ROAD TRANSPORT NEWS - Reducing the road toll - Road Transport Association NZ
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Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
ROAD TRANSPORT
NEWS
New Zealand roads can be scenic but challenging. How can we minimize risk?
Reducing the road toll
IMPROVING DRIVING SKILLS Although the nationwide lockdown
resulted in a lower road toll, it was
TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE only down slightly. How can we make
New Zealand roads safer for those
KIWI TRUCK DESIGNER who use them?
RTANZ NEWS 1
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Principal Road Transport Associa1on NZ Inc. Sponsor
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RTANZ NEWS 2
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Contents
PAGE 4
From the Chief Operating Officer
Simon Carson reflects on the challenges of 2020 and gears up for the year ahead.
PAGE 6
Reducing the road toll
The road toll was down in 2020 but only slightly. How can we make roads safer?
PAGE 13-16
Transmission Gully motoring on
We check on progress on the SH1 link connecting Wellington and the lower North
Island.
PAGE 19
Kiwi’s dream job
New Zealander Hamish Bennett is in charge of truck design for Swedish manufacturer
Scania.
PAGE 27
Around the regions
RTANZ Senior Industry Advisors round up news and developments from around New
Zealand.
Events Contact Us
Website: rtanz.co.nz
February 22-28: Truck Driver Appreciation 0800 367 782
Week
Chief Operating Officer: Simon Carson,
scarson@rtanz.co.nz, 027 55 66 099
May 7-8 May: Eworld Expo, Trusts Arena,
Auckland. Editor: David Killick, Communications Manager,
dkillick@rtanz.co.nz, 027 55 44 272
Administration: Victoria Higgs,
June 26: Region 4 Seminar, Mackenzie admin@rtanz.co.nz, 027 365 2075
Country Hotel, Twizel. Membership Benefits Coordinator: Vicki Harris,
vharris@rtanz.co.nz, 027 534 3848
August 27-28: RTANZ Region Three AGM, We welcome contributions and feedback for this
Wairakei Resort. magazine.
RTANZ NEWS 3
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Chief Operating Officer
New staff, new optimism for new year
By Simon Carson
Many of you will have noted change at your
Association. In recent times, we have seen the
departure of the Region 2 and 5 Area Executives,
and a process initiated to replace RTA staff in
these areas. I am pleased to announce that new
appointments have been made for 2021 in both
regions for members.
In Region 5, Lisa Shaw started with us on
January 11 in the capacity of Senior Industry
Advisor. This title replaces the old Area
Executive title and is a truer representation of the
job Lisa and the other RTA field staff do. Lisa will
be based in Invercargill and her geographical
area will be from Southland and Dunedin north to
Ashburton in Mid Canterbury.
It’s likely many of you will know Lisa, who has
A
s we all settle back into our businesses, I been in the transport industry, or has held related
would like to take this opportunity to wish roles, for much of her working career. Lisa’s
each of you a happy, safe, and productive portfolio includes, most recently, her group
new year. 2020 is a year that dealt us its fair training management role at Alliance Group,
share of challenges, the likes of which, hopefully, MITO learning designer Commercial Road
we won’t ever see again. COVID hasn’t been Transport, tertiary education in ITP and ITO
eradicated in NZ, but in its current vocational training roles, as well
form it seems to be managed to as project and marketing
avoid a recurrence, which has sent “2020 is a year that management roles. She has also
other countries into further dealt us its fair share worked in freelance
communication and has been
lockdown. Either way, the COVID
experience has had a significant
of challenges, the involved at different levels with a
effect on all parts of the supply likes of which, number of industry projects,
chain. hopefully, we won’t including RTF projects and other
Once again, we have seen the governance roles.
ever see again.”
media get stuck into the trucking In Region 2, I can finally
industry after announcements were confirm the appointment of
made that the vessel Constantinos P
Simon Vincent, who will start with us early
was being diverted to Northport with its 1,300
containers. It was then the industry’s job to move February as a Senior Industry Advisor.
those containers to Auckland and further south, Simon has owned and operated the Truck
with upwards of 700 trucks travelling this route to Journal industry magazine and has been Timaru-
get the job done. based for most of his working career. His
Media cast a gloomy picture, stating that 11 knowledge of the transport industry and its
of 534 trucks inspected were taken off the road. people is extensive, and undoubtedly will be an
They do not give facts, nor do they focus on the asset to RTANZ and its members in Region 2.
majority of the vehicles that carried out the task Simon is in the process of moving to the
with professionalism, compliance, and efficiency. Waikato/ Bay of Plenty region to be closer to his
Still, the few pink-stickered vehicles don’t help family who are now based in the North Island.
our cause when it comes to public industry More to come on Simon, with a confirmed
perception.
RTANZ NEWS 4
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
start date to be included in the next newsletter.
