NZTD News

Last week 

I attended the Ministry of Transport’s Revenue Programme Stakeholder Reference Group, which is engaging the industry and road user representatives on the transition to universal RUC.

We also hosted the Petroleum Industry Transport Safety Forum in Wellington. Along with the Log Transport Safety Council, these are groups that in my view are shining lights in terms of getting on with doing stuff that needs to be done within their specific sector. Fuel tanker trucks include a lot of s...

This week is an important one in the National Road Carriers association calendar, with members gathering for our 89th Annual General Meeting. 

As New Zealand’s leading industry association for transport NRC has proudly served those making a living in the road transport industry since the days horse and carts were being replaced by the first trucks. Remarkably some of our members go back to that very transition. 

89 years later our association’s services remain as relevant as ever. 

The freigh...

Replacement of the earthquake-damaged Pages Road bridge in Christchurch will proceed, with Government funding of $38.5 million approved by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board, Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed.

“I’m pleased that the NZTA Board have endorsed the business case for the $75.4 million Pages Road bridge renewal project and approved co-funding from the National Land Transport Fund,” Mr Meager says.

“Carrying more than 13,000 vehicles per day, the ...

The 2025 State of the Fleet Survey takes the pulse of the industry across some key topics of interest; EV and Hydrogen, fuel prices, driver availability and more. 

The survey was run for the first time last year and resulted in some interesting insights including 85% of respondents being negatively impacted by fluctuating fuel prices and 70% opting to use contract drivers in some capacity. 

"Perhaps the most interesting insight was that 76% of respondents saw proof of delivery as being a priority yet re...

After 26 years of dedicated service, the Interislander ferry Aratere made its final crossing of the Cook Strait on Monday, marking the end of a significant chapter in New Zealand's maritime history. The vessel, which has completed 53,000 crossings and transported over five million passengers, was given a heartfelt send-off as it journeyed from Picton to Wellington for the last time.

As the Aratere arrived in Wellington harbor just after 2 p.m., it was greeted by tugboats spraying water into the air as a sign of respect...

Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says the pressure is on for the Government to meet its Cook Strait ferry replacement milestones, as the Interislander fleet drops to two vessels without a contract for new ferries being signed.

The rail-enabled Aratere completed its final sailing this week, after 26 years of service. The Cook Strait crossing will be serviced by rail-compatible vessels until 2029 (ferries without train tracks for rail wagons to be shunted on).

The rail frei...