Active travel — walking, cycling, and other non-motorised transport for everyday journeys — has significant health, environmental, and transport benefits. New Zealand has made significant investment in active travel infrastructure and programmes. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is the primary national funder for active travel infrastructure:
- Active Travel Fund: National investment in walking and cycling infrastructure
- Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy: Long-term active travel investment framework
- Urban and rural active travel infrastructure
- Safe Routes to School
Waka Kotahi funds regional councils and local authorities for active travel infrastructure — community organisations may access these through council partnerships.
Local councils are the most important partner for active travel in New Zealand:
- Capital works: Footpath and shared path construction
- Bike lanes and cycle paths: Road marking and infrastructure
- Safe school zones: Road safety near schools
- Bike parking: Secure cycling facilities
Community groups advocating for active travel need council alignment and support.
Active travel intersects with health priorities:
- Health NZ: Physical activity investment — walking and cycling for health
- Green Prescriptions: Te Hiringa Hauora / Health Promotion Agency funds green prescriptions that include walking and cycling
- PHOs: Community physical activity commissioning
- Heart Foundation NZ: Active living — Heart Foundation Walking groups
Safe Routes to School and school active travel:
- MOE school transport: Bus routes — encouragement of walking and cycling as alternatives
- School zone safety: MOE/NZTA partnerships for safe school environments
- Walking School Buses: School-based walking programmes
Cycling Action Network (CAN): National cycling advocacy — some programme investment.
Bike NZ: National cycling organisation — recreation and commuter cycling.
Regional cycling trusts: Some regional trusts fund trail development.
Active travel as climate response:
- Climate funders: Sustainable transport as emissions reduction
- Community trusts: Sustainability and active travel investment
- Regional councils: Climate action plans with active travel components
Multi-use trails for recreation, tourism, and active travel:
- Waka Kotahi: Shared path investment
- DOC: Trails on conservation land (Great Rides, cycle trails)
- Regional economic development: Trails with tourism benefit
- Regional councils: Open space and trail networks
Strong active travel applications demonstrate:
- Problem context: What barrier to walking or cycling exists?
- Infrastructure specifics: Proposed path or facility with cost estimates
- User numbers: How many people will use the infrastructure?
- Safety: How the project improves safety for active travellers
- Health outcomes: Physical activity increase, chronic disease reduction
- Connection: How the project connects to existing active travel network
- Climate/sustainability: Vehicle trips avoided if relevant
- Community support: Engagement and backing from local community
Tahua's grants management platform helps organisations manage active travel grant applications, track infrastructure project funding, and demonstrate the health and transport outcomes that funders value.