ACC has released its annual ‘Injuries in New Zealand’ report, providing insights into how New Zealanders are getting injured and the impact those injuries have on people, workplaces and communities.

Each year, ACC accepts more than two million injury claims. Behind every one of those claims is a person whose life has been disrupted – often affecting their ability to work, support their whānau and stay connected to everyday life.

Injuries continue to have a significant impact on businesses, workers and the wider economy. Last year injuries resulted in more than 20 million days away from work, with 4.7 million of these lost workdays due to work-related injuries. This has contributed to an estimated $8.7 billion in lost productivity highlighting the importance of preventing injuries and supporting people to recover and return to work sooner

The ‘Injuries in New Zealand’ report brings together insights and trends from across work, home, sport and recreation, and road injuries. It has been designed to help build a better understanding of where harm is occurring, the factors contributing to injury, and where there may be opportunities to make a difference.

By sharing these insights, ACC aims to support conversations about injury prevention, recovery, and the role we all play in helping people stay connected to the things that matter most.

ACC is using the report as a starting point for conversations with employers about how we can work together to reduce the impact of injury and support better recovery outcomes for injured workers.

Enviro NZ currently manage the transport of approximately 600,000 tonnes of bulk waste annually across the North Island. We are seeking interest from suppliers to participate in a Request for Information (RFI) process to gather information to inform our understanding of the bulk haulage market, identify potential service delivery approaches, and assess opportunities to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and performance of our bulk haulage operations. The outcomes of this process will ultimately support the development of our future procurement strategy and service model.

We are interested in engaging with suppliers who can demonstrate appropriate scale and capability, an outstanding service commitment and a strong health and safety culture.

This is an opportunity to build a long-term relationship with a nationally significant operator, contributing to essential services that support communities and businesses across Aotearoa. This RFI offers suppliers a compelling opportunity to secure stable, predictable volumes, delivering consistent work with low business risk. Opportunities of this scale rarely come to the market, especially with established Tier 1 organisations representing a unique long-term opportunity for suppliers to secure a cornerstone contract.

We are exploring a range of delivery options within our scope; this may create opportunities for suppliers of varying scale over time.

Participating in the RFI will provide an opportunity for suppliers to be considered for inclusion in any future procurement process.

Next Steps:

If you are interested in participating in our RFI process, please register your interest (including your contact details) via e-mail to:

Email address:                                    tenders@resolvegroup.co.nz  

Key Dates:

Registration Deadline:                        2:00pm Thursday 18 June 2026

Anticipated RFI Issue Date:                Friday 19 June 2026

For many transport operators, decarbonisation has moved from a future ambition to a present-day business priority. From customer expectations and sustainability targets through to compliance requirements and long-term operating efficiency, the pressure is growing on fleet owners to understand what the transition to lower- and zero-emission transport looks like in practice.
The challenge, however, is that for heavy commercial fleets, the pathway is rarely straightforward.

Unlike passenger vehicles, transitioning trucks and trailers to lower-emission solutions requires a deep understanding of route profiles, payload requirements, depot infrastructure, charging and refuelling capability, vehicle technology, lifecycle costs and long-term operational support.
Recognising this, TR Group has formally launched its End-to-End Fleet Decarbonisation Capability Statement, bringing together the company’s practical experience, engineering expertise and operational support capability into one structured market offering.

The launch formalises what TR Group has already been delivering in-market for some time — helping customers navigate the transition into battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen dual-fuel and hybrid heavy vehicle solutions.

Rather than focusing solely on the vehicle itself, TR’s approach covers the full transition journey.
This includes fleet discovery and emissions baseline analysis, route and duty-cycle assessment, infrastructure and energy review, vehicle selection, deployment support, driver familiarisation and training, and ongoing maintenance and performance reporting. As outlined in the newly released capability statement, the programme provides a clear six-stage pathway that allows operators to start small, scale over time, and transition in line with replacement cycles and technology readiness.

At the centre of this capability is TR Group’s in-house expertise.
Scott Donnelly and Grant Doull are leading TR’s decarbonisation efforts, bringing a rare combination of heavy vehicle knowledge, emerging technological expertise and real-world operational understanding.

Their strength lies not only in understanding the technologies themselves, but in helping operators determine where each solution is commercially and operationally viable.

This practical lens is critical in a market where no single technology fits every application.
As Scott Donnelly explains: 

“Decarbonising heavy commercial fleets is not about forcing one technology across every operation. It starts with understanding the task, the route, the payload and the customer’s long-term objectives. Our role is to help customers identify what is achievable today, what should be staged for the future, and then support them right through implementation and ongoing performance.”

