Since its inception the National Roads Board has endeavoured to develop a national system of rural highways to connect the county roads with those in urban areas. This policy has now reached the stage where the main difficulties lie within the cities' boundaries. Until recently, the Board had undertaken little or no work within the cities. When, however, the constitution of the National Roads' Board was amended to include municipal representatives, the Board assumed the responsibility for providing better routes through the municipalities. These roads have always had to accommodate the heaviest vehicles, because many cities are also seaports. Nevertheless, as public transportation now requires large buses with heavy axle loads, many routes have had to be upgraded. Meanwhile, the internal roading system in New Zealand has been improved to such an extent that hindrances to the free movement of traffic are becoming more pronounced only as such highways reach the city boundaries. The solution of the problems, particularly at intersections, is both complex and costly. Some of the work is being done by the cities and some by the National Roads Board, which acknowledges that “through” routes are part of the system. The Auckland Metropolitan Planning Authority has investigated the problem of traffic flow within its limits; in other cities the problem has been so complex and time consuming that overseas consultants have been engaged. Wellington city, for instance, has recently received a master plan for future development from such a firm.