Nick’s Blog
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
Tags: economics, Government, Infrastructure, New Zealand road transport, Rail freight
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
Tags: cannabis, drug testing, Employment, Government, Law, New Zealand road transport
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
Tags: consultation, Employment, Government, policy
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
Tags: Climate change, environment, Government, New Zealand road transport, sustainability
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
Tags: freight, Government, Infrastructure, Local government, ports
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
Tags: consultation, Government, Road safety, Road transport
Water policy will hurt us all
A strong New Zealand economy relies on a healthy primary sector. If the farmers and growers who produce our food and related primary products are doing well, that positively impacts the whole economy. That includes those in the road freight business of moving those goods around New Zealand and to ports and airports for export, … Read More
Tags: environment, Government, policy, Road transport, Wellbeing
Wellingtonians mere pawns in Government games
I know that most of the country isn’t really that interested in what happens in the capital, but please indulge me for this one blog. As somebody who lives and is passionate about the Wellington region, it makes me irate to see Wellingtonians and their transport issues become pawns in this Government’s ideological games. It … Read More
Tags: Government, Infrastructure, policy, Road transport, Roads, Wellington
Road trumps rail to meet customer demands
The 2017-18 National Freight Demand Study was released, without fanfare, a couple of weeks ago. This is the first such study in five years and it’s a significant reminder of just how important road transport is to the New Zealand economy. It’s important to get it straight up front, New Zealand’s freight network works best … Read More
Tags: freight, Government, Infrastructure, New Zealand road transport, Rail freight, Road transport, Roads
Lack of investment in roads will cost us all
We continue to see evidence of the importance of roads in New Zealand. We have a geographically challenging country and the way we all connect to one another is via roads – 93,000 kilometres of them. Last week, the 2017-18 National Freight Demand Study was released, showing road transport is the major mode of travel … Read More
Tags: Government, Infrastructure, Rail freight, Road safety, Roads, Speed limits, strategy