New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has released several updated standards and specifications over recent months.
The below list is not exhaustive, and if you would like CCNZ to address any issues or have feedback on any of the standards below, please email Technical@civilcontractors.co.nz.
Upcoming reviews
NZTA B02 - Specification for the Construction of Unbound Granular Pavement Layers
NZTA has commenced a process to review and update its suite of technical specifications related to the construction of granular pavements. First off the block is NZTA B02 and comments are invited on the attached draft prepared by the working group.
Recently updated
NZTA P03 Specification for First Coat Seals
This document was updated in June 2025. This specification sets out a client-prescribed method for the construction of a chip seal on a newly constructed granular basecourse pavement.
P03 specification for first coat seals is available here>>
The NZTA P04 Specification for Resealing
This was updated in June 2025. This specification for resealing sets out a client-prescribed method for the construction of a chip seal on a pavement that has an existing surfacing. It includes “second coat seals” and any subsequent chip seal layer.
The P04 Specification for reseals is available here>>
New P18 Specification for the Design of Chip Seals
A new p18 specification has been developed, taking the design methods described in Chipsealing in New Zealand and its predecessor, the Bituminous Sealing Manual and presents them in the form of a technical specification.
It’s available here>>
A new M13 specification for adhesion agents (version 2)
This M13 specification replaces the version issued in 1989, setting out the requirements for the testing and use of adhesion (anti-stripping) agents in cutback bitumen used for chip sealing.
The new M13 Specification for Adhesion Agents is available here>>
Z01 Minimum standards for quality management
The updated Z standards for maintenance and small projects are available here>>
Updated NZTA M03 specification for sub-base aggregates
M03 has now been published after development by a joint working group. This update to M03 provides for a range of material quality, or class, depending on pavement loadings. It also introduces a statistical process control approach for determining compliance with M03 particle size distribution requirements.
Read the new M03 here>>
The SM012 State highway control manual
The State Highway Control Manual was updated in May 2025. It sets out NZTA’s powers and policy with regard to state highways. The manual details procedures for protection, control, asset management and work execution.
Read the updated Manual>>
T-series specifications
NZTA has updated its NZTA T03 Procedure for the Determination of Road Surface texture. Version 2 sets out the means by which surface texture is quantified. It allows either the traditional “sand circle” procedure or modern vehicle-mounted instrumentation for texture measurement. This is available here>>
The NZTA T09 Procedure for the Estimation of the Kerosene Content of Cutback Bitumen has also been updated. It's available here>>
A new NZTA T31 Method of Measuring the Active Adhesion Between a Bituminous Binder and a Chip Seal Aggregate (the venerable Vialit plate adhesion test), has been produced. The new method is available here>>
If you have feedback on any of the above standards, please email Technical@civilcontractors.co.nz