Supporting those who choose to make a living in the road transport industry.
National Road Carriers (NRC) is New Zealand's leading road transport industry association, founded on 5 October 1936 when twenty-nine owner-carriers gathered at the Trades Hall in Hobson Street, Auckland, to form an association for small operators struggling to compete with the dominant Master Carriers. Today NRC represents approximately 1,500 member companies who collectively operate around 16,000 trucks throughout New Zealand, ranging from single-truck owner-drivers and courier vans to large fleet operators transporting everything from fresh fruit to LPG. Road freight delivers 93% of all goods in New Zealand. Headquartered at 326 Church Street, Penrose, Auckland, NRC provides expert business support, policy advocacy, compliance guidance, and cost-saving member benefits while advocating at local, regional, and national government levels. In October 2021 NRC and the NZ Trucking Association exited Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand (the former Road Transport Forum), representing 64% of the former body's membership, after reaching an impasse regarding industry association structure. The two associations signed a memorandum of understanding to continue collaborating on shared national advocacy goals while operating independently, and have since collaborated on specific initiatives such as establishing the National Livestock Transport & Safety Council in 2025.
Interactive online tool developed with Infometrics and Statistics NZ, allowing operators to model the impact of cost changes (fuel, labour, tyres, maintenance, RUC, finance) on their specific fleet from 2009 onwards. Updated quarterly.
Predicts annual operating costs up to 12 months ahead for any fleet size, from single vehicles to large operations, enabling members to assess the viability of contracts before committing.
Exclusive fuel purchasing discounts negotiated through NRC's buying group partnerships.
Bespoke insurance packages in partnership with Marsh covering goods in transit, legal liability, electronic devices, and rental/lease vehicles under a single policy.
Partnership with Super-Advice NZ to build tailored employee insurance packages that help members attract and retain staff.
Exclusive buying group providing competitive pricing on tyres across Carters' nationwide network.
Competitive discounts on trucks, vans, utes, and cars through Budget vehicle hire.
Unlimited free business advice and compliance guidance on transport regulations, employment law, and workplace issues for all members.
Free tool helping heavy freight companies understand decarbonisation options, with emissions data and total cost of ownership analysis for alternative fuel vehicles.
Submissions to select committees, participation in government working groups, and advocacy on RUC, land transport funding, roading infrastructure, and regulatory reform.
Twenty-nine owner-carriers form the National Road Carriers Association at the Trades Hall, Hobson Street, Auckland, to represent small operators excluded from the Master Carriers' benefits.
Road transport industry deregulated in New Zealand, removing licensing restrictions on entry and route - NRC adapts its role to focus on member services and advocacy in a competitive market.
NRC becomes a founding member of the Road Transport Forum New Zealand, the peak national industry body bringing together regional associations.
NRC opposes the Government's 5.3% RUC increase during the COVID-19 lockdown, calling it 'a kick in the guts' to the industry that kept the country moving, and launches a petition attracting 8,000 signatures in 24 hours.
NRC and the NZ Trucking Association exit Transporting New Zealand (ex Road Transport Forum), representing 64% of the former body's membership, over disagreements about centralisation. MOU signed to continue cooperation on national issues.
Justin Tighe-Umbers appointed CEO, joining from the Board of Airlines Representatives NZ (BARNZ).
NRC launches the Customisable Cost Index, an interactive tool developed with Infometrics, allowing operators to model cost impacts specific to their fleet.
Ian Newey (Northland log truck operator) appointed board chair; NRC welcomes a diverse new generation of board members.
NRC supports the Government's move to a single RUC-based revenue collection system for the National Land Transport Fund, calling it a 'unique opportunity' to transition the entire vehicle fleet onto one platform.
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed August 2022. Previously Executive Director at Board of Airlines Representatives NZ (BARNZ) where he navigated the Marsden Point fuel pipeline crisis and COVID-19 border closures. Spent 13 years in telecommunications including 8 years at Chorus NZ Ltd in senior regulatory, operational, and commercial roles.
Chief Policy Officer / GM Policy & Advocacy
Leads NRC's government submissions, select committee appearances, and regulatory engagement on RUC and transport policy.
Chief Operating Officer
Background in marketing and communications. Previously at Trade Me and ANZ.
Board Chair
Owner of IK & SM Newey Transport in Northland, operating 35 log trucks. Joined the NRC board in 2019, in the transport industry since age 16.
Deputy Chair
Waikato-based, of Orion Group.
Board Member (Owner-Driver Representative)
West Auckland-based, Burnett's Transport.
Immediate Past Chair
Owner of Baillie Transport, specialising in FMCG transport contracted to Foodstuffs North Island. Oversaw the hiring of Justin Tighe-Umbers as CEO.
Board Member (Life Member)
Board member since 1974, President 1997-2000. Of L.W. Bonney & Sons. Received MNZM in 2018 for services to transport and motorsport. Over 40 years of industry advocacy. NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame inductee.
NRC is one of the most active industry voices on road user charges policy in New Zealand. The association represents thousands of RUC-paying heavy vehicle operators and advocates for a fair, transparent, and cost-reflective charging system. NRC's General Manager of Policy & Advocacy appears regularly before the Transport & Infrastructure Select Committee on RUC-related legislation. In 2020 NRC led opposition to a mid-pandemic RUC increase, and in 2025 the association backed the Government's proposal to transition all vehicles to a single RUC-based revenue system for the National Land Transport Fund.
NRC led a high-profile campaign against the Government's planned 5.3% RUC increase on 1 July 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown. CEO David Aitken called it 'a kick in the guts to the trucking industry that kept the country moving during lockdown.' A petition to Parliament gained over 8,000 signatures within 24 hours.
In October 2021, NRC and NZ Trucking Association exited Transporting New Zealand (the former Road Transport Forum), representing 64% of its membership. The departure followed an impasse regarding industry association structure, with NRC citing concerns that a centralised Wellington-based structure would dilute grassroots service delivery.
CEO Justin Tighe-Umbers was a prominent media voice criticising Ports of Auckland's 77% increase in truck access charges, calling it 'classic monopoly behaviour - who else can raise prices 77 percent?' The campaign highlighted concerns about strategic supply chain infrastructure pricing.
NZ Incorporated Society
1936
326 Church Street, Penrose, Auckland, 1061, New Zealand
Source: NZ Companies Office · Last checked February 2026
