Asset Management Planning for New Zealand Local Roads

Wairoa District Council is responsible for managing approximately 800kms of roads on the East coast of the North Island of New Zealand (Wairoa District Council 2018). Despite funding assistance from the New Zealand Transport Agency, a small and declining population means funding the maintenance, operations and renewals of the transport network is challenging for Council. Increasing demands on the Council network is changing the level of service requirements, stretching the already limited resources further. Ensuring a best practice asset management process is being followed will assist Council in meeting the required level of service in the most cost-effective manner. \n \nThis study has reviewed New Zealand Legislative requirements, government policies and manuals, and guides to understand asset management planning requirements. A further literature review of international standards, manuals, and guides was completed to further strengthen understanding of best practice asset management approaches. A best practice approach specific to New Zealand local roads asset management planning was developed from the literature review, and a review of Wairoa District Council’s asset management planning processes against the best practice approach was completed. \n \nThe review revealed the Council’s level of service statements, risk management, investment decision-making, and data management processes did not meet best practice requirements. An improved level of service model and new level of service statements were developed for Council’s local road network in accordance with best practice requirements. Recommendations were also made for improving risk and data management processes and improving investment decision making. The adoption of the recommendations by Council will strengthen their asset management approach and allow more informed decisions to be made in allocating Council’s finite resources.