Why are New Zealands highways called “state highways”?
Transit New Zealand uses the term “state highway” to differentiate between local roads which are built and maintained by local authorities and the national state highway network. “State” in the sense used here, is an older term used to mean “government”. The 11,000 kilometres of New Zealand’s state highway network make up 12 per cent of the country’s roads and carry half of the traffic. Transit New Zealand is responsible for planning and building projects as well maintaining the network.