Lastly, Yvonne Stephens has joined us full
time from January 2021. Yvonne was employed
as a temp in the third quarter of 2020 to work on
our CRM project and has proven herself to be a
capable and valuable member of the RTANZ
team. Her role is largely administrative, however
she has expertise in health and safety, policies
and procedures, and Information Technology.
Yvonne will be the lady on the end of the phone
when you call head office .so please feel free to
say “hi”.
I’d like to welcome all three of our new staff,
and also recognise the work the entire team has
done in 2020 to progress the Association
through change to represent a quality value
proposition for members.
We will bring you more on all three new staff
members, with full profiles in the February
newsletter.
• Call Simon Carson on 027 55 66 099,
0800 367 782, or email scarson@rtanz.co.nz.
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RTANZ NEWS 5
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Cover story
Reducing the road toll an ongoing battle
By David Killick
N
ew Zealand’s road toll
of 320 for 2020 was
down on the previous
year—but only slightly, by 32.
The biggest fall, not
surprisingly, occurred during
the national lockdown period
from the end of March to the
middle of May, when far
fewer people were killed and
injured on the nation’s roads.
During the holiday period,
from Christmas Eve 2020 to
January 5, 2021, 11 people
were killed on New Zealand
roads, compared with four in
the same period last year.
So, who is to blame?
It wasn’t foreign tourists
driving badly; there weren’t
any. It was all Kiwis killing
and maiming each other on New Zealand’s road toll has prompted a call for better driving skills.
our roads.
Truck drivers weren’t to Zealand’s road toll through various measures,
blame. Although car occupants tend to come off such as putting in more median and side
worse in a crash with a truck—you can’t beat barriers, as well as reducing speed limits in
the laws of physics—truck drivers are mostly some areas. These measures are likely to have
highly responsible professional drivers. During limited success but are no substitute for building
the lockdown, trucks were just about the only more modern highways.
vehicles on the roads, carrying “The road network is the
essential supplies to keep New trucking industry’s primary place
Zealand’s economy ticking. As “As soon as the of work and as such, the sector
soon as the lockdown was lifted, lockdown was lifted, is committed to improving road
deaths on our roads surged the number of deaths safety,” says Road Transport
once more. Forum CEO Nick Leggett. “But
Roads often get blamed. New
on our roads surged
we believe there are some
Zealand has some extremely once more.” serious flaws with Road to Zero,
challenging terrain, and poorly not the least an impossible
maintained and designed roads target that will just turn the public
can contribute to road deaths and crashes. This off…
is also true internationally, with fewer deaths as “We believe there is not enough focus on
a percentage of vehicle movements occurring driver behaviour and distractions, which are the
on motorways, freeways, and autobahns, than main causes of accidents.
on other highways. There is no doubt that better “Changing driver behaviour is a long-term
roads would help reduce the road toll. game and relies on an in-depth look at what’s
The Road to Zero safety strategy, unveiled by going wrong on the roads, licencing, and
the last Labour-led government with strong
ongoing driver education.”
backing from the Greens, aims to cut New
RTANZ NEWS 6
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
AutoSense ambassador and Kiwi racing Holiday periods, including Christmas and
champion Greg Murphy says it’s too easy to get New Year, are among the most dangerous times
a driving licence in New Zealand and better to be on the road, when emergency services
driving skills are needed. have to deal with some horrific crashes. The
Darren Cottingham, founder of DT Driver cost, not just economically but in terms of the
Training, agrees. He argues that other countries community and families, cannot be
have far worse roads than New Zealand—it’s underestimated: When someone is killed or
how drivers handle them that makes the
seriously injured in a road crash, the
difference. In this issue of Road Transport News,
consequences reverberate, harming many
Darren has some practical tips for professional
others for a very long time to come and putting
drivers on how they can improve their skills.
Having first written on the topic more than 30 ongoing pressure on the health system.
years ago, and having lived in both the UK and RTANZ will continue to bring members more
Germany, I agree, too: Kiwi car drivers compare reports about road safety, new regulations, and
badly. technology throughout the coming year.
Yes, Germany has Autobahns where you can
still drive as fast as you like on some routes (not Stay safe out there!
trucks, though), but these are well-designed
super smooth highways with at least three lanes
in each direction.
Britain, too, has an excellent motorway
network, but both countries also have much
smaller and quieter country roads, some with
hedgerows and little or no shoulder. There, and
in Germany, drivers are much slower and very
careful, practicing courtesy to other road users.
No wonder their road toll, as a percentage of
population, remains much lower than New
Zealand’s.
Attitude makes a big difference. Aggression
and impatience, lack of courtesy, or even
following basic road rules (keeping left, #####################################
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RTANZ NEWS 7
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Technology
Marc Smith, from TIL Logistics, uses Guardian in the cab to help stay safe on the road.
