What’s in a brand?
The barrage of news about Harry and Meghan’s divorce from the British royal family is a great study in the highs and lows of branding, and its importance in today’s world. Either naively, or ill-advised, Harry and Meghan decided to adopt a royal brand, and create a fancy new website and social media pages under … Read More
Employer attitudes key to solving driver shortage
The driver shortage in the road freight transport industry is well known. Since I started at the Road Transport Forum (RTF) just over a year ago, many operators have talked to me about the shortages they face in securing drivers to enable them to run their businesses effectively. Trucks are often parked up and there … Read More
Country’s fastest roads are saving lives
My holiday reading included a Stuff article stating that two of the country’s fastest roads are actually saving lives. “No one has died on either the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway, or the SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll road, since they opened just over two years ago, figures released to Stuff show,” the article … Read More
Road users should fund roads, not rail
This week, the Government laid down the track to siphon money out of the state purse for building and fixing roads and into the bottomless money pit that is rail. With the first reading in Parliament of the Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill, the Government is on its way to extending the National Land Transport … Read More
Not enough information for cannabis referendum vote
At next year’s general election, the New Zealand public will vote yes or no to a referendum question around legalising recreational cannabis use throughout the country. That vote will focus on the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill, a draft of which was released by Justice Minister Andrew Little on 3 December. The road freight transport … Read More
Worker freedom and flexibility being eroded by law changes
The Government’s move to “one size fits all” with its employment and immigration law changes will restrict the freedom and flexibility truck drivers currently enjoy. With an election year coming, the unions are flexing their muscles. Fresh from making new employees be employed under terms consistent with the collective agreement for their first 30 days, … Read More
Sustainability makes good business sense
Regardless of your views on climate change, having sustainable practices and goals is pretty much essential to a successful customer-facing business. Customers are demanding good environmental measures through their supply chains and if you are in the business of trying to attract younger workers, they want to work for companies that take protecting the planet … Read More
Port move makes no sense
Anyone who has been to Rotterdam in the Netherlands will know it is a port city that embraces both its rich history, and its future as Europe’s largest sea port. Real estate with a view of the port is prized. Government has always considered the enormous economic might of the port in making decisions about … Read More
Evidence base means better buy-in for change
It’s good when government officials listen to industry. It means better policy and greater buy-in, if people feel they have some control over their own destiny. It’s also good when policy, law, rules and regulations are shaped by robust evidence – it makes for credibility. So, the Road Transport Forum (RTF) is working with Waka … Read More
