Client: Ministry of Transport
MartinJenkins led a significant independent review of the regulatory capability and performance of the New Zealand Transport Agency for the Ministry of Transport. Our review was an input into a monitoring review commissioned by the Minister of Transport under section 132 of the Crown Entities Act. We looked at the underlying causes of the issues with NZTA regulatory performance and used a proven framework that looks at strategy, governance, leadership, culture, structure, relationships, technology, analysis and people. We reviewed 250 documents and held 72 structured interviews.
Our many findings in this review included: poor governance oversight over regulatory obligations; lack of clear regulatory strategy; lack of a comprehensive regulatory scope (for example, to include road safety and speed, and adequate focus on rail regulation); problems implementing regulatory decision-making; issues with applying sanctions in a timely manner when appropriate; and a focus on providing a service when the primary role is to regulate (for example, service efficiency approaches to issuing of licenses).
Our review report contrasted what we found against expected good practice for effective regulation. The review findings resonated among regulatory agencies and continue to inform the thinking and practice in the New Zealand public sector. The final report is available here.
NZTA fully supported our recommendations and in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport took a number of steps to strengthen the regulatory function, including appointing a General Manager of Regulatory Compliance.