Guardian helps keep Kiwis safer on the road
A
utoSense NZ offers safety solutions for and assessments, and simulation and virtual
heavy and light vehicle commercial reality training. We know that Guardian works,
fleets through online driver training because we’ve seen the evidence firsthand.”
modules, in-cab simulator training, and real- The installation of Guardian into New
time management of fatigue and distraction, Zealand fleets has steadily increased over the
using Guardian by Seeing Machines past couple of years, with AutoSense targeting
technology. 100 installations monthly. Key
AutoSense began transport brands within New
distributing Guardian in 2015 “Our vision is to help Zealand and Australia have
and with exclusive make New Zealand installed Guardian into their
distribution rights in New roads safer.” fleets, including Mainfreight,
Zealand, AutoSense has built NZ Post, Hancock Forest
up a steady pipeline of clients —Charles Dawson, AutoSense CEO Management, Linfox, Z
installing Guardian into their Energy, and more recently,
fleets, hitting the 3,000 TIL Logistics.
milestone of Guardian units installed across the “Safety is one of our key values at TIL and
country in November 2020. one we are very focused on continuing to
“Our vision is to help make New Zealand improve and adapt in our culture,” says Alan
roads safer and Guardian fits perfectly with this Pearson, CEO of TIL Group. “Guardian is a key
as a way to prevent and manage dangerous technology that is helping to keep our drivers
driving events on the road, helping to keep all safe, and we wouldn’t be without it.”
road users safer,” says AutoSense CEO, Dawson puts the steady demand for
Charles Dawson. “It nicely complements our Guardian units down to a greater awareness
online learning modules, in-vehicle coaching from transport businesses on the level of
RTANZ NEWS 8
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
fatigue in the transport industry, and also how “We recognize fatigue as a very real issue for
distraction is becoming a key factor in road drivers, and as we care deeply about our people,
accidents. A key focus is educating businesses anything that helps protect them is a no brainer,”
on how the technology can benefit drivers, most says Matt Horan, CEO of Dynes Group. “Having
notably by keeping them safer on the roads, Guardian installed across our fleet was the
which in turn leads to greater benefits for the easiest decision we’ve made in the last 12
business, more generally. months.”
“We have spent a huge amount of time AutoSense has received a Highly
educating transport operators and their drivers Commended in the Fleet Product Safety
on the benefits of the Guardian technology. category in Brake’s Australasian Fleet
Knowing that driver engagement is a big part of Champions Awards.
a business installing the technology, we now “AutoSense has demonstrated a significant
have a dedicated role within our business which commitment to reducing fleet road risk; in
focuses on training and education of Guardian. particular, addressing driver fatigue and
As part of this, we’ve also developed a separate distraction with their customers using Guardian,”
campaign brand to connect directly with drivers, says Caroline Perry, from Brake. “Brake is
called EYESUPNZ. committed to sharing best practice in fleet safety
“We are pleased with how far we have come and recognising companies that are working to
with Guardian, but we are committed to reaching reduce incidents involving vehicles being driven
our next milestone of 4,000 units installed by 30 for work, through our awards. We congratulate
June, 2021,” says Dawson. AutoSense on their highly commended entry at
AutoSense seems well on the way to this year’s awards in recognition of their work.”
achieving this with a contract with Dynes just
• See: www.autosense.co.nz.
being signed to install Guardian across its fleet
of 150 trucks, and Toll NZ also committing to
installing across their fleet of 100.
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RTANZ NEWS 9
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Roads are not dangerous, they are just roads
By Darren Cottingham
A
friend who lives in Dunedin says the trucks on many of them—but calling roads
weather’s never really bad there, it’s how dangerous makes that the excuse for something
competent your clothes are. Similarly, which is effectively a problem with our driving.
roads are never really dangerous, it’s how Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and
competent the drivers are. Roads are just roads various agencies roll out the same message
when driven at an appropriate every year: Slow down. While
speed. this is a valid message, you
To get some context about “Dumbing down our probably rolled your eyes
New Zealand’s roads, try driving driving by imposing hearing it again because the
the North Yungas Road in Bolivia, majority of our roads are fine to
and if you think our driving
80km/h limits all over do 90 to 100km/h. Of course,
standards are bad, try taking a the place won’t fix not for the whole distance of the
taxi in Lima, Peru, or driving a our road toll.” road—the reason we have
large bus through Palermo, Sicily. brakes is for the corners.
If you have low blood pressure, Dumbing down our driving by
either of those will fix you—temporarily at best, imposing 80km/h limits all over the place won’t
permanently at worst. fix our road toll, so let’s go over some less well-
That’s not to say our roads don’t need some known road safety tips for advanced drivers so
work—the general condition is bad for our that we can make the difference:
Sight lines
As you approach a road that joins from the left, move towards the centre line, if possible. This will give
drivers turning from that road better visibility of you. It works best where there are other vehicles
parked on the side of the road and the driver has to nose out of the intersection to see around them.
