Waka Kotahi received more than 110 applications for the initial round of funding. 

24 applications were approved to receive a total of $4.2 million in the first funding round, which asked applicants to respond to three key challenges:

  • accelerating the use of recycled materials and sustainable practices
  • integrating low emission first and last-mile travel solutions
  • providing under-served communities with greater access to transport options.

The final reports for each project will be uploaded here as they become available.

Challenge 1: Accelerating the use of recycled materials and sustainable practice

Applicant   Funding Innovation summary 
WSP New Zealand Ltd   $145,000 

Trial of the feasibility of using lignin as a partial or 100% replacement for bitumen in New Zealand and to identify potential barriers to the implementation of such technology. 

View the executive summary of this project

WSP New Zealand Ltd   $141,000

Development of a sustainable recycling process for chipseal surfacing in which the bitumen and aggregate are separated and can be re-used in road surfacing.

View the executive summary of this project

UsedFULLY Ltd   $182,238

Trials to determine the feasibility of using recycled textile fibres in different types of asphalt, to understand why the application of polycotton fibre into chipseal has yielded such promising results, and to optimise the processing parameters to produce a reliable product at scale. 

View the full report of this project

The University of Auckland   $88,435

Trial of several concrete mixes using various locally sourced waste materials and natural volcanic materials (pozzolana) to reduce the use of virgin aggregates and cement. 

View the full report of this project

Neocrete Ltd   $240,000 Design of ‘High Performing, Low-carbon Concrete’ mixes to meet specifications, followed by two rounds of laboratory tests and scaled trials.  
Higgins Contractors Ltd  $88,400

‘Blue-sky’ research to perform a laboratory study that evaluates candidate materials from non-petroleum sources for use as a bitumen replacement. 

View the full report of this project

Auckland University of Technology  $80,420

Utilisation of local glass waste in an environmentally friendly, sustainable method for stabilisation of soft volcanic soil (eg pumiceous soils) in road construction. 

View the full report of this project

Challenge 2: Integrating low emission first and last mile travel solutions

Applicant Funding Innovation summary
The University of Auckland $508,051.73 Pilot of a small micromobility hub at Glen Eden Station.
Reureu Kotahitanga Ltd $250,000 Digital twining of an existing railway track combined with real time data from crossing sensors to build a 3D virtual model of an autonomous commuter service.
Jacobs New Zealand Ltd $299,800

A “Concept of Operations” for a mobility hub trial via a planning and investigation study.

View the full report of this project

Mahu City Express $41,000

Trial of the provision of e-scooters for rental by coach passengers and the conversion of existing zero-emissions commuting coaches to include e-scooter charging capability as a first and last mile zero-emissions solution.

View the full report of this project

Ohmio Automotion Ltd $151,111 Develop of performance-based requirements for testing and trialling an autonomous on-demand first-last mile solution in New Zealand to inform regulators and ready infrastructure and systems required.
Somar Digital $155,700

Development of a prototype of a logic-based system that presents users with information about their travel choices in regard to the costs of private vehicle vs public transport use.

View the executive summary of this project

Abley Ltd $183,375 Test and trial of an MVP of OurCommute, an employee focused, commuter management tool that incorporates behaviour change elements through incentives and rewards.
Shutl $297,000

Test and trial of Shutl’s e-bike subscription service in Christchurch, allowing commuters to have an e-bike to call their own for or a simple weekly fee.

View the full report of this project

Challenge 3: Providing under-served communities with greater access to transport

Applicant Funding Innovation summary
Big Street Bikers $98,384

Development of a low-cost e-bike subscription service model for underserved communities. 

View the executive summary of this project

Mackie Research and Consulting $60,000

Development and testing of an incentive scheme to achieve permanent e-bike use in South Auckland.

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Eastern Bay Accessible Transport Charitable Trust $100,000 Trial of a community-led accessible transport scheme aimed at seniors and people with disabilities within the Whakatāne district.
MADE Group Ltd $368,000 Development of an activation program and campaign for change, to enable a new urban community to develop sustainable travel patterns from establishment, so that an entire community can demonstrate reduced reliance on private vehicle. 
Liftango $164,000 Development of an ‘on demand’ transport service to be designed and trialled with iwi.
The Wednesday Challenge $126,200

Pilot of a 16-week engagement in Tairāwhiti of The Wednesday Challenge (TWC), a challenge for school children to use any mode other than a single occupancy car on Wednesdays.

View the full report of this project

Bike Auckland $27,258

Showcase of inclusive cycling options, enabling disabled people to try a cycle and identify current issues with accessibility to bike path networks. 

View the full report of this project

Rebicycle Charitable Trust $105,247 Trial removing barriers to low carbon transport options such as e-bikes or e-bike conversions to people from underserved communities through a ‘ride to own’ scheme.