Urban metro distribution may lend itself well to battery electric solutions, while linehaul and specialised applications may be better suited to hydrogen fuel cell or dual-fuel pathways as infrastructure and technology continue to evolve.

TR Group’s capability is built on proven experience rather than theory.
The business has already been at the forefront of deploying zero- and low-emission heavy vehicles across New Zealand, supported by its wider sustainability programme and the expertise of its nationwide team.

What differentiates TR’s offering is its ability to protect operators against many of the risks through Fully Maintained Operating Leases (FMOL) and act as a partner across vehicle choice, charging infrastructure, maintenance and ongoing fleet support.
For operators, this removes complexity, reduces risk and provides confidence that the transition is being managed by a team that understands heavy commercial vehicles first and foremost.

With the launch of this capability statement, TR Group is signalling clearly to the market that it has both the expertise and the practical experience to help businesses across New Zealand and Australia transition with confidence.

State Highway 3 extended closure cuts off Taranaki again highlighting importance of resilience investment

The extended closure of State Highway 3 (SH3) cutting off Taranaki again highlights the importance of resilience investment says National Road Carriers Association (NRC).

Severe weather on Saturday along the SH3 Awakino Gorge road has caused multiple massive slips between Mokau and Piopio with mud still pouring down through the trees.

NRC Commercial Transport Specialist Paula Rogers said NZTA’s contractor Downer is working long hours to clear the road and plans to continue working over Anzac weekend. Engineers are doing geotechnical assessments but it may be another week or more before a lane is opened on the road which is the main freight route into Taranaki.

Rogers said SH3 has been closed seven times in the last 12 months due to rockfalls, heavy rainfall causing flooding, slips and mudslides and a planned five-day full closure in January to replace a major culvert at Ahititi.

NRC GM Policy and Advocacy James Smith said this most recent unscheduled closure of SH3 and the disruption and expense it has caused highlights the importance of resilience investment to keep New Zealanders supplied with goods and to get our regional exports to ports.

“Every year we are having multiple road closures around the country. We know New Zealand has a challenging geography but we need to prioritise upgrades to our state highways and regional roading network to keep people fed, clothed and housed and keep the economy moving.”

Rogers said transport operators are reporting staff shortages as a result of detours caused by the SH3 closure and work time hours running out as drivers must take a 30-minute break after five and a half hours on the road and there is a maximum of 13 hours driving per work-day. The longer detours also consume more diesel that is at record high prices.

“Concern has been raised by many transport operators regarding the recent snowfall on the Desert Road. If another snowfall was to shut the Desert Road drivers would need to travel SH5 and SH2 adding an extra four or five hours or to travel SH32, SH41 and SH4 which is a challenging route for heavy vehicles. 

“Drivers not knowing these detour roads is an issue. When roads were closed in Northland there were more accidents as a result of drivers not being familiar with the alternative routes.

“Other potential issues include delays getting to ferry crossing bookings on these alternative routes and challenges delivering fuel to farmers and delivering rural community supplies.”

Rogers said all road users should check the NZTA Journey Planner prior to travel.

Ends

 For more information please contact:

Tim Marshall, Wright Communications, tim@wrightcommunications.co.nz, 021 902 850

National Road Carriers Association (NRC) is New Zealand’s progressive nationwide organisation representing supply chain companies. It represents 1500 members, who collectively operate 16,000 trucks throughout New Zealand. NRC supports its members with legal, financial, employment relations, health & safety, workplace relations, business and environmental advice. It advocates on behalf of members and works with Central and Local Government on road transport infrastructure and regulations.

James Smith, GM Policy and Advocacy, National Road Carriers.

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.

Road User Charges or RUC is a charge paid by all vehicles that exceed 3500kg in mass or that use a fuel that is not taxed at source.

Revenue collected from fuel excise duty (FED), road user charges (RUC), vehicle and driver registration and licensing, state highway property disposal and leasing and road tolling is credited to the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). The NLTF is used to fund National Land Transport Programme which is set every three years. Current NLTP was set in 2024 costing $32.9 billion from 2024-2027.  In addition to the dedicated revenue streams there are several Crown grants and loans needed to get to the $32.9 billion.

There is no link between RUC and the price of diesel. Any reduction in RUC would result in a reduction in the NLTP or an increase to the already high Crown loan that NZTA is paying off for the last RUC discount.

RUC discounts do nothing to support the many businesses that use diesel for non on road activity.

Members should contact one of the team if they need assistance with what can be done to minimise or mitigate the cost increases on their business. There are no generic answers and we urge all members to ensure the steps they take are evidence based and specific to their business.

