Category: Transport Minute

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.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 27/02/26

Last week National Road Carriers had our first full Board meeting of the year. In our discussions reviewing our industry operating environment (a key part of any strategy), it was clear 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for transport.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 20/02/26

On Tuesday this week, the Minister Chris Bishop tabled the Infrastructure Commission’s much anticipated National Infrastructure Plan in Parliament, or NIP as it is known amongst Wellington types.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 30/01/26

After a well-earned rest over the Christmas Holidays the NRC team is hitting the ground running, with our first a Select Committee appearance next week regarding our

Up before Parliament is a bill that proposes to reshape how tolls can be set and whether trucks will still have a real choice about using them.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 12/12/25

As we approach Christmas, the usual ramp up in supply chain activity is well underway. Truck movements are up, ports are busy, the ferries are full…the seasonal bump is upon us.

Reaching the end of this year in particular has been a feat worth celebrating in itself.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 05/12/25

As we approach the end of the year, I want to reflect on the progress we have made together. When I stepped into this role, I emphasised the importance of taking a steady, considered approach and that building trust, listening carefully, and understanding the goals of government would be essential if we are to shift the dial for road transport.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 28/11/25

My Transport Minute last week on the three-year manslaughter sentence for a truck owner causing the death of a road worker was a hot topic in the industry and media

Justin’s Transport Minute – 21/11/25

This week NZTA fired a major warning shot in the battle against fraudulent driver licences. The land transport regulator has moved to cancel 440 commercial driver licences due to fraudulent activity. All the class 3-5 drivers licences have been converted from overseas licences.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 14/11/25

This week NZTA fired a major warning shot in the battle against fraudulent driver licences. The land transport regulator has moved to cancel 440 commercial driver licences due to fraudulent activity. All the class 3-5 drivers licences have been converted from overseas licences.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 07/11/25

This week I had the pleasure of attending an Auckland Business Chamber breakfast event on “under-pressure infrastructure”.  Something we have heard a lot about lately.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 28/8/25

Friday night National Road Carriers held our 89th Annual General Meeting at the Jet Park Inn, gathering members, sponsors and supporters. There was a great atmosphere in the room, despite the tough year (or perhaps because of it) everyone enjoyed getting together and catching up over a drink