You can do the opposite for roads joining from the right. Cover the brake if you think the driver can’t
see you.
Aquaplaning: The dark car was overtaking and going too fast for the tyres to disperse the water on the road.
RTANZ NEWS 10Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Standing water
When there’s standing water on the road, don’t drive in the long puddles that sit in the depressions
caused by traffic. Firstly, the deeper water there creates more drag on your tyres, which costs you in
fuel consumption. Secondly, you are much more likely to aquaplane (where your tyres lift off the road
surface and you lose control).
Balance when cornering
Brake before the corner and use a small amount of acceleration through the corner as this keeps your
vehicle much more balanced.
Sun strike
If there’s a long shadow
extending in front of your
vehicle, drivers travelling
towards you will be
experiencing sun strike
and might not see you.
Take care around
intersections because
people are more likely to
pull out in front of you.
Scanning
Scanning is looking
ahead of you (up to 12
seconds) and in your
mirrors frequently. If a Can drivers see you when they have sun strike?
motorbike filtering
through slow traffic
startles you, you’re not scanning your mirrors frequently enough. If you’re panic braking to avoid
running into the back of traffic stopped ahead, you’re not scanning far enough in front of you. If you hit
some gravel on a corner, you weren’t looking where you were going. Good scanning means you see
things happening early on and can react to them in a way that doesn’t cause an issue for other road
users.
Farm gates and building
sites
Farmers and building site
managers are usually good
at ensuring mud does not
remain on the road, but not
always. Look for signs of
cattle movement or heavy
vehicles entering the road
from muddy areas.
Watch for gravel at rural intersections!
RTANZ NEWS 11Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Sugar
Finally, avoid eating sugar while you are driving. The science says that the more sugar you eat, the
slower you think. Plus, you’ll get a sugar crash that will make you feel tired behind the wheel.
To get back to the initial point, a road is generally only dangerous because of the actions of the
drivers on it. There are roads in New Zealand which are riskier than others, but if you are using good
anticipation, forward planning and observation, the chances of your being in a crash are minimal.
There are rare scenarios where the roads themselves could be intrinsically dangerous and they are
related to landslips, flooding and sinkholes, or tar bleed hidden by sunlight shining on a wet road.
However, if you’re scanning and using appropriate speed (i.e. able to stop in the distance of clear road
ahead of you), the chance of an incident is exceptionally low.
All of the tricks above and many more are explained in the online driving courses on
www.drivertraining.co.nz.
• Darren Cottingham is General Manager at DT Driver Training.
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C2 General
RTANZ NEWS 12Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Road Transport Forum
Transmission Gully an impressive asset
By Nick Leggett, Road Transport Forum chief executive
the Wainui Saddle, is 253m above sea level. On
the day we visited it was pretty windy and cold
up there—Wellington summer—and apparently
it can snow in the winter.
A lot of thought has gone into the
environment and road safety, which is good to
see. From a safety perspective, there is a 250
metre long “arrestor bed” on the long
northbound descent from the Wainui Saddle.
This is a gravel-filled ramp next to the road that
can be used to stop a runaway vehicle. It has
been designed to bring heavy vehicles to a halt
in an emergency, such as a brake or gearbox
failure.
The project has included 27 kilometres of
I
stream remediation and 2.5 million native trees
n December, Road Transport Forum board and plants will span the roadside.
member and road freight transport business Massive infrastructure projects, such as this
owner Deborah O’Brien and I toured the road, are vital to New Zealand’s economy,
famous Transmission Gully build. We weren’t particularly as we face ongoing economic ups
disappointed. and downs as a result of COVID-19.
This road will enhance travel As a country that relies on
into and out of the Wellington trade, we need a modern, fast
region with a 27 kilometre “When you drive it road infrastructure—93 per
motorway from Mackays from go to whoa, it is cent of New Zealand’s freight
Crossing to Linden that will be a
key part of the 110km Wellington
apparent what a is delivered by road. We need
a roading network to match the
Northern Corridor (Wellington to massive undertaking
supply chain task that allows
Levin). it has been.” the fast, most efficient, and
This will make a big difference most cost-effective movement
in terms of safety and resilience of imports and exports, and the goods every
for the region once the road opens in New Zealander needs every day.
September. It will be better able to resist and We are seeing growth in road freight
recover from earthquakes and storms than the transport and while there is some romantic
current State Highway 1 coastal road, which will notion that rail freight can replace road, it can’t.
remain as an alternative route. There isn’t the infrastructure, or the market
From the perspective of freight movement, demand. Even when freight is put on a train, it’s
Transmission Gully is long overdue. Truck taken onto and/or off that train by a truck.
drivers will find it easier to access the inter- It’s no secret we want to see more
island ferries and distribution hubs in the area, investment in roads—some are at a critical and
and travel times should reduce. dangerous point of requiring either rebuilding, or
extensive repairs. We will continue to make the
I have been a fairly vocal critic of the time it
evidence-based case for this as a way to power
has taken to complete this project but when you our economy and assist the road transport
drive it from go to whoa, it is apparent what a industry to safely and efficiently fulfill its
massive undertaking it has been. mandate to deliver freight for its customers.
