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 New Zealand's largest vehicle inspection company and the country's largest employer of automotive technicians. Founded in 1994 as a State-Owned Enterprise, VTNZ was privatised in 1999 when it was sold to the Motor Trade Association (MTA) for NZ$19.2 million. In 2013, German testing and certification giant DEKRA SE acquired a 60% stake for NZ$36 million, creating a joint ownership structure that combines DEKRA's global expertise with MTA's deep roots in the New Zealand motor trade. VTNZ conducts over 1.5 million vehicle assessments annually across more than 75 branches nationwide, including Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and Certificate of Fitness (CoF) inspections, vehicle condition assessments, and pre-purchase checks. The company is also the primary provider of practical driver testing services in New Zealand, administering over 200,000 tests per year after assuming all practical driver testing responsibilities nationwide in 2014. As an authorised Waka Kotahi NZTA agent, VTNZ also processes driver licences, vehicle registrations, and Road User Charges (RUC) licence purchases. The company's network spans both islands, serving approximately 30,000 business customers alongside its consumer services. Under the leadership of Country Manager Greg O'Connor, VTNZ continues to expand its service offering while maintaining its core focus on vehicle safety and driver competency. The DEKRA partnership has brought access to global best practices in vehicle inspection, testing, and certification technology.
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 (14 testing stations, ~250 staff).
Completed rebranding of all former On Road branches to the VTNZ brand.
Entered the New Zealand roadside assistance market.
DEKRA SE acquired a 60% stake from MTA for NZ$36 million, establishing the current joint ownership structure.
Assumed all practical driver testing responsibilities nationwide, administering 200,000+ tests per year.
CEO Mike Walsh appointed DEKRA Executive Vice President for Southern Africa and Oceania. Greg O'Connor appointed Country Manager.
Mike Walsh appointed Chair of DEKRA NZ Board, replacing Stan Zurkiewicz. Christoph Nolte and Bill Armour join as Board Directors.
Highbrook driver licensing bribery scandal: five Driver Testing Officers alleged to have accepted cash payments to fraudulently pass driver licence applicants. 322 licences flagged for re-examination; 41% of retested drivers failed. Serious Fraud Office took over the investigation.
Country Manager
Previously General Manager Operations at VTNZ. Led VTNZ through Heavy Brake Rule implementation, vehicle licensing reform, and the introduction of practical driver testing.
DEKRA NZ Board Chair
Led VTNZ for almost 14 years (2004-2018) before becoming DEKRA EVP Asia Pacific. Appointed DEKRA NZ Board Chair in September 2022, replacing Stan Zurkiewicz (DEKRA SE Global CEO).
Board Director
Appointed to the DEKRA NZ Board in September 2022.
Board Director
Appointed to the DEKRA NZ Board in September 2022.
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.
Five Driver Testing Officers at the Highbrook branch in east Auckland were alleged to have accepted cash payments to fraudulently pass practical driver licence applicants, with conduct reportedly stretching back to 2023. 322 licences were flagged for re-examination by Waka Kotahi. Of 230 people who retested by December 2025, 94 (41%) failed - including 60 heavy vehicle (Class 2-5) licence holders. The Serious Fraud Office took over the investigation from NZ Police.
VTNZ's Waiheke Island station used an outdated decelerometer brake test method for 18 months after its roller brake machine broke in March 2017, despite the Brake Protocol stipulating this should only be used for up to two days. An estimated 600 CoF brake tests on heavy vehicles - including school buses and trucks - used 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
4,164,000 total shares
DEKRA NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
4,164,000 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Source: NZ Companies Office · Last checked February 2026
View on Companies RegisterAnalysis of notable corporate and institutional shareholders. Individual shareholders are excluded.
DEKRA NZ (Joint Venture)
DEKRA NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
A Wellington-registered holding entity for VTNZ. DEKRA NZ is itself a joint venture: DEKRA SE (Germany) holds 60% and MTA Group Investments Limited (the Motor Trade Association's investment arm) holds the remaining 40%. This JV structure was established in 2013 when DEKRA acquired its majority position for NZ$36 million, with an unexercised option to acquire the remaining 40%.
DEKRA
DEKRA SE
Traced via researchA Stuttgart-based testing, inspection, and certification organisation - the world's largest non-listed expert organisation in its field. Founded in Berlin in 1925 to improve road safety through systematic vehicle inspections. Operates in 60+ countries with ~49,000 employees, generating EUR 3.8B+ annual revenue. Acquired its 60% stake in VTNZ in 2013 for its first Asia-Pacific vehicle inspection foothold.
DEKRA Association
DEKRA e.V.
Traced via researchA German registered association (eingetragener Verein) that is the ultimate parent of the entire DEKRA group. Founded in 1925 by automobile clubs, dealers, and workshops. As a member-based association, DEKRA has no private shareholders. DEKRA e.V. owns 100% of DEKRA SE. This means VTNZ is ultimately controlled by a German not-for-profit safety association, not private investors.
