New Zealand's largest vehicle inspection company and largest employer of automotive technicians, operating 75+ branches nationwide as an NZTA agent for WoF, CoF, driver licensing, and RUC services.
Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited (VTNZ) is a nationwide vehicle-inspection and driver-testing business. Founded in 1994 as a State-Owned Enterprise, it was privatised in 1999 when it was sold to the Motor Trade Association (MTA) for NZ$19.2 million. In 2013, DEKRA SE acquired a 60% interest in the holding company now named DEKRA New Zealand Limited. MTA Group Investments Limited retains the other 40%, while DEKRA New Zealand Limited directly owns all shares in VTNZ. VTNZ operates more than 75 branches and a wider network of over 100 locations. Its services include Warrant of Fitness and Certificate of Fitness inspections, vehicle condition and pre-purchase assessments, vehicle licensing, and driver licensing and testing. VTNZ has reported conducting more than 1.5 million vehicle assessments and over 200,000 practical driver tests annually. As an authorised NZTA agent, selected VTNZ locations also process vehicle and driver-licensing transactions and sell Road User Charges licences over the counter. Greg O’Connor, country manager from 2018, left VTNZ at the end of January 2026. A successor was not identified in the public sources reviewed.
Government-mandated safety inspections for light vehicles, conducted at 75+ VTNZ branches across New Zealand. VTNZ is the largest WoF inspection provider in the country.
New Zealand's largest issuer of Certificates of Fitness. CoF A for light passenger service vehicles (taxis, rideshare, shuttles, rental vehicles) and CoF B for heavy vehicles over 3,500 kg (trucks, trailers, buses, motorhomes). Directly relevant to RUC - all heavy vehicles must hold a current CoF to legally operate on purchased RUC distance.
New Zealand's leading entry certification provider with 53 branches. Mandatory compliance inspection for imported vehicles including ownership verification, standards checks, and physical condition assessment. Issues registration application forms (MR2A) and first WoF or CoF.
Authorised NZTA agent for over-the-counter purchase of Road User Charges licences for diesel, electric, and other non-petrol vehicles at VTNZ branches.
Full driver licensing services as an NZTA agent, including practical driver tests. VTNZ administers over 200,000 practical tests annually and is the primary provider nationwide.
Vehicle registration, re-licensing, and change of ownership services as an authorised NZTA agent.
Independent vehicle condition reports for buyers, sellers, and fleet operators.
Detailed vehicle assessments for prospective buyers covering mechanical, structural, and safety aspects.
24/7 roadside assistance service launched in 2010 for VTNZ members, offering breakdown support across New Zealand.
Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited registered on 9 February 1994 (Company Number 605772, NZBN 9429038790102) as a New Zealand State-Owned Enterprise responsible for government-mandated vehicle inspections.
Privatised and sold to the Motor Trade Association (MTA) for NZ$19.2 million.
Rebranded as VTNZ and acquired principal competitor On Road New Zealand, which had 14 testing stations and about 250 staff.
Completed rebranding of the former On Road branches under the VTNZ brand.
Entered the New Zealand roadside-assistance market.
DEKRA SE acquired a 60% interest for NZ$36 million, with MTA retaining 40% through its investment arm.
Assumed nationwide responsibility for practical driver testing under its NZTA agency arrangements.
Mike Walsh moved to a regional DEKRA executive role and Greg O’Connor was appointed VTNZ country manager.
VTNZ announced Mike Walsh as chair of the DEKRA NZ board and Christoph Nolte and Bill Armour as new board members.
VTNZ dismissed five Driver Testing Officers at Highbrook following allegations that payments had been accepted to pass licence applicants. NZTA required 322 licence holders to undergo reassessment, and VTNZ ceased practical driver testing at Highbrook in October 2025. The Serious Fraud Office subsequently began assessing the allegations.
Greg O’Connor left VTNZ at the end of January after nearly 30 years with the business. Grant Woolford became a registered director of VTNZ and DEKRA New Zealand Limited on 1 May.
Director
Current registered director of Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited and DEKRA New Zealand Limited.
Director
Current registered director of Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited and DEKRA New Zealand Limited.
Director
Appointed as a registered director on 1 October 2025.
Director
Appointed as a registered director on 1 May 2026; also a director of MTA Group Investments Limited.
VTNZ is one of the key authorised agents for Waka Kotahi NZTA for the over-the-counter sale of RUC licences. With 75+ branches across New Zealand, VTNZ provides wide geographic coverage for motorists purchasing RUC for diesel, electric, and other non-petrol vehicles. RUC sales are integrated into VTNZ's broader suite of NZTA agent services alongside driver licensing, vehicle registration, and WoF/CoF inspections, making VTNZ branches a one-stop-shop for transport compliance needs.
VTNZ dismissed five Driver Testing Officers at its Highbrook branch after allegations that they had accepted payments to pass practical licence applicants, with the suspected conduct dating from 2023. NZTA initially required 322 licence holders to be reassessed. Ministry of Transport material released in 2026 records that on-road testing was completed for 319 affected people in late 2025. VTNZ ceased practical driver testing at Highbrook in October 2025, while other branch services continued. Police filed their case after initial enquiries, and the Serious Fraud Office was assessing allegations of a similar nature. No SFO charges were identified by 30 July 2026.
VTNZ’s Waiheke Island station used a decelerometer brake test for about 18 months after its roller brake machine broke in March 2017, although the applicable protocol permitted that fallback method for only two days. VTNZ estimated that about 600 Certificate of Fitness brake tests on heavy vehicles were conducted using the inferior method.
605772
9429038790102
NZ Limited Company
9 February 1994
5th Floor, 15 Willeston Street, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
O772020 - Vehicle testing station operation
Kilian Aviles Mosquera
Shanghai, China
Christoph Georg Nolte
Unterensingen, Germany
Sturrock Charles Saunders
Fairhall, New Zealand
Grant John Woolford
Not publicly stated, Not publicly stated
4,164,000 total shares
DEKRA NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
4,164,000 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Source: NZ Companies Office · Last checked July 2026
View on Companies RegisterAnalysis of notable corporate and institutional shareholders. Individual shareholders are excluded.
DEKRA NZ
DEKRA NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
The direct owner of all 4,164,000 shares in Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited. DEKRA New Zealand Limited is a joint venture owned 60% by DEKRA SE and 40% by MTA Group Investments Limited. Its May 2026 annual return retained this ownership split.
DEKRA
DEKRA SE
Traced via researchThe 60% shareholder in DEKRA New Zealand Limited and the registered ultimate holding company of VTNZ. DEKRA was founded in Berlin in 1925. For 2025 it reported revenue of EUR4.4417 billion, 48,155 employees and operations in more than 60 countries.
MGIL
MTA GROUP INVESTMENTS LIMITED
Traced via researchThe 40% shareholder in DEKRA New Zealand Limited and the vehicle through which the Motor Trade Association retains its minority economic interest in VTNZ.
DEKRA Association
DEKRA e.V.
Traced via researchA German registered association that owns DEKRA SE. Through DEKRA SE’s 60% interest in DEKRA New Zealand Limited, the association sits at the top of VTNZ’s controlling ownership chain; MTA retains a 40% minority interest in the New Zealand holding company.
