Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

“How do we make the waka go faster?” was a phrase that used to be heard a lot when the relationship between Government and the economy was front-of-mind, with Government ministers and senior officials.

Basically, it emphasised how Government through regulatory or policy means could help the business sector be more productive and therefore, help grow the economy to benefit more people.

Unfortunately, ‘how do we make the waka go faster?’, has gone the way of the moa and is now totally extinct. In fact, the mere utterance of it from a senior public servant would probably elicit a stern ‘please explain’ from their political masters in the beehive.

Private sector success ...

The Christmas holiday period is always a great chance to reflect on the year that’s been: Its highs, lows, successes and challenges. 

The COVID-19 Delta rollercoaster ride was, for many individuals, families and businesses, an extremely tough time and has placed significant strain on our economy, our mental wellness and our communities. 

Vaccine mandates and various restrictions now divide the country and we have seen some pretty ugly protests as such measures have been implemented.

For Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, 2021 also presented a year of significant change. Not only did we change our name and our brand to better reflect the modern face o...

I can’t begin to imagine how dispirited the thousands of Kiwis trying to return home are right now. 

The new online lobby the Government set up is a joke – the excitement of being allowed to enter the ‘lobby,’ where you queue for a spot in MIQ, is shot to pieces when you realise you are then allocated a number – and your chance of actually getting a spot is about the same as winning the lottery.

Along with all the returning Kiwis needing a place in MIQ are those who travel internationally for work, essential workers who are needed to plug gaps in our job market – such as truck drivers and seasonal workers – and all the others who need or want to come to New Zealand.

Firstly, let me say how excited I am by the rebranding of the Road Transport Forum into Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand.

Replacing the tired RTF brand with Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is about conveying what the industry does for the public and business in NZ – transporting their goods, to their door, when they need them; or their food, medicines and other essentials to the stores they shop at, so it is always there when they want it.

You can read more about our new brand on Page 43 – as well as how it fits with where I see that the country needs to head to overcome this pandemic.

Taking a look at other recent events that will impact our industr...

The road freight industry joins other key economic sectors in wanting to keep the country moving, and can’t see any justification for the Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) proposal for a pedestrian crossing on the State Highway 1 route to and from Wellington airport.

“Stopping traffic on such a vital route to make life easier for a handful of people who might want to cross this road where they don’t need to is a ludicrous idea,” says Transporting New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett. 

“This will significantly disadvantage the 35,000 vehicles, commuters, travellers and businesses that use this road every day”

“Cobham Drive is our main state highway and the o...