Police want to change their funding arrangements for policing the roads - a shift that would remove New Zealand Transport Agency oversight, official papers show.
In addition to Crown revenue for general policing, police at present receive about $300 million a year from the Transport Agency's National Land Transport Fund.
Documents released under the Official Information Act to Radio New Zealand show that police want to explore the possibility of receiving one source of funding, which would avoid duplicating accountability processes.
In October last year, the issue was discussed between the Police Commissioner, National Road Policing Manager and the Transport Agency chief executive.
It was acknowledged it was a major policy issue and police were keen to take it up with the Government.
However, such a change would remove Transport Agency oversight from road policing - which it does not support.
A spokesperson for the Automobile Association, Mike Noon, also believes there is no need for change.
"These are particular services that are being contracted for road safety from the police and are being monitored through a performance agreement by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
"We think that that model has served us well."
