Call for upgrade of NZ roads

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

The roading network in New Zealand is rapidly falling behind Australia, says Mazda NZ managing director Peter Aitken.

"In the 1970s and 80s, I believed the road network here had the measure of the roads in Australia," he said.

"But when you drive the roads of Australia today, especially in Melbourne and Sydney, you begin to realise just how far this country has fallen behind."

Aitken said the roading system in New Zealand had not kept pace with the influx of vehicles, spearheaded by Japanese imports.

"The end result is congested roads and disgruntled motorists."

In 1988, there were 1.4 million passenger cars in New Zealand, said Aitken. In 2002, there were 2.1 million.

That's an increase over 14 years of 700,000 cars - at a rate of 50,000 a year or roughly 1000 a week.

"Add in the 500,000 commercials on the road and we have a total of 2.6 million [passenger] vehicles - a population purchase rate second only to the USA."

Aitken said the recent road funding package announced by the Government was a step in the right direction.

"However, the momentum has to continue, especially within metropolitan Auckland.

"While it is easy for those outside 'jafaland' to be critical of the percentage distribution towards Auckland, the reality is that Auckland remains the commercial hub of the country."