NZTD News

Southpac Trucks has expanded its national footprint with the opening of a new branch in Nelson, marking the company’s ninth location across New Zealand. The new site, located at 5A Fayette Lane, is designed to strengthen support for transport operators across the Top of the South Island by providing local access to parts, servicing, and experienced technical support from the Southpac Trucks team.

According to Southpac, the Nelson branch represents a strategic investment in improving responsiveness and enhancing service...

Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says that the closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge will result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper-North Island.

NZTA have advised that State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge will likely remain closed for several weeks, following extensive damage from severe rainfall and multiple large slips.

NZTA advised today (21 January 2026) that work on SH2 has been paused due to heavy rain. With weather set to worsen over the day, c...

UD Truck Distributors (NZ) Ltd (UD Trucks) is expanding its nationwide service network with the appointment of eight Truckstops service agents across the upper and central North Island. 

“Truckstops Whangarei, Albany, Mount Wellington, Taupo, Napier and Rotorua are now official UD Trucks service agents, with the brand-new Truckstops’ workshop in Ruakura, Hamilton and Truckstops Palmerston North joining our service network from 1 February 2026,” said UD Trucks General Manager, Zane Erwee.

“This widens the cov...

Heavy rain has de-stabilised the large slips, meaning it is now unsafe for our contractors to continue clearing work through SH2 Waioweka Gorge. 

With weather set to worsen over the day, crews will take a pause, rest, and allow the weather to pass before reassessing the site and resuming clearing work once safe to do so. 

State Highway 35 (SH35) remains open however it is not a reliable detour route while weather is severe. 

SH2 south of Gisborne and SH5 remain open if people must travel. Add...

Positive business signals 

The latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) showed a strong lift in business confidence in the final quarter of 2025. A net 39 percent of firms expect better general economic conditions over the coming months on a seasonally adjusted basis. This was a substantial increase from the net 17 percent expecting an improved general economic outlook in the September quarter, and business confidence is at its highest level since March 2014. 

NZIER repo...

New Zealand’s fairest fuel providers plan to create a national network that would continue to drive lower pump prices to Kiwis everywhere. 

The merger would combine NPD and Gull’s complementary sites, teams and supply chains to become the largest independent, majority Kiwi-owned fuel company. Retaining their distinctive brands, they plan to deliver faster, smarter and fairer fuel at 240 sites from Invercargill to Kaitaia.

Together, NPD and Gull will leverage behind-the-scenes capabilities and the increased b...