Roading is a big part of keeping the Waikato moving – economically and socially. It’s a major part of local council spending annually and the regional council plays a key role in transport policy development.

So roading has been a significant workstream for the Waikato Mayoral Forum.

In 2014 nine councils committed to a two year project with the Road Asset Technical Accord (RATA).

RATA became the centre of excellence for road asset planning in the Waikato region, looking to generate big savings through co-operation. The project progressed successfully over the two-year period with both tangible financial benefits (more than $480,000) and significant non-financial benefits in supporting better decision making around renewal investments.

Such was the level of success that the mayoral forum determined that the project should evolve into a regional business unit managed by the jointly owned Waikato Local Authority Shared Services Ltd (Waikato LASS).  This transition occurred on 1 July 2016 with Waipa District Council providing the business unit arrangements for RATA.

RATA now reports through to Waikato LASS.  This transition is a sign of the success of the forum identifying the opportunity to collaborate, and supporting RATA’s work effectively for the two year period.  The forum will now continue to support RATA through membership appointments to the RATA mayoral reference group.