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.
Member tool for forecasting operating costs up to 12 months ahead, testing alternative scenarios and tracking vehicle CO₂ output. The updated model can compare conventional and low- or zero-emission vehicle costs.
Infometrics-developed member tool showing how changes in major transport-business costs affect an operator’s particular cost structure.
Calculators and guidance for reflecting fuel-price movements transparently in transport-service pricing.
Converts Cost Model results into customer rates after allowing for expected utilisation and margin.
Business advice, compliance guidance and representation on local and central government transport issues.
Member fuel-card discounts and regular pricing information through NRC’s fuel partners.
Transport insurance services through Marsh McLennan and life-insurance, financial-education and advice services through Super-Advice NZ.
Tyre buying-group pricing through Carters and discounted vehicle hire through Budget.
Discounted One NZ communications plans and managed IT procurement and support through Cyclone.
Access to Road Ninja’s web-based commercial-driver recruitment service.
Transport-focused legal services through Fortune Manning and access to accounting and business-advisory services.
Counselling and employee-assistance services through Vitae.
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.
NRC opposed calls for operators to stop paying RUC and also opposed a RUC discount during a period of fuel-price pressure. It said RUC supports the National Land Transport Fund and that reducing the revenue would either constrain the transport programme or increase Crown borrowing while road and bridge maintenance remained in arrears.
Chief Executive Officer
Joined NRC in August 2022. Previously Executive Director of the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand and held senior telecommunications roles.
GM Policy & Advocacy
Returned to NRC in 2021 and leads work on transport policy and regulatory settings.
Chief Operating Officer
Leads NRC’s member growth and value programme and has experience in product, marketing and partnership strategy.
Board Chair
Northland log-transport operator and NRC board member since 2019.
Deputy Chair
Joined the board in 2021 and is associated with Orion Group in Morrinsville.
Immediate Past Chair
A Foodstuffs-contracted owner-driver who remained on the board after completing his term as chair in 2024.
Board Member
Joined the board in 2021 and operates Burnetts Transport in West Auckland.
Board Member
Board Member
Works with family transport business L.W. Bonney & Sons and has a corporate communications background.
Board Member
Northern Rural Haulage dispatcher and manager; elected to the board in 2025.
Board Member
Logistics and distribution manager at Marlin Transport; elected after participating in NRC’s board-secondee programme.
Board Member
Chartered Accountant and Chief Financial Officer of Carr & Haslam Transport; joined the board in 2025 after serving as a secondee.
NRC represents road-freight operators that pay road user charges and is an active participant in RUC and transport-funding policy. It supports moving the full vehicle fleet from fuel excise duty to an electronic RUC system, subject to stronger accountability for road funding. During 2025-26 it also addressed the end of the heavy-electric-vehicle exemption, rejected calls for operators to withhold RUC or receive a general discount, and sought safeguards where tolls and RUC affect the same freight movements.
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
