Transporting New Zealand’s new board members Murray Young (left) and Scott Johnstone.

Transporting New Zealand has named two new board members following its AGM in Napier.

Scott Johnstone, general manager of Brenics in Christchurch, and Murray Young, general manager from NZ Express Transport, also based in Christchurch, have been welcomed to the board.

“Both Scott and Murray bring a huge amount of experience to our board, and both have a real passion for the transport industry and its people so we’re lucky to have them,” said Transporting NZ interim CEO Dom Kalasih.

“They’re both leaders with proven track records of making the industry more efficient, safer and productive.

“I’d also like to thank our outgoing board members, Peter Heagney of Blenheim, and Lower Hutt’s Deborah O’Brien, who have worked tirelessly for Transporting New Zealand during a major period of change,” he said.

The Napier Seminar, held at the East Pier Hotel, also saw a number of awards made to key industry people for their contribution over their lifetimes, and for more recent innovations.

Josh Adamson, EROAD Young Driver of the Year with Napier MP Katie Nimon and EROAD’s Guy Hocguard.

One of the newest members of the New Zealand driving fleet is Josh Adamson, 22, from Matamata who won the EROAD Young Driver of the Year award.

Josh started off as a wash boy at the J Swap Contractors Matamata depot in 2019, going from washing the trucks and machinery to driving them as he worked his way through his licencses.

Warwick Wilshier, winner of the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to Road Transport.

At the other end of the road transport line is Warwick Wilshier who won the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to Road Transport.

Warwick has had a lifetime in trucking, mainly in the logging sector. His work with the Log Transport Safety Council has been vital in improving the safety of the sector and his leadership has been a model for industry cooperation at all levels. He’s had many key positions within the industry and is currently the chair of Transporting New Zealand.

Greg Cochrane from K&S Freighters, centre, with Guy Hocquard from EROAD and Napier MP Katie Nimon, receiving the award for the EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety.

The winner of the EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety Award went to K & S Freighters of Cambridge for their work with ACC in the Recovery at Work Freight Trial.

“K & S Freighters showed true leadership in working with ACC and staff to get help at each step on the way to full recovery,” Dom Kalasih says.

Antony Jowsey from Coda Group accepting the Fruehauf Outstanding Contribution to Innovation award.

The Fruehauf Outstanding Contribution to Innovation winner was Auckland logistics company Coda Group.

By putting together a suite of safety products to manage fatigue and driver behaviour, Coda Group is ensuring its drivers, and the public, are safer than ever.

Shona Robertson, winner of the TrackIT Logistics Outstanding Contribution by a Woman in the Road Transport Industry Award.

TrackIT Logistics Outstanding Contribution by a Woman in the Road Transport Industry Award went to Shona Robertson, the CEO of Road Transport Logistics based in Tapanui.

Shona oversaw the amalgamation of several South Island companies to create an innovative, progressive organisation with a focus on customer service and sustainability.

Kalasih said seeing the quality of people and the level of innovation coming through in the sector is always impressive.

“Transport operators in New Zealand are really early adopters of smart technologies and work practices, and it’s great to see these keep coming through, and the industry’s quality of leadership is second to none.”