Two-thirds of Australasian freight operators plan to increase technology spending over the next year, hoping smarter systems and AI can help keep costs under control. 

With fuel prices fluctuating, margins under pressure and business failures hitting the transport sector, freight operators across New Zealand and Australia are looking for ways to work smarter rather than simply spend more.

New research from the Origin Logistics Technology Outlook 2026 reveals that 68% of freight and logistics operators expect to increase their technology investment over the next 12 months, up from 52% in 2025. The biggest motivation? Cutting costs and improving efficiency, cited by 77% of respondents. 

Artificial intelligence is also gaining traction, with 41% planning technology investments specifically to enable AI or automation. The proportion of operators already running AI in production has nearly doubled in a year, rising from 15% to 28%.

However, there's a catch, spending more doesn't automatically mean getting more. Just 48% of operators measure the returns from their technology investments, while only 26% can see every job, its status and its cost in one live view. In other words, businesses are investing in smarter tools but many still struggle to get a complete picture of their own operations.

AI could help with everything from route and load planning to processing paperwork, reducing administration and potentially saving fuel through more efficient journeys. Yet only 12% of respondents said their last major technology implementation was delivered on time, on budget and as expected.

The research suggests that connecting existing systems may be just as important as replacing them. When transport, finance and customer information can communicate properly, operators have a better chance of identifying costs, billing for additional work and keeping customers informed. 

For New Zealand's transport industry, the message is clear: technology is becoming an increasingly important tool in the battle against rising operating costs. But the real winners may not be those spending the most, they'll be the businesses that can prove their investment is actually paying off.