More than 10 million cubic metres of earth To end on a positive note: Transmission Gully
have been moved, which is one of the largest is impressive and we are also thrilled to see the
volumes of earth to be moved on a New Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway
Zealand roading project to date. It has a steep project getting underway, with a sod-turning
incline and the highest point on the motorway, event with the Prime Minister.
RTANZ NEWS 13Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Roads
Checking out progress, from le@: Deborah O’Brien, Region 3 RTF director; Mike Noon, Automobile
Associa1on; Sandy Walker, RTANZ; Nick LeggeN, RTF CEO; and a Waka Kotahi NZTA roading engineer.
Transmission Gully drive over impresses
Waka Kotahi NZTA took Area Executive Sandy Walker for a drive through Transmission
Gully in early December to check progress. Here’s his report.
I
t would be fair to say that driving past the few Transmission Gully—Facts and figures
viewpoints you can see from SH1 that you
think there is nothing going on and no wonder Lenders: Seven banks involved
it is taking so long. Well, let me assure you that Contractors: PPP Agreement—three
once you are at one end and drive to the other contractors
(27km), you will have a different perspective.
This is one massive piece of work where 60m 25-year maintenance/operations sub-
banks have been cut away, with the dirt having contractor: Ventia
to go somewhere—10 million cu m of it, with 3 Cost: $1.25 billion
million cu m not being suitable for reuse and
Length: 27 km
some stock piles having to be moved three
times as the road progresses due to Height: At the highest point 253m
construction restraints (and nowhere to put it above sea level
without upsetting the snails!).
Earthworks: 10 million cu m (would fill
Drone footage is available online here.
Westpac stadium three times), 3 million
I was asked by a Waka Kotahi NZTA official
cu m unusable
what I thought of the project and I said it’s a bit
like watching a rugby match really—at home Drilling: 43 km of rock-bolts and
you get all the comforts, a screen to yourself, a drainage tubes (same length as
fridge nearby, and a loo just up the hall, but Wellington CBD to Paekakariki)
there is nothing like being there to see it for Opening date: September 17, 2021
yourself and take in the atmosphere.
RTANZ NEWS 14Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
TOP: The view you can see
going in from the Paekakariki
end of State Highway 1.
LEFT: One of the many views
where construction is beyond
the line of site.
BELOW: Many cuts with
well-formed batterns.
Drainage pipe length is the
same as the distance from
Wellington CBD’s to
Paekakariki.
RTANZ NEWS 15Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021 ABOVE: Road and machinery as far as the eye can see. RIGHT: Another near completed section. BELOW: The last bridge to go in: The view from the Kenepuru overbridge where Transmission Gully meets back up with State Highway 1 at the southern end. RTANZ NEWS 16
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Ask a lawyer
Decision time: Should I stay or should I go?
free to resign and immediately begin work with
the new company.
One of our female drivers has just returned
from holiday and has told us she is pregnant.
We don’t have that many female drivers—
what are our obligations?
Before any of your employees (female or
male) can take parental leave, they need to let
you know in writing at least three months before
their due date that they are intending to do so.
This letter needs to outline the type of leave they
are wanting to take, the date they intend to start
leave, and how long the leave will be for.
As an employer, you are required to:
a) respond to the employee’s request within
I
have been approached by another 21 days, and advise her if she can take parental
transport company to come and work for leave, her main legal rights about when she can
them. They are offering me more money, but start leave, and if her job can be kept open;
I enjoy my current job. What should I do? b) write to her within 21 days of her going on
parental to leave to confirm the date her parental
First, check your employment agreement. It
leave will end, her return date to work, a
is possible that it will contain a restraint of trade/
reminder that if her job is being kept open she
a non-compete clause. If your employment
needs to let you know at least 21 days before
agreement does contain such a clause, it might
the return date if she will return, and the
limit the other companies which you can go and
circumstances in which she can return to work
work for. Generally, an overly
early.
broad restraint of trade clause
In general, if she has been
will be difficult to enforce, but “Generally, an overly working for you for 12 months
this does not necessarily mean broad restraint of then she will be entitled to have
that your former employer will
not come after you if you go and trade clause will be you hold her job open for a year,
and will get parental leave
work for a competing company. difficult to enforce.”
payments from the government
Since you are enjoying your
for six months of that. The
current job but are tempted by
remainder of her leave beyond six months would
the lure of a bigger pay packet (like most
then be unpaid.
