakes District Council,

I am making this request under the Local Government Official Information
and Meetings Act 1987.
This request relates to any QLDC requirement, policy, procedure,
delegation, operational arrangement or contractor instruction concerning
when snow chains are required to be fitted to vehicles on roads within
QLDC’s district, including roads providing access to ski fields where QLDC
has any role, responsibility, involvement or influence.
Please provide the following information:
The current policy, rule, procedure, delegation, contractor instruction or
operational guidance that sets out when snow chains must be fitted to
vehicles.
The defined criteria used to decide when chains are required. For example,
whether the decision is based on snow depth, ice, road surface
temperature, weather conditions, vehicle type, road gradient, crash risk,
Police advice, contractor advice, ski field advice or any other objective
criteria.
Any documents that explain who has authority to require motorists to fit
chains, including whether that authority sits with QLDC staff,
contractors, ski field staff, Police or any other party.
Any delegations, contracts, memoranda of understanding, agreements or
operational arrangements that give contractors or ski field staff
authority to direct motorists to fit chains.
Any training material, induction material, qualifications, standard
operating procedures or competency requirements for contractors, ski field
staff or any other people who make decisions about requiring motorists to
fit chains.
What legal mechanism is being utilised to grant staff of a private company
to instruct members of the public to utilise snow chains on a public road.
Any risk assessments, health and safety assessments, legal advice,
engineering advice or operational reviews relating to the decision to
require chains.
Any records, reports, emails, meeting notes or briefings from the last
five years that discuss whether snow chains should be required, when they
should be required and who should make that decision.
Any investigation, assessment or advice undertaken by QLDC regarding the
use of snow tyres or winter tyres as an alternative to chains.
Any records that explain why the benefits of snow tyres or winter tyres
have not been adopted into QLDC’s chain requirement system, if that is the
case.
Any consideration given to a simple identification system for vehicles
fitted with recognised winter tyres, such as a user pays sticker, permit
or other visible approval system.
Any correspondence between QLDC and ski field operators, contractors,
Police, Waka Kotahi, insurers or road safety advisers regarding snow
chains, snow tyres, winter driving requirements or access road safety.
For clarity, I am not seeking general public messaging that simply says
chains must be carried or fitted. I am seeking the underlying decision
making material, authority, criteria, training material and evidence base
for requiring chains to be fitted.
If any part of this request is refused, please identify the specific
grounds relied on under LGOIMA and provide the remainder of the
information that can be released.
If any information is held by another agency or contractor, please
transfer that part of the request under section 12 of LGOIMA or advise me
who holds it.

Yours faithfully,

Wayne Scott

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