Justin’s Transport Minute – When the roading dollar is stretched this far – what we spend on matters more than ever
Last week Act announced its transport policy – and it is good, sensible policy worth cheering about.
Justin’s Transport Minute – The pause on fuel tax and the bill that doesn’t pause with it
The Government has cancelled the January 2027 fuel excise increase and slowed the path back. The Crown top-up matters, and we will hold them to it. But the road maintenance bill does not wait, and the correction, when it comes, must be staggered.
Justin’s Transport Minute – Competing for the Drivers We Need
This month a new automotive trades and technician immigration pathway is being added to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Justin’s Transport Minute – “No more four-lane roads?” Show us the evidence
Last Thursday, Engineering New Zealand and Stuff did voters a real service by hosting New Zealand’s Big Infrastructure Debate. Cross-party spokespeople, one room, the choices laid out. Infrastructure underpins our standard of living, and voters deserve to hear those choices argued properly.
Justin’s Transport Minute – Flying Blind: Why NZ’s Freight Data Gap Is Costing Us
New Zealand’s freight and supply chain productivity is languishing, partly from piecemeal investment in infrastructure, warehousing and critical nodes like our ports, each assessed on its own merits, with little regard for what it delivers to the wider system.
Justin’s Transport Minute – Why We Don’t Need to Reinvent a Freight Strategy
This week: how Australia already solved the strategy problem we are still wheel spinning about.
Justin’s Transport Minute – A Room Where the Whole Supply Chain Finally Talked
I’ve sat in a lot of transport conferences. Few have felt like something actually shifted in the room. Aka Raupapa, the inaugural Freight & Supply Chain Superhui, held at the University of Waikato this week and hosted by Tainui Group Holdings, was one of them.
Justin’s Transport Minute – Who is going to drive New Zealand’s trucks in ten years’ time?
At Aka Raupapa, the inaugural Freight & Supply Chain Superhui in Hamilton this month, I set out the demographic challenges our industry is facing. The answer should worry us – and it should also focus us.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 15/05/26
This week I had the privilege of attending a Women in Supply Chain (WISC) breakfast networking event, to join a panel discussion with National Road Carrier member WM’s Ingrid Cronin Knight.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 08/05/26
Here’s a deal that makes sense. While many governments around the world are talking in circles about supply chains and energy security, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has used his business skills to stitch together a refreshingly practical “food for fuel” arrangement with Singapore.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 23/04/26
As I write this Taranaki’s main northbound route, State Highway 3, remains closed, with major slip damage closing the Awakino Gorge between Mokau and Piopio. Digging through the extensive slips is going to take time, exactly how long remains unclear as this goes to press, but the latest estimate is Saturday 2nd May at the earliest .
Justin’s Transport Minute – 17/04/26
On Wednesday MBIE reported diesel stocks were confirmed as 45.4 days cover, down from the 49.1 cover reported earlier in the week. MBIE noted the departure of “one small ship” has been delayed. Fuel companies confirmed the supply chains continue to operate, but noted that these kinds of delays are likely to become more common.
Before you consider not paying RUC, understand the full impact
Recently there has been posts on social media and comments in the media calling for people to stop paying RUC.
NRC does not support this and for very good reasons members should refrain from taking this step as a way to lower cost.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 10/04/26
As I write this a fragile two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran is tentatively holding. One of the terms of that agreement is that Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz, which if held may see some fuel shipping out of the Persian Gulf, if shipping companies have confidence their vessels will be able to navigate a safe passage.
We watch and wait.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 02/04/26
National Road Carriers this week has attended multiple daily meetings with government, continuing to play our part supporting the road freight industry through the oil price shock.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 27/03/26
Another week has passed and there have been fast moving developments for freight and supply chain operators.
Firstly what hasn’t changed.
New Zealand still has a healthy supply of diesel stocks, with 46.4 days of diesel stock in country and two weeks or less away on water.
Port CEOs Group appoints new Executive Director
The Port CEOs Group has appointed Ian Bonnar as its Executive Director, supporting the Group’s role as a coordinated and constructive industry voice on national policy, regulatory and infrastructure matters.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 20/03/26
National Road Carriers continues to work closely with the Government, providing industry expertise and advice to support planning New Zealand’s response to emerging fuel and supply chain impacts from the Iran conflict.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 13/03/26
This week the Iran conflict has made its presence felt on our shores, significantly impacting road freight and the broader supply chain in our country, and coming at a particularly difficult time for transport operators,
Justin’s Transport Minute – 06/03/26
This week I was delighted to be invited to attend the NZTA “Super Hui” in Wellington, to talk about road freight and the supply chain.
The Super Hui is a big deal, where all of the senior managers and executive team gather to align the direction of what is one of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure investors and regulators. My slot followed the Minister of Transport Chris Bishop, and the Chairman Simon Bridges.