Last week National Road Carriers held our first full Board meeting of the year — a fitting moment as we enter our 90th year representing New Zealand’s road freight industry.

For nine decades, NRC has operated through change — economic cycles, regulatory reform, fuel shocks, infrastructure rebuilds, workforce shortages and political transitions. 2026 is shaping up to be another pivotal year.

By the end of the year:

- There will have been an election.

- The Ministry of Transport will have merged into the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT).

- Auckland Transport will have merged into Auckland Council;

- And the new Auckland Regional Transport Committee will begin developing  a 30-year Integrated Transport Plan.

When structural change happens at scale, systems can lose intellectual property, technical expertise, institutional memory and critical relationships. Those losses are often permanent. We are already hearing from members seeing signs of disruption in agency engagement.

This is exactly the kind of environment NRC was established to navigate.

For 90 years, our role has been consistent: ensure freight operators are not collateral damage in system reform.

Our Board’s direction for this year is clear.

We are focused on two priorities:

1. Putting forward to government the clear, practical asks the industry needs — to secure productivity, workforce capability and safety outcomes that allow freight to keep moving New Zealand; and

2. Ensuring NRC continues delivering tangible value to members — through buying power, advice, technical expertise and advocacy that protects your operating environment. 

In a year of structural change and an election cycle, freight must not become an afterthought. The country depends on a safe, productive and resilient road freight system.

NRC will continue to be your voice — calling for joined up transport leadership, practical regulatory settings and infrastructure decisions that recognise freight as essential economic infrastructure.

You can stay up to date with our advocacy and engagement through Justin’s Minute, our social channels, and our regular member events, both in person and online.

In our 90th year, that responsibility carries even more weight.

Over the coming months you will hear more from us about the changes we believe are necessary to secure the next decade of road freight in New Zealand.

But NRC’s influence does not come from Wellington. It comes from you.

When freight operators, from owner-drivers to large fleets, speak clearly and consistently about what is needed on the ground, government listens differently. Real-world evidence from the grassroots carries weight that policy papers alone cannot.

In our 90th year, we are drawing directly on that experience. The strength of NRC has always been that we represent the practical realities of the road — not theory.

Tell us what your business needs to thrive. Tell us where the system is slowing you down. Tell us what must change this election year.

A clear, united message from the grassroots makes government stand up and listen.

After 90 years, that remains our greatest strength.

Justin Tighe-Umbers, Chief Executive, National Road Carriers Assn