Latest news with #2025NationalRoadFreightSurvey
Scoop
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Road Transport Workforce Report Released
National road freight association Transporting New Zealand has released the landmark 2025 Road Transport Workforce Report, in collaboration with Teletrac Navman. The report explores how the demographic makeup of New Zealand's road freight industry evolved between 2013 and 2023, drawing from previously unreleased census data. The detailed snapshot of New Zealand's trucking workforce revealed key insights around age, gender, nationality and ethnicity. Drivers aged over 65 made up more than 10 per cent of the workforce in 2023. This finding echoed that of the recent 2025 National Road Freight Survey, in which almost half of industry respondents (47 per cent) indicated that "up to 25 per cent" or more of their staff would retire or leave the industry in the next five years. The workforce report also found that the number of female truck drivers increased by 240 per cent between 2013 and 2023. Female drivers made up six per cent of the truck driving workforce in 2023. Migrant workers are also playing an increasingly important role with almost 25 per cent of drivers being born overseas as of 2023. Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says the report provides a valuable insight into the truck driving workforce. "Truck drivers make up 1.2% of New Zealand's total workforce, making it the 11th most common occupation in the country." "With nearly 93% of New Zealand's total freight tonnage moved by road, the demand for road freight services will only increase as our population continues to grow. Ensuring that the sector is staffed with skilled, capable drivers is more important than ever." "As the workforce gets older, more truck drivers will reduce their hours or retire, leaving severe skill shortages. The road freight industry and the government must work together to ensure new entrants are supported through the driver development pipeline". "The report sets out how Transporting New Zealand has been responding to these challenges, and how the road freight industry can develop, recruit and retain a diverse and resilient workforce." "We're very grateful to Teletrac Navman for supporting the Road Transport Workforce Report, as part of the multi-year Te ara ki tua Road to Success workforce development programme." The full 2025 Road Transport Workforce Report can be viewed here. About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
Scoop
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Road Rage And Abusive Behaviour Concerns Road Freight Operators
Press Release – Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Transporting New Zealand continues to advocate for roading improvements that reduce the risk of driver frustration and impatience, including additional passing lanes, widening narrow corners, and providing improved rest and parking facilities for trucks … The 2025 National Road Freight Survey has raised concerns about truck drivers facing road rage and abuse while doing their jobs. The survey of 194 industry participants across 128 road freight firms asked respondents to rank their three leading issues, ranging from health and wellbeing of drivers to the state of the roading network. Of the survey respondents who identified public perception and industry reputation as one of their leading issues, 50 per cent said their drivers regularly experienced abuse from members of the public while working. These findings were supported by results from a survey from AA Insurance earlier in the year, showing nearly half of respondents thought road rage had intensified over the past 12 months. Billy Clemens, head of Transporting New Zealand's Policy & Advocacy, says while most of the public view truck drivers positively, a small minority of road users were putting others at risk. 'Research NZ surveyed 1005 members of the public and found more than seven times as many people surveyed having a positive perception of road freight drivers compared to those taking a negative view (52 per cent to 7 per cent, the remainder being neutral). 'Transporting New Zealand's concerns about road rage and abuse are focussed on a very small proportion of road users.' 'What worries us and our road freight members are truck drivers being harassed and abused while going about their work. Truck driving is challenging enough without drivers having to ignore insults and abuse, de-escalate disputes, and refer threatening behaviour onto Police.' Clemens acknowledged that trucks could challenge people's patience on the road, but encouraged all road users to show patience and consideration, and report poor driving to Police at -555. 'Trucks are limited to a maximum of 90 km/h on all roads, need additional time to speed up and slow down, and need to take particular care on narrow roads and corners. 'Drivers also need to park up their trucks to take mandated rest breaks. These factors can all contribute to frustration from other road users, but we encourage everyone to be considerate.' Transporting New Zealand is also responding to these concerns by providing practical guidance to truck drivers on how to resolve incidents of road rage and abuse. This includes a session on practical de-escalation and conflict resolution skills at its South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on 28 June. The session will be presented by Protect Self Defence, with supporting resources and videos to be shared publicly afterwards, supported by the E. J. Brenan Memorial Trust. Transporting New Zealand also continues to advocate for roading improvements that reduce the risk of driver frustration and impatience, including additional passing lanes, widening narrow corners, and providing improved rest and parking facilities for trucks and other vehicles. 'With a combination of education, roading improvements, and considerate behaviour, we can make the roads safer for everyone.' About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
Scoop
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Road Rage And Abusive Behaviour Concerns Road Freight Operators
The 2025 National Road Freight Survey has raised concerns about truck drivers facing road rage and abuse while doing their jobs. The survey of 194 industry participants across 128 road freight firms asked respondents to rank their three leading issues, ranging from health and wellbeing of drivers to the state of the roading network. Of the survey respondents who identified public perception and industry reputation as one of their leading issues, 50 per cent said their drivers regularly experienced abuse from members of the public while working. These findings were supported by results from a survey from AA Insurance earlier in the year, showing nearly half of respondents thought road rage had intensified over the past 12 months. Billy Clemens, head of Transporting New Zealand's Policy & Advocacy, says while most of the public view truck drivers positively, a small minority of road users were putting others at risk. "Research NZ surveyed 1005 members of the public and found more than seven times as many people surveyed having a positive perception of road freight drivers compared to those taking a negative view (52 per cent to 7 per cent, the remainder being neutral). "Transporting New Zealand's concerns about road rage and abuse are focussed on a very small proportion of road users." "What worries us and our road freight members are truck drivers being harassed and abused while going about their work. Truck driving is challenging enough without drivers having to ignore insults and abuse, de-escalate disputes, and refer threatening behaviour onto Police." Clemens acknowledged that trucks could challenge people's patience on the road, but encouraged all road users to show patience and consideration, and report poor driving to Police at -555. "Trucks are limited to a maximum of 90 km/h on all roads, need additional time to speed up and slow down, and need to take particular care on narrow roads and corners. "Drivers also need to park up their trucks to take mandated rest breaks. These factors can all contribute to frustration from other road users, but we encourage everyone to be considerate." Transporting New Zealand is also responding to these concerns by providing practical guidance to truck drivers on how to resolve incidents of road rage and abuse. This includes a session on practical de-escalation and conflict resolution skills at its South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on 28 June. The session will be presented by Protect Self Defence, with supporting resources and videos to be shared publicly afterwards, supported by the E. J. Brenan Memorial Trust. Transporting New Zealand also continues to advocate for roading improvements that reduce the risk of driver frustration and impatience, including additional passing lanes, widening narrow corners, and providing improved rest and parking facilities for trucks and other vehicles. "With a combination of education, roading improvements, and considerate behaviour, we can make the roads safer for everyone." About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
