Infrastructure NZ's welcoming the renewal of National's Roads of National Significance programme. 

The Government's draft transport plan features a half-a-billion dollar pothole prevention fund and 15 new major roads.  

It'll be funded in part by a $25 dollar increase to vehicle registration fees in each of the next two years. 

CEO Nick Leggett told Kerre Woodham that the previous Government initiated just one new road in six years, so we were left with nothing in the pipeline.  

He says we need these roads; they've connected people for millennia and will continue to. 

Leggett says even as we de-carbonise, we are still going to need them, and they need to be of a higher quality. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

• Govt's draft transport plan a "strong start"
• Transport Minister's expectations are "very clear" surrounding infrastructure funding
• The Huddle: Will improved roads be worth the inevitable extra cost hikes?
• Barry Soper: We'll probably see more ownership schemes and road tolls