Latest news with #IaAraAotearoa
Scoop
3 days ago
- 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
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
It's Good To Be A Truckie On The Coast
National road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is partnering with Teletrac Navman to produce a detailed snapshot of the road transport sector. The report will be released at Transporting New Zealand's South Island Road Freight Seminar in Christchurch on 28 June. One of the early findings is that truck drivers on the West Coast of the South Island do well in comparison to the rest of New Zealand. "The latest Census data shows that the West Coast has the best-paid truck drivers in the country, followed by Southland and Waikato," says Transporting New Zealand's Policy and Advocacy Lead, Billy Clemens. "This varies according to the different regional freight tasks and demands. Our analysis will dig into that further." The upcoming report will analyse shifts in age, gender, income trends, and even home ownership across the 33,000-strong truck-driving workforce. It is the latest element of the Driving Change Diversity Programme, sponsored by fleet management solutions provider Teletrac Navman as part of that company's commitment to supporting workforce development in the transport sector. Clemens says having an evidence-based report of workforce trends will help road freight businesses with planning and building resilience. "We know that over 30,000 New Zealanders work as truck drivers - as at 2023, this figure was up to 33,744. However, we've been missing evidence-based insights into the number of women working in the industry, the age of the workforce, average hours worked, income, and other demographic trends. "Our Road Transport Workforce Snapshot will look at data from the past three censuses, along with other authoritative data sources, to paint a comprehensive picture. "This information will help ensure Transporting New Zealand and our members are prepared for changes in the workforce, help guide our policy and project priorities and will demonstrate the progress the road freight sector is making in workforce development." "Transporting New Zealand is incredibly grateful for Teletrac Navman's ongoing support of the Driving Change Diversity Programme and the Road Transport Workforce Report." Regional Rankings - Mean Truck Driver Income Across New Zealand (according to 2023 Census data) 1. West Coast 2. Southland 3. Waikato 4. Tasman 5. Marlborough 6. Manawatū-Whanganui 7. Canterbury 8. Otago 9. Taranaki 10. Bay of Plenty 11. Hawke's Bay 12. Auckland 13. Northland 14. Nelson 15. Wellington 16. Gisborne 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. About Teletrac Navman Teletrac Navman's goal is to empower the industries that transform and sustain our futures with simple and intelligent solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of their operation. As a connected mobility platform for industries that manage vehicle and equipment assets, Teletrac Navman simplifies the complex so that its customers can transform the way they work through cloud-based solutions that leverage AI to unlock the power of operational insight. Teletrac Navman manages more than 700,000 vehicles and assets around the world. The company operates globally, with offices worldwide and headquarters in Northbrook IL. For more information visit Teletrac Navman is a Vontier company.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Road Freight Industry Gloomy About Economy
Press Release – Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Health, safety, and wellbeing and workforce challenges were also priorities. A total of 78 per cent of respondents called for more purpose-designed rest stops for drivers, and 72 per cent said it was important for drivers to have a good work-life balance. New Zealand's road freight industry is painting a gloomy picture for business, with only a minority expecting their financial situation to improve over the coming year. The results are contained in the 2025 National Road Freight Industry Survey, a major survey of 194 respondents across 128 road freight businesses, conducted in March this year by Research NZ on behalf of advocacy group Transporting New Zealand. The survey was also promoted by the New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association and Groundspread NZ and represents the most extensive industry snapshot in over a decade. Transporting New Zealand says the survey offers sobering insights into business conditions, the deteriorating road network, and challenges around driver safety and wellbeing. Only 34 per cent of those surveyed expected their financial situation to improve over the next 12 months, and only one in four respondents reported having sustainable operating margins. Just under half (47 per cent) believed the government was on the right economic track, while 25 per cent disagreed and 27 per cent were unsure. Transporting New Zealand says the findings echo the concerns it has heard from members and align with wider economic indicators. 'Company liquidations in the transport sector were up by 79 per cent last year, and the ANZ Truckometer Heavy Traffic Index for June 2024 recorded its biggest monthly drop on record, excluding Covid-19 lockdowns.' says Billy Clemens, Transporting New Zealand's Head of Policy and Advocacy. 'The survey results, combined with the tough economic data, really highlight the need for infrastructure investment from the Government to support growth, as well as resource management reform that helps support new jobs and overseas investment'. Health, safety, and wellbeing and workforce challenges were also priorities. A total of 78 per cent of respondents called for more purpose-designed rest stops for drivers, and 72 per cent said it was important for drivers to have a good work-life balance. Finding new drivers was also a big issue. Almost one-half of industry respondents (47 per cent) indicated that 'up to 25 per cent' or more would retire or leave the industry in the next five years. This highlighted the ageing workforce. Concerns about the state of New Zealand's roads were nearly universal. The vast majority (93 per cent) agreed that poor road maintenance is putting truck drivers and other road users at risk. A significant number (84 per cent), believed that regional roads and bridges are neglected, and that delays in replacing the Cook Strait ferries pose a major risk (79 per cent). One bright spot in the survey for truck drivers was that while the those in the industry believe the public have a negative perception of professional drivers, that is not the case. Nearly half of industry respondents (49 per cent) believed the public holds a negative view of professional drivers, while only 20 per cent believed the public viewed them positively. However, a poll of 1000 New Zealanders conducted by Research NZ painted a more favourable picture, with 52 per cent saying they view professional road freight drivers positively; and only 7 per cent expressing a negative view. 'It's encouraging to see such widespread public support for truck drivers, and Transporting New Zealand will be highlighting this in our advocacy – especially as we push for better public facilities for drivers and policies that support the long-term sustainability of freight businesses,' says Clemens.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Road Freight Association Backs Time Of Use Charging Bill, But Flags Cost Concerns