Failure to pay RUC is treated seriously by the Crown and are considered to be debts due to the Crown with the RUC collector (NZTA) authorised to recover these amounts through the courts.

As a business the consequences in participating in any campaign to not pay RUC could be very dire indeed.

Fines for Specific RUC Offences

Failure to comply with RUC requirements can result in significant fines upon conviction:

• Failure to Produce Licence: Failing to produce a RUC licence immediately on demand by an enforcement officer carries a fine of up to $15,000 for a body corporate.
• Providing Incorrect Information: Providing information known to be incorrect in an application for a RUC licence can lead to a fine of up to $75,000 (body corporate).
• Record-Keeping Failures: Transport service licence holders who fail to make or retain required RUC records can be fined up to $100,000 (body corporate). Knowingly producing false RUC records carries a fine of up to 75,000 (body corporate).
• Distance Recorder Violations: Operating a vehicle with a tampered or inaccurate distance recorder carries a maximum fine of $75,000 (body corporate).

Infringement Fees

Regulations can prescribe infringement fees for RUC offences:

• For an offence against Section 10(2) (operating a heavy RUC vehicle where the distance recorder exceeds the licence maximum by more than 500 km), the fee may not exceed $3,000.
• For other RUC infringement offences, the fee may not exceed $2,000 for a body corporate

Late Payment Penalties

If road user charges for a licence remain unpaid, the Act imposes the following penalties:

• Initial Late Payment: If charges are unpaid three months after they were due, a penalty equal to 10% of the unpaid amount is added.
• Failure to Pay After Assessment: If the RUC collector issues an assessment for unpaid charges under Section 53:
  • An amount remaining unpaid two months after the assessment date incurs a 10% penalty.
  • An amount remaining unpaid three months after the assessment date incurs a further 10% penalty (on top of the previous 10% penalty)

So should you hear any member express any thought that they may decide not to pay RUC as a form of protest against higher fuel prices, please advise them against taking this course of action. Instead encourage them to contact one of the NRC team to discuss what steps can be taken.

It is VERY hard to defend an operator against RUC offence allegations as they are deemed guilty unless proved innocent. Anyone that has been through a RUC audit can attest that it is not an enjoyable experience.

NZTA can and will liquidate a company to recover RUC debt.

Whether you’re already involved in workplace training or curious about how it could benefit your business, the MITO Business Breakfasts are a great way to explore what’s possible. 

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.

The Port CEOs Group brings together the chief executives of New Zealand’s major ports as a forum for collaboration, policy engagement and strategic discussion on issues of national significance affecting the port system. The Group focuses on sector-wide perspective and constructive dialogue with Government and central agencies, while recognising the diversity of commercial environments across individual ports.

Ian brings extensive senior-level experience across leadership, public policy engagement and complex stakeholder environments, including executive leadership roles within major infrastructure providers, senior roles within Government and strategic consultancy.

Port CEOs Group Chair Graeme Sumner also thanked outgoing Executive Director Charles Finny for his service and contribution to the Group:

“Charles has played an important role in supporting coordination across the sector and in strengthening engagement with Government and policy agencies. The Group is grateful for his work and the experience he has brought to the role.”

The Chair said Ian’s appointment would support continuity of constructive and balanced sector representation:

“The Group exists to provide a clear, informed and nationally focused voice on issues affecting the port system. Ian brings strong relationship capability, a thoughtful and pragmatic approach, and significant experience working across complex public and stakeholder environments.”

Ian said he was looking forward to working with members and key partners:

“New Zealand’s ports play a critical role in the resilience, economic wellbeing and connectivity of the country. My focus will be on constructive, policy-level engagement, supporting thoughtful dialogue with Government and stakeholders, and helping ensure the sector’s perspective is well understood.”

Gareth Kiernan, Chief Forecaster, Infometrics. 

Cost pressures for the transport industry remained mixed in the December 2025 quarter, with decreasing costs for some inputs but continued pressure across other categories. These trends are reflective of the broader economy, where patchy demand conditions and spare capacity have led to sharper pricing for some goods and services, but there are other pockets of significant price rises that are keeping inflation relatively high and maintaining pressures on businesses and households.

For transport operators, the categories with persistent cost pressures include repairs and maintenance (up 4.5% in the December quarter and 11.6% over the last year) and other overheads (up 2.3% in the December quarter and 4.1% over the last year). These rises reflect higher costs for business inputs such as electricity and gas, insurance, and rates, as well as firms with a servicing arm looking to restore their margins as vehicle sales volumes remain under pressure.

