Public consultation has found a place not only in transport planning for capital projects, but also in policy processes such as formulating transport legislation, regulations and safety programs. Aboriginal people such as the Maori in New Zealand and First Nations in Canada are clearly distinguished from the general public in terms of consultation requirements, often by law. The question arises whether transport agencies can fine tune their consultation methods to account for cultural diversity. The answer is as complex as cultures are diverse. In New Zealand, a country known for its pioneering transport reforms; Land Transport, Civil Aviation and Maritime Safety Authorities are using new processes to replace technical safety and licensing regulations. New, plain English Rules are developed through an extensive three stage consultation with Maori, industry and the public. Final Rules are signed into law by the Minister of Transport, although they can be reviewed by Parliament at any time after that. To date, there has been no call for review. This paper briefly outlines the Land Transport Rule Making Process which has twelve Rules in progress, ranging from standards and use of seat belts and cycle helmets to a review of the nation's driver licensing system. A description of the consultation process uses a case study focusing on how cultural considerations for groups such as Maori, Pacific Islanders and young people are built into communications strategies. The rule making process is critically assessed through feedback from those consulted. The paper concludes with comments on how the Rules process can be applied in other countries in terms of standardizing consultation processes and fine-tuning our understanding of 'public' to include cultural considerations. (A)
Abstract