NB is a specialist transport planning consultancy.

We’re trusted by clients across Aotearoa New Zealand to navigate complex political, funding and stakeholder environments to deliver successful, future‑focused transport solutions.

How we can help.

Business Case Development.

We work with you and your stakeholders to develop fit-for-purpose proposals for investment that deliver the right solutions and outcomes. Our services extend from client side services - directing, managing and working with third parties on your behalf - through to being the lead investment/ business case supplier.

Strategy Development / Strategic Advice.

Our industry knowledge and breadth of experience across the transport system means we are often asked to act as trusted advisors. Whether it’s a one‑off think‑piece, a programme review or something in between, we provide strategic insight and client support to help you get results.

Peer Review.

With a combined 50 years of transport planning and investment experience, we know what good looks like. We provide reliable, robust and timely peer review and governance advice on a wide range of transport proposals, strengthening investment assurance for our clients.

Transport Planning.

We provide transport planning leadership, training and mentoring, advice, and hands-on client side services to keep projects moving when internal time or resources are limited.

Project Scoping.

We understand the value of putting the effort in up front to get things right. Ensuring project scopes are well-defined and right sized before going to market saves money, effort and time.

PROJECTS

Cutting through complexity to deliver smarter transport solutions.

Projects.

  • Tauriko West RoNS

    Tauriko West RoNS

    Supporting NZTA to deliver quickly

    NB Consulting helped prepare an investment case for the Tauriko West RoNS Project that will support growth, housing, and connectivity in the Western Bay of Plenty.

  • Hamilton Southern Links RoNS Project

    Hamilton Southern Links RoNS Project

    Transport planning leadership and compelling investment storytelling

    NB Consulting led the system design and investment storytelling for the Hamilton Southern Links RoNS project, to prepare the investment case.

  • Coromandel- Hauraki Resilience Strategic Response – NZTA

    Coromandel- Hauraki Resilience Strategic Response – NZTA

    Improving resilient access for people, freight, and whānau

    NB Consulting led the development of the Coromandel–Hauraki Resilience Strategic Response, helping Waka Kotahi shape a future-focused investment case to strengthen transport access, safety, and recovery across one of New Zealand’s most hazard-prone regions.

  • Matatā wastewater system, Whakatāne District Council

    Matatā wastewater system, Whakatāne District Council

    Waste water investment case for a healthier Matatā, and growing Whakatāne District

    NB Consulting worked with Council to develop the Matatā Wastewater investment case by coordinating technical inputs and crafting a clear, culturally grounded investment story that demonstrated the urgent need for change and the long-term benefits for the community.

  • Safety Cameras, NZTA

    Safety Cameras, NZTA

    Safety Camera investment to improve road safety

    NB Consulting supported NZTA in developing the 2024–27 Safety Camera Investment Programme. Our independent advice helped shape a robust, evidence-based case for expanding New Zealand’s safety camera network, giving decision-makers confidence that the investment will improve road safety and help reduce death and serious injury.

  • EV bus growth business case, Metlink

    EV bus growth business case, Metlink

    Accelerating the transition to electric buses

    NB Consulting supported the development of an EV Bus Growth Business Case, helping to shape a clear pathway for transitioning public transport to cleaner, more sustainable fleets while ensuring affordability and service reliability.

  • Tolling Advice, NZTA

    Tolling Advice, NZTA

    Strategic tolling advice for NZTA

    NB Consulting has been a trusted tolling advisor to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, providing expert assessments for new toll roads and shaping the national tolling strategy and policy to reflect evolving government positions on user-pays transport funding.

  • Western Bay of Plenty Urban form and Transport Initiative (UFTI), SmartGrowth

    Western Bay of Plenty Urban form and Transport Initiative (UFTI), SmartGrowth

    Shaping the future of growth and transport in Western Bay of Plenty

    NB Consulting working in collaboration with partner consultants to shape a 30-year integrated transport and land use plan that supports growth, resilience, and liveability.

  • Business case training, NZTA

    Business case training, NZTA

    Building capability in Business Case development

    NB Consulting designed and delivered a specific business case training course for NZTA, equipping over 55 transport planning and investment advisors with practical skills to apply business case principles in real-world projects.

  • End of life bridges, NZTA

    End of life bridges, NZTA

    Support for the National Bridge Replacement Programme

    NB Consulting supported NZTA in developing business cases for the National Bridge Replacement Programme, helping to prioritise and progress end-of-life bridge renewals while building internal capability to deliver future cases in-house.

  • Otira Tunnel Single Stage Business Case, KiwiRail

    Otira Tunnel Single Stage Business Case, KiwiRail

    Independent peer review for KiwiRail

    NB Consulting provided independent peer review of KiwiRail’s Otira Tunnel business case, giving decision-makers confidence that the proposal is robust, evidence-based, and aligned with best practice. Our insights helped strengthen the case for safer, more resilient and cost-effective rail operations.

  • Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport SSBC

    Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport SSBC

    Independent peer review of the Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport SSBC

    NB Consulting carried out an independent peer review of the Western Bay of Plenty Public Transport Infrastructure and Services Single Stage Business Case, ensuring it was robust, investment-ready, and aligned with NZTA requirements.

  • Hawke’s Bay PT SSBC, Hawkes Bay Regional Council

    Hawke’s Bay PT SSBC, Hawkes Bay Regional Council

    Peer review of Hawke’s Bay Public Transport SSBC

    NB Consulting carried out an independent peer review of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Public Transport Network Single Stage Business Case, ensuring it was robust, fit for purpose, and aligned with NZTA investment requirements.

  • Matakoina SSBC Peer Review, Masterton District Council

    Matakoina SSBC Peer Review, Masterton District Council

    Independent peer review of Mataikona Road SSBC

    NB Consulting peer reviewed the Mataikona Road Single Stage Business Case, providing independent assurance and recommending refinements to strengthen the investment case and ensure a more defensible pathway forward.

  • Manawatu Regional Freight Ring Route business case, Palmerston North City Council

    Manawatu Regional Freight Ring Route business case, Palmerston North City Council

    Scoping the Manawatu Regional Freight Ring Route Indicative Business Case

    NB Consulting developed a scope for Palmerston North City Council to support the development of the Manawatu Regional Freight Ring Road Indicative Business Case.

PROJECTS

About us.

Founded in 2018 by Directors Neil Cree and Ben Peacey, NB was created to deliver better strategic, planning and investment advice for New Zealand’s transport sector.

NB - Nota bene - means “pay special attention” – a reminder that our work is designed to stand out for the right reasons.

Who we are.

Neil Cree – Director

Neil leads complex transport strategy and infrastructure projects across New Zealand — often at the intersection of politics, planning, and public outcomes.

With more than 30 years' experience, and a sharp eye for structure and strategy, Neil specialises in cutting through complexity to create practical solutions that work — from national frameworks to local delivery models. He brings deep expertise in investment processes, operating models, and future-focused planning.

Neil’s work is trusted by government agencies, local authorities, and infrastructure partners who value his clarity, consistency, and a strategic mind that gets results.

Ben Peacey – Director

Ben brings sharp insights and strategic thinking to the big transport questions — from how cities grow to how investment decisions shape everyday travel.

With a background in public sector leadership, Ben has over 20 years' experience in transport planning, urban development, and funding strategy. He’s worked on some of New Zealand's most significant projects, known for balancing ambition with pragmatism and helping clients navigate the political, technical, and community dimensions of complex programmes.

Whether it’s setting long-term vision or stress-testing a business case, Ben makes the path forward clearer.

Contact.

If you have a project or transport investment you need help progressing, get in touch and we’ll be in contact.