Former National Party leader Simon Bridges will chair the newly formed National Road Carriers Transport and Logistics Advisory Group.

National Road Carriers chair John Baillie said the advisory group has been created with the purpose of having a platform to discuss some of the industry’s most challenging issues.

“Simon brings significant business, economic and transport experience to the role having been both the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Economic Development,” said Baillie.

“His knowledge of the inner workings of Government and his background as a lawyer mean he has the ability to run both a political and business lens over many of the issues the industry is facing.”

Bridges said, “Questioning and challenging decision-makers on the direction of transport is going to be critical.

“Managing climate change is important, and it’s my view the industry is on board with doing its part to reduce emissions. But the view New Zealand can simply move away from road freight to rail and sea is simplistic in terms of how our supply chain and economy works,” he said.

“We need greater investment in New Zealand’s road and wider freight infrastructure. It needs to be a much higher Government priority because without ongoing strong investment New Zealand’s economy will simply grind to a halt.”

Joining Bridges on the advisory group are Jo Wills, Ian Newey and Pamela Bonney.

Wills is co-owner of the Hugo Group, a government relations expert, business strategy advisor, coach, and facilitator, and NRC representatives Newey and Bonney bring a range of industry, governance, and business expertise to the group.

An announcement of a NRC chief executive is expected in the coming weeks. That person will be the fifth member of the advisory group.