Transport Well New Zealand Charitable Trust: A Vision For The Entire Sector

Transport Well New Zealand | Kawe Pai Aotearoa Charitable Trust has been established to improve outcomes across the transport and logistics sector. Transport Well adopts a future-focused, whole-systems approach, offering sector-wide solutions and resources to support operators. Designed to uplift the entire sector, the Trust aims to address critical issues such as safety and well-being while fostering professionalism through improved compliance.

For many years, the New Zealand Trucking Association (NTA) has championed health, safety, and workforce initiatives within the sector through education programmes, events, and community outreach. To ensure the sustainability, neutrality, and long-term impact of these efforts, it was decided that the initiatives would be transitioned to an independent charitable trust. This move safeguards the integrity of these programmes, allowing them to grow free from industry politics, and ensures their governance is inclusive, transparent, and grounded in charitable purpose.

"Creating Transport Well allows us to protect the integrity of important health, safety and well-being initiatives, and ensure they grow sustainably, free from industry politics and focused on what's best for our people." - – David Boyce, CEO, New Zealand Trucking Association, and Transport Well Governance Board Member.

Transport Well provides a neutral, inclusive platform for sector-wide collaboration. To support this vision, independent governance board members are now being sought, bringing diverse expertise to ensure the initiative remains a truly industry-wide effort that is both sustainable and effective.

Driving Positive Industry Change

Transport Well is committed to tackling fundamental challenges such as mental health, driver fatigue, worker competency, fitness for duty, and vehicle safety — key factors that often contribute to high-risk incidents and costly disruptions.

One of the key pillars of Transport Well is the TruckSafe New Zealand Safety Management System, an industry-led initiative aimed at improving the safety and professionalism of heavy vehicle operators nationwide. By raising operational standards, the programme contributes to productivity, business growth, and the overall well-being of New Zealanders. It empowers businesses to innovate and expand while providing employers with clear guidance on creating a strong safety culture and embedding best practices.

TruckSafe has been operating successfully in Australia for over 27 years. Following consultation with industry, a working group has adapted and realigned the successful Australian model to meet New Zealand’s regulatory and compliance environment. TruckSafe New Zealand has now launched and is open for heavy vehicle operators to begin their journey toward TruckSafe certification.

"TruckSafe has proven itself over 27 years in Australia. We've now built a New Zealand-specific programme that supports heavy vehicle operators to strengthen compliance, elevate professionalism, and gain peace of mind that they’re meeting their health and safety obligations and responsibilities," Boyce adds.

With the establishment of the Transport Well Charitable Trust, the transport and logistics sector now has a powerful mechanism to drive meaningful, long-term change. Transport Well is paving the way for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for the transport and logistics sector in New Zealand.

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