Photo: Facebook/Northland Potholes
The AA is calling for increased spending on road maintenance as roads carry more traffic and complaints about damage caused by potholes reach an all time high.
Waka Kotahi received 555 complaints in the first ten months of last year (up by more than 100 compared to 2021).
Five of the most recent Automobile Association annual surveys rated the quality of road surfaces and potholes as a leading concern.
Members are telling the AA the roads are "in the worst state they've ever been".
The amount of kilometres driven in New Zealand has increased by almost a fifth (18%) since 2010.
The AA says there's been a surge in pothole related memes and social media groups relating to road damage and claims for compensation are also on the rise.
The AA advised the government ahead of the last election $900 million extra in road maintenance was needed over the next three years, to catch up on a backlog of maintenance work. $500m has been allocated.
Kathryn Ryan speaks with AA spokesperson Dylan Thomsen and Road Transport Forum New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett.
