Heavy transport in New Zealand faces what will possibly be its greatest challenge over the next 10-15 years.
After the heat coming off the ability to recruit the last three years as the overcapacity of fleet and drivers Covid provided our industry, we head into 2026, specifically toward Q3 and Q4, and will see the funnel will begin to empty for all. For some it’s already empty.
Organically, the industry in Q4 2026 it will be back to where it would have been if the Covid experience had never occurred.
Personally, as a relatively new participant in the industry (less than eight years) it has interested me why the industry has three representative organisations: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, National Road Carriers (NRC) and New Zealand Trucking Association (NTA).
My thought process is a body representing an industry must place the industry it represents before its past, before the interest of its current governance and before the interests of its executive. That’s tough, easier said than done.
Everyone’s sole purpose in those organisations should be doing what is best for the industry.
I am aware there have been attempts to unite. I have learned that at a central government level there is a genuine desire to see one voice united.
I am asking members of all three organisations to ask the question, selflessly, what the best way is that the industry can represent itself. After the last 12 months questioning many from all parts of the industry, I have not found one person who can tell me why a united representation isn’t what’s best for the industry.
I believe a singular representation of the industry needs to focus on these three goals:
- Creating the funnel for the next generation of drivers.
- Creating a regulated driver process to Class 5.
- A regulated standard for a Transport Service Licence (TSL).
The last stats I read there were 10 drivers exiting the industry a day, 50 a week, 2600 per year. Many to retire and many who are exiting full time to chase the seasons. A balance of lifestyle and using their skill.
We arguably have the least experienced driver base on the New Zealand roads in history, many drivers born in NZ never having the chance to have learned the old-fashioned way, many who have arrived from overseas to fill our country’s needs with little experience of roads conditions we have in New Zealand.
We have an amazing ability where we can get a licence for a Class 5 truck with a minimal amount of time behind the wheel, then can set up your own transport company by simply applying for a TSL.
The transport industry is a critical part of the lives of every Kiwi, drivers for the most part are equivalent in skill to any high-performance role in New Zealand. Bar flying a plane or captaining a boat, our professionals are responsible for driving a significant asset often upwards of $700k to $1 million.
So, my call out to the members of all three organisations is to put the industry first. Like never before we need a singular representation by the very best governance, the very best executives and support teams New Zealand has to offer.
It’s up to us as members to lead from the front. I am confident in saying, the organisations’ boards or executives won’t make it happen on their own.
I respect the past, the blood sweat and tears of various leaders, but the future ahead needs the best representation we can gather.
As Kiwis, we often get the definition of competition totally wrong. Com + petere from the Latin, meaning together + strive. So, competition can be war or cooperation.
Let’s be selfless and choose cooperation and what’s best for the industry. That way we might give ourselves who have significant investment in the industry a sustainable future, one where we can return a satisfactory return to those who invest in it and ultimately return our drivers home safely every day.
*My thoughts are as managing director of Symons Transport and not on behalf of other organisations I represent.
