Category: Transport Minute

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

Justin’s Transport Minute – 22/8/25

There has been unprecedented feedback following my article last week “Systemic failure killed Johnathon Walters” which explored a needless death of a roadworker by an unroadworthy truck. And rightly so, this issue strikes at the heart of safety and compliance in our industry.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 15/8/25

There has been unprecedented feedback following my article last week “Systemic failure killed Johnathon Walters” which explored a needless death of a roadworker by an unroadworthy truck. And rightly so, this issue strikes at the heart of safety and compliance in our industry.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 8/8/25

Last week, a transport company director pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges following the death of roadworker Johnathon Walters, who was run over in May 2024 by an unroadworthy truck.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 18/7/25.

In the government’s self-declared year of economic productivity and growth, we’re seeing some good signs. International summits to attract overseas infrastructure investors, National Infrastructure Plans, road block removals in RMA reforms.

But one area is conspicuous by its absence – Freight & Supply Chain productivity.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 11/7/25.

Last week, I had the pleasure of traveling through the central North Island, visiting NRC members and covering a lot of ground across our beautiful country. The scenery was stunning, but the treacherous July weather gave me a firsthand lesson on the fragility of our road network.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 03/07/25

This week I have had the pleasure of being out on the road in the lower North Island meeting with members. Catching up with operators in their yards, hearing how their business is going and being out on the roading network is crucial when it comes to accurately representing the transport industry to government, the public and media.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 12/06/25

One of many enjoyable aspects of working with National Road Carrier is the dedication of members to running compliant transport operations. That is a key part of why they belong to NRC, they are passionate about keeping our roads and those who use them safe.  The members we talk to on a daily basis are clearly geared towards keeping road user charges (RUC) and Certificate of Fitness (COF) compliant, which stems from a desire to keep their staff, and all road users safe. 

Justin’s Transport Minute – 06/06/25

After spending last week focussed on port charges, this week I joined some of the NRC team in a port ride along, kindly hosted by Marlin Transport. The NRC team regularly take the opportunity to get up close and personal with the supply chain, and walk a mile in our members shoes. This is an invaluable way to experience first hand what transport operators face.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 30/05/25

A good chunk of my week has been taken up with the Port of Auckland’s intended access fee increases in 2026 including attending the Port’s stakeholder meetings laying out their plans.

Justin’s Transport Minute – 23/05/25 –

This week is all about the budget, and the government is clearly focused on managing the books as tightly as possible.
That said, what would NRC like to have seen to help freight and supply chain efficiency?