Justin’s Transport Minute – 31/10/25
Since 2024 NRC along with other transport industry associations have been working to get some rule changes made for commercial and heavy transport. It’s been thirty years since the Land Transport Act has been refreshed in any meaningful way, and the industry is moving fast with frequent technology and transport innovations. Keeping rules and regulations fit for purpose is critical for keeping the road freight supply chain effective and efficient.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 23/10/25
As I write this, a spring storm is hammering the South Island and lower North Island. Parts of the West Coast are cut off by flooding. Winds of up to 150 km/h have hit Canterbury, where a local state of emergency has been declared. Several trucks have been blown onto their sides.
The Ripple Effect: How undercutting freight rates affects the broader economy
In New Zealand’s competitive freight industry, some operators resort to undercutting rates to attract business. While this strategy can offer short-term gains, it often leads to a cascade of unintended consequences that impact not only the freight sector but also the wider economy.
SH1 Brynderwyn Hills closure – plan ahead
State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills will undergo major resurfacing next month, requiring full closures over two consecutive ‘super weekends’. These works are the final stage of the SH1 Brynderwyn Hills recovery project, improving journey reliability and safety ahead of the busy summer season.
Update on NZTA Review of Cardan Shaft Park Brakes
NZTA’s recently completed review into the effectiveness of regulatory action on Cardan Shaft Park Brakes (CSPB), which are installed in nearly half the heavy vehicle fleet
New Zealand secures major shipbuilder for new ferries
The Government, through its procuring company Ferry Holdings Limited has secured Guangzhou Shipyard International as the builder of two new ferries, Rail Minister Winston Peters confirmed this week.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 17/10/25
Two incidents last week, one in the North Island, one in the South, highlighted how fragile New Zealand’s freight network remains, and the real people and business costs borne by operators every time a highway shuts down.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 10/10/25
This week Transport Talk ran an article citing the most recent Centrix Credit Indicator report, which revealed liquidations in the transport sector were up 52% over the previous 12 months, higher than even construction (38% up) and hospitality (49% up).
Hydrogen powered trucks a focus for Toyota Sustainability Report
The role of hydrogen in the New Zealand transport and freight fleet was a focus as Toyota New Zealand launched its 2025 Sustainability Report on Tuesday evening to a room full of fleet owners and business partners.
Environment Court grants consents for Northport expansion plan
The Environment Court has granted consents for Northport’s plans for expansion at Marsden Point, bringing to a conclusion more than a decade of design, consultation and negotiation.
Smarter Freight Starts Here: NRC Backs Major Government Move
You may have missed it, but this week the government announced the biggest change in freight and supply chain policy in decades.
At first glance it may have looked like just another bland policy announcement about plans from the government.
But it is far more than that.
Overseas investors could provide an option for transport succession planning
From November 2025, overseas investors will be able to apply for residence by actively operating existing Kiwi businesses. There are two investment options:
Sign up for NZTA weekly regional roadworks newsletter
NZTA has started weekly regional newsletters about roadworks on the state highway network to help you plan your travel.
NZTA interactive map shows state highway roadworks
This interactive map shows state highways NZTA is rebuilding or resealing over this summer and the next two years:
Justin’s Transport Minute – 26/9/25
From Romans to Roading Contractors: What It Takes to Build Roads That Last Building durable roads is something that we’ve been doing at least since Roman times, and possibly stretching back […]
Justin’s Transport Minute – 19/9/25
This week I had the pleasure of attending the 29th Annual CBAFF Conference. Each year this is a must-attend event for me, bringing together key businesses from across the freight and supply chain sector including many NRC members. Shipping lines, ports, port transport operators, freight forwarders and customs brokers made up the majority of the room, along with sponsors and industry suppliers.
The beauty of this event is hearing first hand from people working up and down our export and import supply chain. It broadens perspective and understanding of the complexity of keeping this critical economic enabler running.
Regulatory reform update
This week NRC joined representatives from the associations representing the various sectors that make up the transport industry for a progress update on the regulatory reform being undertaken by NZTA and MoT.
Justin’s Transport Minute – 5/9/25
This week I had the pleasure of attending the 29th Annual CBAFF Conference. Each year this is a must-attend event for me, bringing together key businesses from across the freight and supply chain sector including many NRC members. Shipping lines, ports, port transport operators, freight forwarders and customs brokers made up the majority of the room, along with sponsors and industry suppliers.
The beauty of this event is hearing first hand from people working up and down our export and import supply chain. It broadens perspective and understanding of the complexity of keeping this critical economic enabler running.
Fixing the Funding Pipe – The Case for a Complete Transition to RUC
New Zealand’s road network is the lifeblood of our economy. Every day, freight operators, commuters, and communities rely on our roads to move goods, connect towns, and keep the country moving. Yet, as vehicle technology evolves and the ways we pay for road use shift, we are facing a growing challenge: ensuring there are sufficient, reliable funds to maintain and expand the road network we all depend on.
Foodstuffs North Island trials new camera technology for fleet safety
Foodstuffs North Island is trialling AutoSense Vision Focus technology in selected vehicles—adding real-time incident review and driver exoneration to its in-cab safety toolkit.