Road cones have become one of New Zealand's most visible symbols of bureaucracy and infrastructure costs. Industry leaders now say a major regulatory overhaul is delivering significant savings while exposing why some regions continue to struggle with excessive traffic management.
Report by elocal
A simpler approach replaces rigid rules
The Government's overhaul of temporary traffic management is beginning to reshape how road works are carried out across New Zealand.
Appearing on the Editor-in-Chief with Duncan Garner podcast, Northland traffic management operator Levi Anderson-Crewther explained that the previous system relied on a highly prescriptive manual that dictated almost every aspect of traffic management—from cone spacing to signage placement—regardless of the circumstances.
The new framework instead focuses on assessing actual risks at each worksite.
Rather than following a rigid formula, contractors, councils and other stakeholders now work together to determine the safest and most efficient traffic management plan for each project.
Millions already being saved
According to Anderson-Crewther, the changes are already producing tangible savings.
With fewer cones, fewer traffic management vehicles and fewer personnel required on many jobs, contractors are able to complete more work using fewer resources.
He told Duncan Garner that companies operating under the new system no longer need to send multiple trucks and large crews to every site, significantly reducing costs while maintaining safety.
The Government has previously stated that the reforms are expected to save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars through more proportionate traffic management.
Why Auckland still stands out
Despite Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's outspoken criticism of excessive road cones, Anderson-Crewther said Auckland Transport remains one of the most difficult road controlling authorities to work with.
He described multiple layers of consultation involving transport planners, bus operators, noise requirements and other stakeholders before work can proceed.
While Auckland has begun adopting the new risk-based framework, he believes changing long-established organisational culture will take considerably longer than elsewhere in the country.
More planning, fewer cones
The reforms do not simply remove road cones.
Instead, they require more planning before work begins.
Contractors are expected to consult affected parties—including councils, schools and local stakeholders—to identify genuine risks and design traffic management that reflects the specific conditions at each location rather than applying a standard template.
According to Anderson-Crewther, the additional planning often results in simpler traffic management once work begins, reducing unnecessary equipment and improving efficiency.
Public frustration remains
While many New Zealanders have welcomed efforts to reduce road cone numbers, Anderson-Crewther said frontline traffic management workers are increasingly bearing the brunt of public frustration.
He described a sharp rise in hostile interactions over recent months, including verbal abuse, objects being thrown at workers and, in some cases, physical assaults and firearms being produced during roadside confrontations.
He said traffic management staff are often blamed for decisions that are made by contractors or road controlling authorities rather than by the crews working on site.
Safety still matters
Despite criticism of excessive traffic management, Anderson-Crewther cautioned against assuming cones serve no purpose.
Modern roads present additional hazards through distracted driving, particularly motorists using mobile phones while driving.
He argued that while the previous system often went too far, traffic management remains essential to protect both road workers and motorists where genuine hazards exist.
Northland motorway projects progressing
The interview also touched on major transport projects in Northland.
Anderson-Crewther said planning continues for the extension of the Northern Motorway beyond Warkworth, with investigations underway for future stages towards Whangārei.
He argued that improved transport links would strengthen economic development, improve freight efficiency and create employment opportunities across Northland over the coming decade.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
The road cone debate has become about far more than orange plastic barriers.
It reflects a broader shift within the public sector towards risk-based regulation rather than prescriptive compliance. Similar reforms are occurring across workplace health and safety, environmental regulation and local government administration, where policymakers are increasingly asking whether rules should focus on achieving safe outcomes rather than enforcing identical processes.
For taxpayers, the implications are significant. If risk-based traffic management continues to reduce unnecessary staffing, equipment and delays without compromising safety, infrastructure projects could become considerably more cost-effective. At a time when New Zealand faces growing pressure to upgrade transport networks while controlling public spending, the success or failure of these reforms will likely influence how future regulatory systems are designed across government.
Source
Original Interview: Road Cone Waste: Traffic Boss Exposes Auckland Transport's Real Costs – Duncan Garner Podcast.