Diesel prices also rose 2.3% over the December quarter to be higher than a year earlier for the first time since mid-2024. Increased sanctions on Russia in late 2025 had led to a shift in demand towards fuel from other suppliers, resulting in higher margins for international refiners. The lower New Zealand dollar was also contributing to higher domestic fuel prices. These effects appear to have dissipated recently, taking domestic diesel prices to a six-month low in February. However, disruptions to international oil supplies caused by the recent attacks on Iran are likely to push diesel prices above $2/L, with considerable upside risk if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for any extended period or if oil and gas production facilities in the Middle East are substantially damaged.

Interest rates continued to track lower as the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate (OCR) by 75 basis points, to 2.25%, in the December quarter. It is likely that the OCR is now at its low point for this cycle, with further small declines in financing costs for firms possible in the March 2026 quarter. Financial markets are now turning their attention to when interest rates will start to rise again. The first increase is forecast to take place between September and December this year, with the OCR reaching 3% by mid-2027 and possibly rising further by the end of next year.

Cost pressures for tyres remain subdued, down 1.0% in the December quarter and up just 0.6% over the last year. The weak labour market has also dragged labour cost inflation down to a 10-year low of just 1.4%pa. Although the unemployment rate is at a 10-year high of 5.4%, recent data shows an emerging upward trend in job ad numbers and the early stages of a pick-up in employment. As a result, labour cost inflation is unlikely to ease any further.

Members can access the Cost Index to see the impact of the latest quarter HERE.

The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), New Zealand’s largest workplace drug testing provider has launched its Q4 Imperans Report, a quarterly workplace drug trends report. The report empowers New Zealand employers to engage in proactive workplace risk management. It provides them with an analysis of drug and alcohol usage trends, combining results from across the country.

In Q4, 4.01% of screens conducted by TDDA indicated the presence of drugs (Q3: 3.75%).

Cannabis remains the most prevalent substance detected in workplace drug testing, although detections eased in many regions following a Q3 peak.

ATS detections were up nationwide in Q4, representing a modest quarter-on-quarter increase. Cocaine detections, while remaining comparatively low overall, jumped 148% from the previous quarter.

Among all positive TDDA results, the most prevalent substances detected were:

• Cannabis: present in 67.5% of positive tests, down 3.6% from 71.1% in Q3 2025.
• ATS, including methamphetamine: present in 24.5% of positive tests, up 1.2% from 23.2% in Q3 2025.
• Opioids, including oxycodone: present in 18.6% of positive tests, up 0.02% from 18.6% in Q3 2025.
• Benzodiazepines: present in 2.9% of positive tests, up 0.7% from 2.2% in Q3 2025.
• Cocaine: present in 3.7% of positive tests, up 2.2% from 1.5% in Q3 2025.

The data points to three broad shifts in substance use patterns nationwide. Increasing regional divergence in amphetamine-type substances (ATS), easing THC (Cannabis) detections after a Q3 peak, and a concerning rise in cocaine, significantly in Bay of Plenty, Auckland West and Waikato.

Full regional stats can be found here: https://tdda.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Imperans-Graphs-NZFINAL-19.02.26.pdf

 “We warned employers in previous quarters that cocaine use was increasing across the nation, and Q4 data shows that this trend nearly doubled over the festive season,” says Glenn Dobson, CEO of TDDA. “This increase was particularly evident in Bay of Plenty, Auckland West, and Waikato. Businesses in the Bay of Plenty area need to take action immediately, as cocaine detections, which barely registered previously, rose to 9% of positive tests. Cocaine causes overconfidence, reduces focus and concentration, correlates with bad judgement and causes erratic behaviour. If you’re doing business in an affected region, employee education and testing are immediately advised. There’s significant risk for businesses with heavy machinery, you don’t want your workers operating chainsaws while on cocaine.”

Regional highlights

TDDA tracks regional fluctuations in substance use to help employers better manage workplace safety risks through targeted testing, education, and early intervention.

Drug Detection Rate in Auckland West, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Q4 data shows that drug trends are increasingly diverging by region, rather than moving in a single national direction. ATS recorded sharp increases, particularly in Auckland West, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Northland, Southland, and Wellington, while easing in some areas including Canterbury, Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki. At the same time, cannabis detections declined in many regions after peaking in Q3, although some areas, including Gisborne and Canterbury, experienced a bounce-back. Opioids use also increased across multiple regions, especially in Otago, Taranaki, Tasman and Wellington, reinforcing the need for closer monitoring.

“What this data reinforces is the need to stay proactive,” says Dobson. “As the year gets underway and businesses recruit, onboard new staff, or adjust workforce needs, clear expectations become critical. Fit-for-purpose substance use policies, supported by pre-employment testing, regular testing programmes, and ongoing training and education, help organisations manage risk early and prevent issues from arising on the job.”