Truck drivers on the West Coast are the best paid in the country, according to findings from a new report by road freight association Transporting New Zealand and fleet technology firm Teletrac Navman.
The detailed snapshot of the nation’s 33,000-strong truck-driving workforce will be formally released at the South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on June 28
“The latest Census data shows that the West Coast has the best-paid truck drivers in the country, followed by Southland and Waikato,” Transporting NZ policy and advocacy lead Billy Clemens says.
“This varies according to the different regional freight tasks and demands. Our analysis will dig into that further.”
While full findings will be revealed at the seminar, Transporting NZ has confirmed that the mean annual income for West Coast drivers is $8,000 above the national average. The gap between the highest and lowest paid regions — West Coast and Gisborne — is $14,300 a year.
The report will also explore changes in age, gender, income, and even home ownership among drivers, drawing on data from the past three censuses and other authoritative sources. It forms part of the Driving Change Diversity Programme, an initiative backed by Teletrac Navman to support workforce development in the sector.
Clemens says better data will help transport businesses plan for the future and build resilience.
“We know that over 30,000 New Zealanders work as truck drivers – as at 2023, this figure was up to 33,744. However, we’ve been missing evidence-based insights into the number of women working in the industry, the age of the workforce, average hours worked, income, and other demographic trends.
“This information will help ensure Transporting New Zealand and our members are prepared for changes in the workforce, help guide our policy and project priorities and will demonstrate the progress the road freight sector is making in workforce development.”
He says Transporting New Zealand is “incredibly grateful” for Teletrac Navman’s support of both the Driving Change Diversity Programme and the upcoming report.
Rankings from highest to lowest paid regions
- West Coast
- Southland
- Waikato
- Tasman
- Marlborough
- Manawatū-Whanganui
- Canterbury
- Otago
- Taranaki
- Bay of Plenty
- Hawke’s Bay
- Auckland
- Northland
- Nelson
- Wellington
- Gisborne
