National Road Carriers Association (NRC) is calling for the next government to appoint a Minister of Supply Chain as part of a six-point election manifesto aimed at improving New Zealand’s $59 billion annual freight sector.
The freight organisation says volumes are projected to grow by 55% over the next 20 years and wants greater co-ordination across road, rail, ports, workforce and energy policy.
The call is part of NRC’s The Freight System New Zealand Needs election manifesto, which includes:
- Smarter spending on transport infrastructure to accelerate freight productivity
- Faster rule changes to take advantage of bigger, safer, more efficient trucks
- Securing onshore fuel supplies and backing the shift to low emission heavy vehicles
- Raising the bar for the Transport Service Licence and pinning responsibility on freight users
- Recognising truck driving as skilled work with a migration path to residency for drivers
NRC chief executive officer Justin Tighe-Umbers says the cost of living and economic growth will be major issues in the 2026 election, with freight costs accounting for around 12% of supermarket prices.
“Everyone from businesses through to everyday New Zealanders have felt the pinch in their pockets.
“The freight sector has an indispensable role to play. From fruit and vegetables, to appliances, and construction materials, every sector of New Zealand’s economy depends on the freight system,” Tighe-Umbers says.
Minister of supply chain
Tighe-Umbers says there is currently no person or organisation with end-to-end responsibility for the performance of New Zealand’s freight system.
“Roads sit with one minister, rail with KiwiRail, ports with councils, workforce with Immigration, and energy with another portfolio.
“Australia, the United Kingdom, and Singapore each line up the three things that make freight work: one minister responsible for the end-to-end supply chain, a government department that can span this system, and a co-ordinating body with a mandate to bring government and industry together. New Zealand aligns none of them.
“We appreciate the recent decisions from this Government to launch the Action Plan for Freight and establish the Freight Advisory Council. We call on the next Government to build on this momentum.”
Smarter infrastructure spending
NRC says New Zealand ranks in the top 10% of the OECD for infrastructure spending per person but in the bottom 10% for what it delivers.
It argues ending the cycle of projects starting, stopping or changing following a change of government would allow more spending to shift from consultants to construction.
The manifesto calls on the Freight Advisory Council (FAC) and the Infrastructure Commission to identify investments across road, rail, sea and air that move the most freight for each dollar spent, drawing on the National Infrastructure Plan.
Faster rule changes
NRC is also calling for faster adoption of proven international vehicle standards rather than New Zealand developing its own rules.
“Changing these rules can take years,” says Tighe-Umbers. “In the meantime, our freight operators can only watch as the world adopts bigger, safer, and more efficient trucks. Finland cut national transport costs by 4.4% over four years from a single mass limit change – in New Zealand that would equate to a $2.6 billion saving on our $59 billion annual freight cost.
“We also risk being left behind by international supply chains. International shipping lines are rapidly adopting 38-tonne containers which would be too heavy for most permitted trucks on our roads.”
Fuel security and low-emission vehicles
NRC wants greater onshore fuel storage alongside support for the transition to low and zero-emission heavy vehicles.
“Any significant shock to our fuel supply chain – whether that is a geopolitical event, future pandemic, or natural disaster – could stall our freight supply chain in weeks. The total cost to New Zealand in increased diesel cost since the Iran war started in February is more than $1.5 billion.
“We need to firm up our onshore fuel supplies by increasing onshore storage capacity and grow our energy independence by backing the shift to low and zero-emission heavy vehicles.”
NRC is working with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) on the transition away from fossil fuels, while members NZ Post, WM New Zealand, formerly Waste Management, and truck rental company TR Group are introducing electric and hydrogen-powered trucks.
Transport Service Licence reform
NRC says the Transport Service Licence (TSL) system needs strengthening, arguing licences are too easy to obtain and too difficult to lose.
“The system needs to identify and attach consequences to operators who create risks,” says Tighe-Umbers. “Roadworker Johnathan Walters was killed when he was run over in May 2024 by the unroadworthy truck of an operator who continued to work despite many breaches and a system that failed to stop him.
“A procurer can take the cheapest quote for freight transport without fear of consequence, creating a race to the bottom where the operator that skips on compliance and charges less wins the business. We need freight owners, freight forwarders, transport operators and end customers to all hold a level of responsibility for safety compliance. Australian Chain of Responsibility legislation is an example of a system that ensures purchasing decisions take compliance and the cost of it into account.”
Recognising truck driving as skilled work
NRC says New Zealand’s average truck driver is 57 years old and the proportion of younger people looking to enter the industry is shrinking.
It wants truck driving recognised as skilled work and a migration pathway to residency established for overseas drivers.
“The truck driving labour pool is international and mobile, and we are struggling to attract qualified skills to our shores. We need to recognise truck driving as skilled work, with a migration pathway to residency, so New Zealand can compete for the people it needs,” says Tighe-Umbers.
