The Government’s new Action Plan for Freight and Freight Advisory Council and updated National Freight Demand Study will strengthen supply chain resilience says National Road Carriers Association (NRC) CEO Justin Tighe-Umbers.

“NRC has strongly advocated for a research and data-based plan to better meet the country’s current and future supply chain along with structured collaboration with the freight sector to ensure the plan is informed by the practical expertise of the people who work in it.

“Transport Minister Chris Bishop has listened to our call and we could hardly have asked for a better response than the three initiatives he has announced today: the Action Plan for Freight, an updated National Freight Demand Study and a Freight Advisory Council.

“These are exciting and much needed developments designed to maximise freight and supply chain productivity.  It is especially pleasing to see the importance of freight data insights and commercial vehicle safety being brought to the front and centre.

“Minister Bishop has increasingly signalled the importance of freight and supply chain for the growth of the New Zealand economy. Setting up the Freight Council will now enable seasoned leaders from across the transport modes to work with government to get New Zealand’s supply chain humming.”

Tighe-Umbers says establishing a Freight Council is particularly encouraging for our manufacturers and exporters. “As an exporting nation that depends on imports, New Zealand is at the end of the world’s supply chains. Ensuring our domestic and international supply chains operate well is essential for our global competitiveness and sustained economic growth.”

“A joint approach using freight data insights is essential to tackle the complex and evolving challenges that New Zealand’s freight and logistics sector face. Collaboration between industry and government is the only way to deliver commercially competitive, robust, adaptable New Zealand made products to the world.”