Parts of Southland's roading network are approaching a "tipping point", and the district mayor has put that warning in writing to the country's transport agency.
Southand District Mayor Rob Scott has written a pointed letter to NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) chair Simon Bridges, questioning the agency's funding model and arguing that southern road users are subsidising infrastructure elsewhere in the country.
The numbers are stark. The council asked for about $147 million in the previous funding round and received only $124 million — despite $174 million actually being needed to keep the network in shape. Scott says around $229 million will likely be required over the next three years.
"The level of deferred renewal demand is becoming increasingly difficult to manage, and we believe parts of the network are approaching a tipping point," he wrote.
NZTA's current funding assistance rate of 55 percent, Scott argues, doesn't reflect what the network actually demands — pointing to pavement rehabilitation, ageing drainage, bridge renewals and the growing pressure of climate-related damage.
Southand manages more than 1,000 bridges and approximately 5,000km of roads, roughly 3,000km of which are unsealed. That's a vast network to maintain, and the money isn't keeping pace.
"With rates capping on the horizon and the underlying cost pressures continuing to intensify, our ability to sustainably maintain the network is becoming increasingly constrained, and this is compounding," Scott said.
His frustration extends beyond the raw funding figures. The region generates national transport revenue through fuel excise duties and road user charges, he argues, while the community carries a disproportionate share of the maintenance cost. The fight, he makes clear, isn't about building new roads — it's about keeping what already exists from falling apart.
Scott has requested a meeting with the NZTA board. The agency confirmed receipt of the letter.
"The board will respond directly to the mayor to address these concerns," an NZTA spokesperson said.
The letter, dated July 15, was included in a Southland District Council agenda for a meeting held on Wednesday.
Southand isn't alone in its frustration. West Coast Regional Transport Committee chair Peter Ewen has resigned from his role after 15 years, citing growing anger at how NZTA distributes funding. Ewen said transportation funding was being prioritised in urban centres like Auckland, and that NZTA was not completing work unless it was absolutely necessary.
NZTA acknowledged it has to make hard calls. "Making best use of this funding is also what taxpayers expect of us. Where there is an urgency to address issues that may affect safety, such as potholes, we remain committed to a rapid response," a spokesperson said.