The inaugural issue was published in March 1999, a time when New Zealand was beginning to recover from the effects of the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis.

In 2026 we face another crisis as Middle East conflict spikes fuel costs, with diesel the hardest hit and threatening the strongest inflationary potential.

It’s a very different transport industry in 2026 than it was in 1999 – operating with new technology and under more stringent regulations.

The major topics showcased in our 300th issue confirm that change continues to be gradual rather than overnight. With electric vehicles in the spotlight we visit WM New Zealand, the operator of the largest heavy vehicle electric fleet in the country and discover they have already accumulated a decade of experience with EVs.

We also look at the shape of trucks for the future by previewing the New Generation DAF range set to debut in New Zealand from next month. The new DAFs are the first trucks to fully exploit the revised European Weights and Dimensions legislation, opening up significant aerodynamic, safety and driver comfort opportunities. 

A new DAF is a timely topic. NZ T&D issue number 1 featured DAF’s 1999 comeback to the New Zealand market after an absence of several years, reporting on the launch of its iconic 75 and 85 models.