The 'Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency Strategic Maintenance Investment Justification Project' achieved unprecedented success in New Zealand, setting a new standard with its collaborative approach to project management, a first of its kind in Aotearoa.
IDS and WSP worked alongside Waka Kotahi (who were both client and a development team member), to expertly weave together an entire industry to answer Waka Kotahi’s "billion-dollar" question - “How much investment is needed to maintain our 24,000-lane km New Zealand State Highway network over the next three years and beyond?
Between May 2019 and March 2021, New Zealand’s best and brightest technical engineering minds came together to share their knowledge for the greater good. The core team led 10 development streams across three phases. The team members represented 14 industry organisations and 23 suppliers who willingly left their organisational hats at the door and achieved more as a group than anyone believed was possible.
 This saw the Project not only meet Waka Kotahi’s ambitious development and technical goals within budget and deadline but is also being hailed as a gamechanger in terms of professional excellence.
​The resulting model is a legacy they are universally proud of. It allows decision-makers to accurately understand how their investment strategy will impact road safety – and will ultimately save lives. ​The positive legacy of this industry-wide collaboration will be felt for generations to come.Â
Deighton Associates Limited played a vital role in this project, read their case study here.