This year’s Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Conference was the first since 2019, which also meant that it was the first time in three years that we held the Transporting New Zealand Industry Awards. I believe these awards are an important way for the trucking community to annually recognise best practice and outstanding achievement in our industry. They are about helping an industry that very rarely blows its own trumpet, to enjoy and promote its success.

The awards honour individuals and organisations whose activities and achievements ultimately improve the daily lives of others and ensure the industry is a rewarding and safe environment to work in.

The big award of the night, the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to NZ Road Transport, was some thing of a double hit for the winner, Neil Reid, as he also received the first ever life membership to Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand.

Winners of the inaugural Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Industry Awards. From left: John Alexander, Hayley Alexander, Paul Hintz, the Alexander Group (EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety Award); Neil Reid (VTNZ Supreme Contribution to NZ Road Transport and inaugural Life Member of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand); Te ara ki tua Road to success graduate Nadine Rowan-Thomson, KAM Transport; Brianna Wilson, Philip Wareing Ltd (EROAD Young Driver of the Year – under 35); Josh Hart, Hart Haulage (Castrol Truck Driver Hero Award); and Road to success graduate Sheryl McGlashan, Brenics Transport. (Not present: Road to success graduates Hayden Cockburn, RTL, and Mark Closel, of NZ Express; and Jenny McIntyre, Waimea Contract Carriers (Teletrac Navman Outstanding Contribution by a Woman in the Road Transport Industry)

From Road Transport News, October 2022