State highway pothole patrol successful

About 98% of potholes on state highways are fixed within 24 hours, according to the New Zealand Transport Agency.

This exceeds government targets set in July, which ordered NZTA to repair 95% of potholes on main state highways and 85% of those on regional state highways within 24 hours of discovery.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the result shows how far the Government has come in addressing the pothole problem. 

“New Zealanders can now travel more safely and smoothly, with fewer delays and hazards on the road,” the Minister says.

“The improvements are clear. Since the targets came into effect, NZTA has consistently met them each month, supported by smarter repair techniques that make temporary fixes last longer until permanent work can be completed, instead of relying on simple cold-mix patches.”

He says that maintaining a safe, reliable highway network underpins the country’s growth.

“Lifting productivity to help rebuild our economy and build New Zealand’s future remains a major focus for this Government.”

The Government has dedicated $3.9 billion to a Pothole Prevention Activity Class over three years. Its focus is resealing, rehabilitation and drainage maintenance. 

“With roughly $2 billion allocated to state highways, NZTA has been delivering an extensive programme of work, including consistently high volumes of road rehabilitation, a process that rebuilds full road sections rather than relying on resealing alone.”

Bishop says the Government’s Pothole Prevention Fund is supporting 290 lane kilometres of rehabilitation work over the summer, similar to the substantial amount completed last year. 

“Keeping rehabilitation levels this high will significantly reduce the likelihood of potholes forming.”

Potholes form when water seeps into the cracks, weakening underlying road layers. Repeated pressure from vehicles driving over them causes the road to fall apart.

Freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates can cause more potholes, as water trapped under the surface expands when it freezes, pushing the road upward and creating cracks.

The cost of potholes goes beyond road repair. They can cause flat tyres, bent rims, suspension damage and alignment issues. 

Pothole-related vehicle damage costs Kiwi drivers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Slow traffic, more fuel use, more road accidents and injuries, and delayed commutes and deliveries also reduce productivity and safety. 

Report potholes on state highway networks by calling 0800 HIGHWAYS.