people), then you could look to renegotiate your
wages with your current employer, by using the There is an obligation for employers to keep
new job offer and the offer of higher wages, as a employees’ jobs open, unless their job is
bartering chip. defined as a “key position”, or if there is a
If an attempt to renegotiate your wages with redundancy situation. A key position is generally
your current employer does not work, you could a role which needs special skills, or which would
request that your old employer waives the take too long to train or find someone on a
restraint of trade clause to enable you to go and temporary basis. A driver is unlikely to fit into
work for the competing company. Your current this category so you would need to keep her role
employer does not have to agree to this, but open. The most straightforward way to fill her
they might. role while she is on parental leave is to hire a
If your employment agreement does not replacement on a fixed-term basis.
contain a restraint of trade clause, then you are
RTANZ NEWS 17Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
An employee just told us that he lost his the employee during the process is by swearing
driver’s licence for drink driving over the an affidavit in support of the application.
weekend—do we have to fire him because he Keep in mind that there might be a 28 day
cannot drive? He’s a good worker. “stand down” period between when the
employee was disqualified from driving and
Generally, if an employee lost their licence, when the court will hear his application. You will
which they are required to have in order to need to ensure that you have accurate shift
perform their work, that would likely justify cover in place during that time, if you are going
dismissal (following a fair process). However, to support his application and retain him as an
you have said that he is a good worker, and employee. If you do not have alternative duties
perhaps the business wants to retain him as an for the employee to perform (that do not involve
employee. driving) during that period, you may need to
If this is the case, the employee can apply for discuss with the employee taking leave for that
a limited licence. A limited licence allows an period.
individual to drive subject to conditions (e.g. for
work purposes, between certain hours on • If you are a member of RTANZ and have an
certain days or specified vehicles). To do this, he
employment or health and safety related
will need to apply to the court for an order that
question, please submit it to Amanda Douglas
authorises him to get a limited licence through
Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. at Wynn Williams:
Generally, this is a very stressful time for an amanda.douglas@wynnwilliams.co.nz with the
employee, and one way which you can support subject line: RTANZ Ask a Lawyer.
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RTANZ NEWS 18Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Feature
Kiwi relishes ‘dream’ role at Scania in Sweden
L
ike lots of Kiwi kids, Hamish
Bennett has fond memories of
making brrm brrrm engine noises
while playing with trucks in the sandpit.
Unlike lots of other kids though, Hamish
had a fairly good inkling his fascination
with trucks wasn’t just a phase.
He was right. This Kiwi is currently in
Sweden in charge of a team shaping the
future of truck design and development
for one of the world’s leading truck
manufacturers—Scania.
Hamish says his father, Maurice
Bennett, who worked for Keith Andrew
Motors (a Fuso distributor/dealer), was
always a role model. “I was certainly into
trucks as a young fella, but I probably
didn’t think I’d graduate from the
sandpits of Huntly and Hamilton to go on
to play a role—in some capacity—in
every new Scania truck design for the
last 20 years.”
In between those sandpits and
Stockholm—his current domicile at
Scania HQ—Hamish managed to
squeeze in an engineering and
commerce degree from Auckland
University where he was awarded a
“dream” three-month scholarship to
attend Scania’s product development
team in vehicle dynamics. Top Kiwi truck designer Hamish Bennett at Scania HQ in
Unlike his earlier sandpit intuition, Sweden with his favourite truck design, the Scania 770 S-line.
though, he didn’t know those three
months would turn into a 20-year career
in Sweden with Scania. Hamish says the results of some of his more
Two offers would ultimately determine his recent work (typical development projects span
Swedish fate: the first, a three- three to five years) is set to hit New Zealand
year offer from Scania at the roads soon.
“Like the just-launched in
end of his scholarship, followed “Responsibilities have Europe, new V8 engine range
a little later by his own offer of
marriage to his Swedish
included R&D, that doesn’t only feature a
girlfriend. customer demand, and record level of power but
There have been plenty of vehicle technology.” vastly improved fuel
highlights since: From “living his efficiency, too. Total fuel
dream” of vehicle testing savings can reach up to six
prototype, state-of-the art trucks around race per cent or more—
tracks, Hamish’s role morphed into product representing a massive difference, both for
strategy and design for the international operators and the climate.”
trucking giant. Hamish’s all-time personal favourite Scania
His responsibilities have included R&D, truck just happens to sit at the very top of this
customer demand, and vehicle technology. latest V8 range—the Scania 770 S-line.
