Freight Policy Explained: What the Supply Chain Strategy and GPS 2024 Mean for Operators

Two government documents do most of the work of setting the direction for road freight policy: the Freight and Supply Chain Strategy published by the Ministry of Transport in 2023, and the Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 (GPS 2024), which guides how the National Land Transport Fund is spent. Neither changes an operator's legal obligations overnight, but together they explain where money is going, what the Government wants from the freight system, and some of the costs operators will face.

This article summarises what each document says, using the Ministry's own publications, and what that means in practical and insurance terms. An earlier version of this page referred to a "Freight Action Plan 2024 to 2027". We could not find a document by that name in the Ministry's published material, so this page has been rewritten around the documents the Ministry has actually published.

The Freight and Supply Chain Strategy

The Ministry's strategy page says the strategy was released in August 2023 and sets out a vision of a freight and supply chain system that is underpinned by zero emissions transport, resilient and prepared for disruption, and highly productive and efficient. It works across a 30-year horizon of enduring principles, a 10-year horizon of strategic goals and a three-year horizon of initial priorities. The page says implementation is now the focus, with a series of actions underway, and that a second action plan was intended for 2024.

The Ministry's strategy overview notes that road freight produces almost a quarter of transport emissions, and lists accelerating the transition to zero emissions heavy vehicles as a near-term focus. It also includes identifying and investing in freight data needs, and protecting and optimising key freight routes.

For operators, the strategy is a statement of direction rather than a set of rules. Its practical relevance is in the investment, procurement and regulatory decisions that follow from it.

GPS 2024: where the road money goes

The GPS 2024 at a glance summary sets an overarching strategic priority of economic growth and productivity, supported by increased maintenance and resilience, safety, and value for money. It describes a 10-year outlook with funding tables from 2024/25 to 2033/34, and says the GPS is reviewed every three years.

Several points in the summary bear directly on heavy vehicle operators:

• Pothole prevention on state highways and local roads is funded separately from other maintenance, with the aim of fewer potholes and more of the network resealed and rehabilitated each year.
• Resilience is a stated priority, with an expected outcome of a more resilient road and rail network.
• "More efficient supply chains for freight" is listed as an expected outcome.
• On funding, the summary says fuel excise duty increases resume from January 2027, with an equivalent increase in Road User Charges, and sets out two $25 increases to motor vehicle registration charges, in January 2025 and January 2026.

What this means in practice

Running costs

The planned Road User Charges increase from January 2027 is the most concrete change for most operators. Our guide to Road User Charges covers who pays, what the law requires and the separate change bringing heavy electric vehicles into RUC from 1 July 2027. It is worth reviewing customer contracts and freight rates with both dates in mind.

Roadworks

More maintenance and resealing means more work sites on the network. Operating through temporary traffic management raises its own risks, from lane shifts and reduced speeds to loose chip and soft edges. It is a good time to remind drivers about working-zone procedures and to check how your motor and liability covers respond to incidents in roadworks zones.

Resilience and disruption

Resilience investment is aimed at reducing the frequency and length of closures after severe weather, but route disruptions will still happen. If your business depends on a small number of routes or customers, check whether your programme includes any cover for loss of income from causes other than damage to your own vehicles, and on what terms. Our explainer on downtime and loss of use covers the vehicle-damage side.

Regulatory reform

Alongside these documents, rule changes are already affecting how heavy vehicles are permitted and operated. Our article on heavy vehicle productivity reform covers the 2026 changes and their insurance implications.

Zero emissions vehicles

If you are considering battery electric or other zero emissions trucks, tell your broker early. New technology can affect how a vehicle is valued, repaired and insured, and the RUC position for heavy electric vehicles changes on 1 July 2027.

Keeping track

Both documents are reviewed and updated over time, and the GPS is replaced on a three-year cycle. The Ministry of Transport's website is the authoritative source for the current versions.

If you would like a specialist to review how your programme reflects your current routes, fleet and cost base, you can Get a Quote and we will pass your enquiry to a Registered Financial Service Provider with heavy vehicle experience.