Event Update from North Island Membership Manager Keith McGuire
Transporting New Zealand Membership Team Manager John Collins and Upper North Island Advisor Keith McGuire hosted a regulatory catch-up at Auckland Airport on 8 December.
First up was Iain Rossiter from NZTA. Many of you will know Iain as he has been working for NZTA for a very long time.
NZTA: Points covered and key themes
- The role of the Regulator – TSL commercial licensing – Permitting & Regional Compliance
- Recent changes to regional boundaries includes South Auckland, Waikato, Waipā, Waitomo
- Review Commercially Licensed operator of Goods, Passenger, Rental & Vehicle recovery operators
- TSL by Type Goods 5780, Small Passenger 1116, Large Pass 219, Rental 139, Vehicle Recovery 116
- Goods Service Licence holders (Appx 1850 are 1 Truck = 32%) and (1040 are 2 Truck operators = 18%)
- Work is divided into 3 categories Random, Reactive and Proactive
- Systems Reviews 80% and Investigations 20%
- Systems reviews typically cover the following areas.
- Admin – TSL, Persons in Control, Driver Licencing, Dangerous Goods, COF/RID & Vehicle Maintenance, Speed, Distractions, Restraints, Drugs & Alcohol, Work time & Log Book, Permits and Road User Charges
- Are there systems in place to monitor these areas of control? Is the system working – identifying issues – rectifying problems, training, further monitoring and improvement.
- NZTA may suggest or recommend opportunities to improve with further review, and future follow up.
- NZTA may follow up where systems are not working with Outcome letters, Formal Warnings, Review Driver Licenses Class 2 to 5 – Actions may be Suspension, Disqualification/Revocation. TSL Suspension / Revocation, Prosecutions, 3 Month COF, Conditions on Permits, Electronic Logbooks, speed limiting or monitoring.
- What can operators do now? Track and manage compliance and safety risk within your business operations – Particularly Speed; Work Time; Repairs and Maintenance.
Secondly, we had Malcolm Spence from CVST Auckland.
CVST: Points covered and key themes
- Regional Trends in the Heavy Motor Vehicle Sector; Vehicle Safety Faults – What are we seeing at the roadside, Weigh-in-Motion Update: Bombay and Stanley St, General compliance for Heavy Vehicles and Driver Compliance
- Many drivers are working more than one job, especially in Small Passenger Service Vehicles. PSV worktime is not always recorded in the Heavy Vehicle Logbook (All Work activities must be recorded in your logbook) – Risk of Fatigue. Many drivers are not working full-time in their main job.
- Drivers noting Vehicle defects which are not being remedied, repaired.
- Weigh in Motion Sites The Strand & Stanley St CVST site. New Site at Bombay
- General Heavy Vehicle and Driver Compliance 2022/23 vs 2024/25: Total HMV DSI Crashes fell by 15% , HMV DSI Driver at fault fell by 26%
- Drugs and Alcohol were equally present in the stats above
- Land Transport Drug Driving Amendment Act 2025 – Starts December 2025, Saliva Based Test
- The Roadside tests for four major recreational drugs: Cannabis, Ecstasy, Cocaine and Meth. The lab test will screen for all 25 drugs that can result in a Drug Driving Offence.
- There is an immediate 12 hour stand down for drivers if their second roadside test is positive
- Fines/Demerits are significant: 1 Drug = $200 Fine and 50 Demerits; 2+ Drugs = $400 fine and 75 Demerits
- Operators should ensure their workplace rules and HR policies cover off these issues as well as having internal policies around Drug Testing regimes – Pre employment / post incident and or Random as needed.
Transporting New Zealand Update (Keith McGuire – John Collins)
- Provided the members with an update on our ever expanding member offers and associate supplier relationships and the benefits they provide.
- Updates on Policy and Advocacy work that Transporting New Zealand is working on along with recent and current Submissions summary.
- John Collins introduced himself with a bit of background on his previous roles and what the new role entails.
- We also provided a brief update on the Membership page and Members portal access. If you haven’t received log in details for the Member Portal, please get in touch.
Thanks to those of you who could make it to the event on the day, and to everyone else have a happy and safe Christmas and we will see you all next year.
Members with any questions can contact keith@transporting.nz or check out our upcoming events and updates here.