Press Release – Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand National road freight association Transporting New Zealand has backed congestion charging legislation, but says that amendments are necessary to maximise savings for consumers and businesses. In its 27 April submission to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee, Transporting New Zealand has proposed four improvements to the draft legislation that would help maximise network efficiency and incentivise buy-in from the road freight sector and their customers: 1. Exempting freight and public transport vehicles from liability to pay time of use charges. 2. Charging light and heavy vehicles at the same rate, rather than penalising larger, more efficient vehicles. 3. Requiring time of use charging scheme assessments to include the expected impacts on the supply chain and freight movement. 4. Allowing short-term trials ahead of confirming a time of use charging scheme proposal. Transporting New Zealand Head of Policy & Advocacy Billy Clemens says that these recommendations reflect the fact that road freight demand is inflexible – driven by customers' 'capacity to receive'. 'We know from international experience that congestion charges do not result in material changes in freight vehicles travelling at peak times. 'Without appropriate protections in the legislation, congestion charges act as unavoidable taxes on freight operators, raising costs for businesses and consumers without meaningfully improving traffic gridlock. 'Our members don't want to have to pass these charges onto their customers, and deal with the associated administration costs. Clemens said that congestion charging was a contentious issue in the road freight industry, with a diverse range of views being captured in their 2025 Road Freight Survey, due to be released tomorrow (1 May 2025). '42 per cent of road freight operators surveyed in the 2025 Road Freight Survey stated they supported or strongly supported the use of congestion charging, 23 per cent were neutral and 32 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed. The remaining 3 per cent indicated they were unsure. '78 per cent of operators agreed that road freight should be exempt from congestion charging, with 16 per cent being neutral and 6 per cent disagreeing. Transporting New Zealand had also reviewed the submission of Auckland Council, and agreed with their statement that time of use charging must work for Auckland, as the city most likely to put in place a time of use charging scheme. 'The Council has made some important points around governance and revenue provisions, and complementary measures such as public transport improvements. We hope the Committee will give them careful consideration so we get workable legislation passed.'
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Road Freight Association Backs Time Of Use Charging Bill, But Flags Cost Concerns
Press Release – Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Clemens said that congestion charging was a contentious issue in the road freight industry, with a diverse range of views being captured in their 2025 Road Freight Survey, due to be released tomorrow (1 May 2025). National road freight association Transporting New Zealand has backed congestion charging legislation, but says that amendments are necessary to maximise savings for consumers and businesses. In its 27 April submission to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee, Transporting New Zealand has proposed four improvements to the draft legislation that would help maximise network efficiency and incentivise buy-in from the road freight sector and their customers: 1. Exempting freight and public transport vehicles from liability to pay time of use charges. 2. Charging light and heavy vehicles at the same rate, rather than penalising larger, more efficient vehicles. 3. Requiring time of use charging scheme assessments to include the expected impacts on the supply chain and freight movement. 4. Allowing short-term trials ahead of confirming a time of use charging scheme proposal. Transporting New Zealand Head of Policy & Advocacy Billy Clemens says that these recommendations reflect the fact that road freight demand is inflexible – driven by customers' 'capacity to receive'. 'We know from international experience that congestion charges do not result in material changes in freight vehicles travelling at peak times. 'Without appropriate protections in the legislation, congestion charges act as unavoidable taxes on freight operators, raising costs for businesses and consumers without meaningfully improving traffic gridlock. 'Our members don't want to have to pass these charges onto their customers, and deal with the associated administration costs. Clemens said that congestion charging was a contentious issue in the road freight industry, with a diverse range of views being captured in their 2025 Road Freight Survey, due to be released tomorrow (1 May 2025). '42 per cent of road freight operators surveyed in the 2025 Road Freight Survey stated they supported or strongly supported the use of congestion charging, 23 per cent were neutral and 32 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed. The remaining 3 per cent indicated they were unsure. '78 per cent of operators agreed that road freight should be exempt from congestion charging, with 16 per cent being neutral and 6 per cent disagreeing. Transporting New Zealand had also reviewed the submission of Auckland Council, and agreed with their statement that time of use charging must work for Auckland, as the city most likely to put in place a time of use charging scheme. 'The Council has made some important points around governance and revenue provisions, and complementary measures such as public transport improvements. We hope the Committee will give them careful consideration so we get workable legislation passed.'
