Breakfast with Jim – South Canterbury

Transporting New Zealand members and local political candidates from South and Mid Canterbury gathered in Timaru last week for an early-morning industry catch-up. 

Over breakfast, members had an opportunity to raise issues affecting the road transport industry directly with the potential MPs ahead of the upcoming election. 

Those attending included Waitaki MP Miles Anderson, Sean Beamish from ACT, Isaac Nicholson from NZ First, Dave Richards from the Green Party, and Karl Thomas from the Conservative Party. National’s Rangitata MP and Associate Transport Minister James Meager and Labour representative Sange Malama, were last minute apologies. 

A range of industry concerns were discussed, including the increasing charges introduced at New Zealand ports over the last couple of years, including the Port of Timaru. Members questioned the need for additional charges intended to streamline bookings at Timaru when, in their experience, booking had not previously been a problem. There was frustration that these costs were adding to the operating expenses of transport businesses, with the costs ultimately flowing through to consumers. 

The discussion also raised the potential future of live cattle exports. When questioned about reintroducing the trade, all candidates present indicated their support, including the Green representative (which is not the party’s official stance). 

The breakfast provided a great opportunity for open discussion between local transport operators and political representatives, ensuring that issues affecting the industry were being heard directly by those seeking to represent their communities in Parliament.