The government’s choice: grand highways for some, or safe roads for all

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, an outspoken road safety campaigner, says:

“As of Monday 17 April 2026, 19 people were killed in 15 separate crashes on New Zealand roads within just 10 days."

“Sixteen of these deaths occurred on open roads without median barriers."

“Why weren’t these roads fitted with median barriers? Mainly because funds to fix our third-world roads are instead being spent on grand highways."

“According to credible studies, by simply fitting median barriers and roadside fencing to existing roads, reductions of up to 90% in death and serious injury can be achieved, with no evidence of increased road trauma for motorcyclists.” [1]

“The government has allocated $39 billion for the maintenance and operation of state highways and local roads.[2] That sounds like a lot, but it's spread across the entire roading network. By comparison, the long-term cost of the government’s ‘Roads of National Significance’ is estimated to be between $44 billion and $56 billion.'[3]

“$56 billion would be enough to provide most of our existing highway network with world-class protection. Instead, the same funds are being spent on a few roads that mainly benefit the trucking industry and property developers.”

“For example, the government’s proposed Warkworth-to-Te Hana link is expected to cost between $3.5 billion and $4 billion, meaning this 26km highway will be the most expensive road in New Zealand’s history.”[4]

“New highways offer convenience and safety, but only over relatively short distances, as they are extremely expensive and therefore limited in length.”

Matthew-Wilson believes the two biggest lobby groups for new highways are property developers and trucking companies.

“Property developers buy land near major cities for future development. They then lobby politicians for highways that link nearby cities to these developments. As soon as a highway is announced, the developers’ land increases significantly in value. In this way, developers become very wealthy from new highways while contributing little to their cost."

“Trucking companies also heavily lobby for new highways but avoid most of the associated costs."

“Effectively, trucking companies grow rich off the backs of ordinary motorists.”

Matthew-Wilson claims trucking companies also lobby against life-saving roundabouts.

“Roundabouts can reduce fatal intersection collisions by 90%, yet they are relatively rare on highways in this country. Why? At least part of the reason is because trucking companies hate roundabouts;  roundabouts slow trucks down, and time is money, as far as trucking companies are concerned.”

Matthew-Wilson acknowledges that some new highways are necessary.

“Some roads are simply too old and unsafe for modern conditions. In a world with unlimited funding, the government could upgrade or develop nearly every road in New Zealand."

“However, funds are limited. Priority should go to projects that will save the most lives. If trucking companies and developers want new roads for their own convenience, they should bear the true costs.”

“The government does not need to build grand new roads to save lives. Consider the Auckland Harbour Bridge: it used to suffer around one serious crash per week. Traditional enforcement campaigns made little difference. However, after a median barrier was installed, serious crashes virtually disappeared overnight and did not return."

“What does that tell you? Politicians should halt these large highway projects and instead commit to improving safety on the ordinary roads that ordinary people use, and die on, every day.”