RTANZ NEWS 19Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
“It’s the most powerful, factory-built truck was here as part of his OE, but there’s been no
engine in production today,” he says proudly. other Kiwis at all since then. Just Aussies—
Future, electrified transports are also at the top which helps with the banter during rugby
of Scania’s agenda, and Hamish also had a season…depending on results.”
hand in the company’s new E-range that’s Speaking of results, Hamish knows he’s
rolling out in Europe this year, with work also achieved a big one in securing his “dream
underway to get them out to New Zealand as career” at Scania.
soon as possible. He misses New Zealand’s climate, nature
“New Zealand might be a small market on and beaches, but above all he misses his family
the global scale for Scania, but it is a very and friends. However, he knows that with his
important one,” Hamish says. well-established life in Scandinavia, this Kiwi in
“It’s quite cool that I also get to hear on a Sweden won’t be home to stay—or play in our
regular basis—all the way over here at Scania sandpits—any time soon.
HQ—about the impressive journey Scania New But some things will never change. He still
Zealand is on. I know Scania HQ has made catches himself going brrm brrm every now and
significant long-term investments there to grow then—at work.
our relationships with Kiwi customers even
further and develop additional business
opportunities.”
Hamish likes to think of the result of his
efforts being enjoyed in New Zealand, because
he hasn’t had many other Kiwi connections at all
during his time at Scania.
“I remember, soon after I arrived, around
2001, bumping into a Maori guy who was
working as a mechanic at Scania HQ. I think he
RTANZ NEWS 20Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Essential information for members
The Road Transport Forum (RTF) is the central for non-members. To purchase, please email
point of communication for the road freight forum@rtf.nz or call (04) 472 3877.
transport industry. Visit the RTF website here to
COVID-19
keep up to date on media releases, Nick’s blog,
submissions, and advisories. WorkSafe signed off road freight transport
specific guidance and protocols developed by
General information the RTF to help businesses be safe during the
The COVID-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/ COVID-19 alert levels. These remain best
has general information including Government practice at this time.
support available to businesses. WorkSafe—COVID-19 safety plan
2019 Operator Cost Comparison Report— WorkSafe has developed a template to help
how to get your copy develop a COVID-19 safety plan, which you can
The latest operator cost comparison report is find here.
now available for purchase from RTF. The report
presents the results of a confidential cost survey
of trucking businesses across New Zealand
conducted for the RTF by the New Zealand
Institute for Business Research (NZIBR),
University of Waikato.
The latest survey covers the financial year of
2019. The cost of copies of the report are:
A division
$250+GST of L&F Limited
for members of RTF and $400+GST speirsfinance.co.nz
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RTANZ NEWS 21Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Membership benefits
Allied Petroleum’s upgraded fuel stop in Gore can be accessed directly from SH1.
Allied opens upgraded fuel stop in Gore
A
llied Petroleum has recently opened an cards accepted, including Mobilcard at the
upgraded fuel stop in Gore, located at 36 payment terminal.
Charton Lane—now with access directly Alongside this development, Allied continues
from SH1. to invest in forecourts, designed for heavy
With a full offering of diesel, 91 and 95 vehicles travelling through provincial New
unleaded petrol, and DEF (diesel exhaust fluid), Zealand. Recently, a fuel stop opened in
this location provides high-flow dispensers for Maramarua, well located on SH2 between
transport operators, while light vehicles are Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.
welcomed on a separate forecourt. Work is nearing completion on a new site in
The unmanned forecourt is operational 24 Gisborne (set for an opening in 2021), furthering
hours a day, seven days a week, with many the company’s reach on the East Coast.
RTANZ NEWS 22Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Technology
Make this the year you banish the diary!
S
tart 2021 on the right foot and
banish the diary, with
innovative transport
management software MyTrucking.
MyTrucking is a simple and
practical transport management
program, replicating the tried and
true diary system, online. Features
include the customer portal, app,
and enterprise add-on.
Murray “Hogget” Maslin, from
Switzers Valley Transport, in
Southland, was sceptical about
moving to a technology solution at
first, but says he needn’t have
worried.
“I’m not super computer savvy
and was worried it might be beyond
me. It’s been a lot easier than I
thought it would be, and definitely
much better—I’ve thrown away my
diary!”
Murray’s favourite MyTrucking
feature is being able to input jobs
and send them off to the trucks, no Murray “Hogget” Maslin, from Switzers Valley Transport, is
explaining himself over the phone. “I delighted with the MyTrucking program.
admit to being the worst writer in the
world and the drivers used to have
trouble. Now I send the work to the guys the anytime, anywhere. This feature creates even
night before and they have it clear as anything on greater efficiencies, saving time and money,
their phone.” further reducing mistakes, and freeing you up to
That’s where the MyTrucking driver’s app get on with what you do best—transporting.
comes in. Anywhere your phone is, MyTrucking The MyTrucking user is still in complete
is, too. control, and chooses who has access to the
Simple to set up, the app is Customer Portal.
compatible with Apple and The portal is quite simple. When
Android devices. It works “Anywhere your phone customers submit a job request,
when out of network range is, MyTrucking is, too.” it appears in a new “review job
and will auto-sync when requests” page in MyTrucking.
connectivity is re-established. You choose to review, accept, or
The app means dispatchers decline jobs. You can even pass
are immediately notified of any changes and it a note back to your customer, all without leaving
has the ability to capture times, weights, images, MyTrucking.
