Well, two weeks in and I am feeling very welcomed by the NRC Team, our industry partners and members. It’s a huge industry to get to grips with, but an exciting one with loads of opportunities and challenges.
Last week I headed South to catch up with the NZ Trucking Association (NTA) team to discuss a range of projects including the recent successful Trucking Industry Summit, the Road Safety Truck and the upcoming Trucking Industry Show in November. Hot tip, tickets are in high demand so I’d suggest booking sooner rather than later.
First impressions – as I talk to our members it’s clear there is a huge amount going on across the industry that is being felt daily by commercial transport operators. On the positive side of the ledger demand for road transport services is strong and growing. But there are a bunch of challenges for operators to meet that demand – labour shortages, costs being driven by fuel price and inflation, some shocking road conditions and weather events just to name a few.
Just this week we saw a headline grabbing “$1b shortfall in road funding” being talked about across media. Now while it makes for an impressive headline, digging a little deeper with the help of our COO James Smith and there is more to the story:
- The funding gap is recognised and being already being replaced from other Crown funding.
- At $308m per year, the “$1b hole” actually only represents 5% of the over $6b annual spend covered by the fund.
The good news is the Minister, Waka Kotahi, other road controlling authorities and the industry all agree that our roads need to be fixed along with finding better ways to fund their construction and upkeep.
This is getting huge attention across media.
In my first week I met with Minister Wood, senior officials at Waka Kotahi, MBIE and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. I have been impressed by their willingness to work closely with our industry not only on the immediate challenges but on long term solutions.
The team at NRC are hearing daily how tough you as members are doing it, and we are working hard continuing to develop our support services and partnerships.
There is already an impressive range on offer, to help you with everything from managing your business finances, cost modelling contracts through to how to look after your physical and mental health. If you’re not using them already, I encourage you to jump on the NRC website and see what help we have on offer.
I’ll be hitting the road starting with the lower and central North Island and I am looking forward to meeting many of you. I’ll be keeping you posted through the Transport Minute each week with what I’m hearing along the way.
I’d love to hear from you so if you have any questions or feedback hit the reply button and let me know.
Justin Tighe-Umbers
CEO | National Road Carriers Assn
DDI: +64 9 636 2951 E: justin.tighe-umbers@natroad.co.nz
‘Supporting those who choose to make a living in the Road Transport Industry’ Since 1936
