NZTD News

Despite rising global trade tensions and looming tariff changes, New Zealand exporters remain optimistic and resilient, with two-thirds (79%) maintaining or growing their export volumes over the past year, according to the 2025 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer. 

The annual survey, which tracks exporter sentiment and trends, reveals that 59% of Kiwi exporters expect to increase their exports in the coming 12 months, even as concerns over trade wars and proposed tariffs intensify. 

Selina Deadman, Vice Presi...

“If we say no to tolls, we’re saying no to new highways, because infrastructure doesn’t come free, and someone has to pay,” says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett. “Therefore, it’s disappointing to see local mayors lining up to oppose tolling the proposed Woodend Bypass.”

“We all need to face facts; if we want safer, faster, better highways, the users of those roads need to be willing to pay something for them. As a nation, we naturally want the best of everything, but that doesn’t come for free.”...

New Zealand’s most ambitious road maintenance project to rebuild the worst parts of State Highway 1 (SH1) between Tīrau and Waiouru will begin its second construction season on 1 September 2025.

By early 2026, contractors working for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will have rebuilt more than 66km, or 27 per cent, of SH1 between Tīrau and Waiouru.The SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance Project (T2W) completed 49.4km of road rebuilding in the first season between September 2024 and April 2025. 

Proposed tolling for Canterbury’s new Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass (B2P) strikes a balance between helping pay for much-needed infrastructure and minimising impacts on local communities, says New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

When built, the B2P project – one of the Roads of National Significance prioritised by the Government – will provide a 10km four-lane motorway extension north of Christchurch and a bypass that reduces the heavy traffic burden on State Highway 1 through the town of ...

National Road Freight Association Transporting New Zealand says that road freight companies have a key role to play in avoiding accidents at level crossings, as TrackSAFE Foundation’s Rail Safety Week (11–17 August).

The theme of this year’s rail safety week is “Stay off stay safe – Tracks are for trains” – emphasising that walking or crossing anywhere but official railway level crossings is dangerous and illegal.

Between 2010 and 2020, 52 fatal and serious injury incidents occurred at level crossings, with research suggesting...

The Light Traffic Index (LTI) rose 1.4% in July and is 0.9% higher than a year ago. The more volatile Heavy Traffic Index (HTI) lifted 1.8% in the month, and is up 2.8% y/y.

Light traffic (motorbikes, cars and vans) is generally a good indicator of the state of demand, as opposed to production. It typically provides a six-month lead on momentum in the economy, with variation reflecting discretionary spending on outings, movement of couriers and tradespeople etc. The trend in light traffic has been only very mildly upwa...