Proof Of Delivery (POD), GPS co-ordinates, and Once a job is accepted, it will simply appear
more. in your daysheet just like any other job, waiting to
MyTrucking’s Customer Portal also makes it be assigned a driver and vehicle.
even easier for your customers to do business Key benefits include having customers enter
with you. jobs for you, saving time on data entry. Mistakes
An online booking system, the portal enables are reduced, there’s no double handling, and
your customers to submit job requests to you, you’ll never miss or lose a job request.
RTANZ NEWS 23Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Pana Sharma, of Auckland-based VT “My business has grown hugely, there is
Transport Ltd, says the Customer Portal has plenty of work available, and now we are
been a welcome addition. running MyTrucking we can confidently take on
“The next step all our customers were the work knowing we can manage it all easily. It
screaming for was the Customer Portal, which would have taken many more staff to cope with
MyTrucking has delivered. It looks really good. the increased workload.”
I’ve got my two main customers on it, and they So, start 2021 on the right foot. Hit the road
are loving it. and lighten your load—workload that is –with
“Having photos and signed copies of POD MyTrucking’s multitude of great features that will
available straight away after a job is done is help save you time and money.
fantastic. I also like the idea of being able to
choose what you want the customer to see in
the portal.”
For existing customers, there is an optional
enterprise add-on (otherwise known as the
multi-daysheet). This feature gives users the
ability to run daysheets by business units or
locations.
Using the multi-daysheet means you can de-
clutter your daysheet, so that only the relevant
jobs, vehicles, and products are shown at any
given time.
Key benefits include being able to switch
easily between business types (or show
everything), apply the same filter to your
invoicing screens, unlimited types and locations,
and no more multiple diaries.
Tom Allen, managing director of TGR
Transport, says MyTrucking has allowed his
business to grow, without the need to take on
more staff.
“The time saving has been massive and it
has really helped with cash flow, and we are so
much more organised now.
RTANZ NEWS 24Road Transport Association NZ Inc. January 2021
Health & Safety
‘She’ll be burnt, mate!’—a timely warning
By Claire Arneson, HR Adviser, SBS
I
recently
observed an
interesting health
and safety related
interaction
between two Kiwi
blokes on a
worksite. One was
operating a very loud electric
sander and the other, seeing that
hearing protection wasn’t being
used, approached his colleague
with earmuffs and said, “Here,
mate, put these on, you’ve only
got one set of ears!” The bloke
operating the power tool
promptly put on the earmuffs and
carried on working. I was floored New Zealand has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world—
by this scenario as only the week due in part to high UV levels and an outdoors lifestyle.
before, both men had declined
the offer of sunblock lotion to and agriculture, to name two), coupled with
protect themselves on a hot sunny day and had women’s increased tendency to use sunblock
responded with the ever-common Kiwi refrain, as part of a daily beauty routine. Further
“She’ll be right, mate!” research on the topic shows that just five
Why would one take care to protect their incidences of serious sunburns increases the
ears but not their face I wondered? risk of deadly skin cancer by 80 per cent
Sadly, this scenario highlights a worrying (Source: National Health Service, UK).
trend in New Zealand, which is Therefore, slowing skin
among countries with the cancer rates is a matter of
highest prevalence of skin “More New Zealanders preventing sunburns wherever
cancer in the world. It is die from melanoma possible, and adopting
estimated that over 80,000 sunblock as the partner of
Kiwis get non melanoma skin than die on our roads.” outdoor activities from an early
cancer each year and 2,000 age and throughout one’s life.
Kiwis are diagnosed with While we could spend weeks,
melanoma skin cancer each year. To put this even years, examining why these terrible rates
into context, more New Zealanders die from of cancer exist among the Kiwi population, the
melanoma than die on our roads. more important question is: What can we do to
The good news is that most melanomas can change them?
be successfully treated by your doctor. By the It is my opinion that the skin cancer
way, it’s not completely our fault: The ozone conundrum will eventually be tackled as part of
damage has been thought to increase UV ray NZ Health & Safety at Work legislation, and
strength by 40 per cent in New Zealand employers will be required to consider and
compared with areas that do not have ozone address harmful UV rays as a they would any
damage. workplace hazard. Some leading employers are
Among New Zealanders, men get skin already doing this and distribute UV protective
cancer more frequently than women, and it is clothing and sunblock to their workforce, but
thought that this is due to the higher rates of unfortunately this is not yet the norm in New
men working in outdoor vocations (construction Zealand workplaces.
RTANZ NEWS 25You can also read
