The National Party's appointed one of its own to the top transport role, announcing former leader Simon Bridges as the new board chairman of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
Bridges held the Transport Minister portfolio while an MP and, since his 2022 retirement from politics, has more recently been the Auckland Business Chamber chief executive.
He'll now be the NZTA board chairman for a three-year term.
"Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role," Transport Minister Simeon Brown said in a statement on Monday.
"He will have a strong focus on delivery and outcomes and ensure that NZTA is working to implement the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS), which will provide the infrastructure New Zealanders need."
The GPS sets the Government's priorities for land transport investment over the next 10-year period, including how money from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) is spent on activities such as public transport, state highway improvements, local roads and road safety.
"Transport is a critical part of the Government's plan for economic growth and productivity, and I look forward to working closely with Simon over the coming years to deliver the Government's transport objectives," Brown said.
Bridges will take over from Cassandra Crowley who has been acting chair of the NZTA for the past three months.
