Road Transport Forum

Extension of emergency powers impacts people and businesses

The world has been living with the Covid-19 pandemic for more than a year now. It’s the new normal, yet the government is extending for another two years its emergency immigration law – the Immigration (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Bill – put in place at the height of the pandemic.

Our industry is not a significant employer of casual migrant workers; we do everything to employ New Zealanders, including developing our own industry driver traineeship.

But we do hire people from other countries who are settled in the community, are valued by their employers (who want to keep them here) and who, before Covid-19 struck, were on their path to New Zealand residency.

Since this bill was put in place, their immigration status has been uncertain. Immigration New Zealand has told them that they will have to give up jobs in our industry and get different ones if they want to progress with their residency applications.

It is concerning because these people have been here several years and the stress and uncertainty are taking a toll.

Emergency powers are only ever intended to be temporary – for the eye of the crisis, as it were. They extend broad sweeping powers designed by just a few politicians, and they are largely beyond scrutiny.

There is no regulatory impact statement, no consultation with external stakeholders, no consideration of unintended consequences, and no economic assessment.

The Road Transport Forum contends that three years – the original amount of time for which this bill was put in place, plus the two-year extension – cannot be considered ‘temporary’. It’s the length of a full parliamentary term.

Extending emergency powers for two years – in effect, being in place for three years – signals to the rest of the world that the New Zealand border is closed for a long time yet.

Not allowing workers into New Zealand, or to stay in New Zealand and/or be joined by their families – other than those who can get special dispensation – for a further two years will be an ongoing restriction for employers who cannot find appropriately skilled workers in the labour market.

We believe the landscape is very different from 12 months ago, and the time for emergency powers has passed. New Zealand needs to be very clear about its Covid-19 recovery strategy, and resuming normal immigration processes must be part of that.

We aren’t the only ones saying a two-year extension to this bill is too long. We believe six months should be enough to knock into shape the policy development we presume has been underway since May 2020 and inform permanent changes that will fix existing immigration laws.

We also want to know what guarantees there will be to ensure this bill is not extended again.

The ‘state of emergency’ that filled the early months of the pandemic response should be well over now – more than one year on – as New Zealand adjusts and plans for recovery and the vaccine rollout provides herd immunity, allegedly by the end of 2021.

As such, reliance on emergency powers should no longer be necessary other than in exceptional circumstances. As the pandemic will be with us for years, there has to be a move back to normality, rather than fostering fear and exclusion for years to come.

We are uncomfortable with a government that wants to pull up the drawbridge, fill the moat, and shut out the world while governing under emergency powers. 

Registrations open for RTF Conference

After a tumultuous 2020 that once again illustrated the strength and adaptability of New Zealand’s road transport sector, the Road Transport Forum looks forward to gathering the industry together to reflect on recent challenges and discuss the opportunities we have to shape New Zealand’s transport future.

Registrations are now open for The Road Ahead 2021 – Transporting New Zealand conference on 25 and 26 September at Invercargill’s Ascot Park Hotel, following the NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame event on the evening of the 24th.

Newly appointed Transport Minister Michael Wood and Opposition Leader Judith Collins headline an exciting line-up of speakers. V8 Supercar driver Greg Murphy will talk about the importance of driving skills training, Cameron Bagrie will provide his usual insightful commentary on the state of the economy, and Road to success project coordinator Fiona McDonagh will lead a session discussing that programme.

There will also be dinners and events to mix and mingle and an interesting partners’ programme that will show off the best Invercargill and Southland have to offer.

Make your conference booking by 31 July to take advantage of the early-bird registration discount. You can register and get more information about the conference programme and accommodation options at rtfconference.co.nz.

Nick Leggett

chief executive officer

ROAD SAFETY TRUCK

The New Zealand Road Safety Truck initiative is only made possible with support from Industry. The New Zealand Trucking Association proudly designed and deliver the road safety programmes. The association is a non-for-profit trade organisation and the Road Safety Truck is one of the community-based initiatives that the association undertakes on behalf of its members and the industry. Our industry sponsors and Partners provide valuable products, services and funds to help us do this important work. We want to thank them for making road safety a priority in their business. Penske sponsor the 640HP MAN tractor unit. This truck generates a huge amount of inspiration and awareness. Many people have never experienced the inside of a truck cab and when they get to have a turn sitting in the driver’s seat, to see what the driver can and cannot see, it’s a light bulb moment when they realise how big a truck is and how vulnerable they are on the road. The MAN is a showcase of the latest technology with all the safety, economic and comfort features that comes standard with a MAN. It is surprise to most people just how high-tech and comfortable this truck is. TOLL sponsor the classroom-style trailer. This is a unique space, which

Key Sponsors of the Road Safety Truck

BP supply fuel throughout the year. Bluebridge sponsor all the ferry crossings. The New Zealand Trucking Magazine sponsor the printing of all the resource booklets and provide a page in the magazine for our roundups. TR Group sponsor driver training and cash to help with expenses. Cleanco Truck Wash make sure the truck is gleaming before and after each visit. Talleys held fund visits by providing cash. NZI generously keep the truck and trailer fully insured. Also a special thank you to the Association’s Partners, who join us to support the work that we do and a large portion of their membership helps fund the Road Safety Truck. If you would like to support this initiative, consider joining the Association as a Partner too, contact the team for more details: Carol.mcgeady@nztruckingassn.co.nz the team at New Zealand Trucking Association designed to create an engaging learning environment. It has completely transformed to become the perfect platform for the road safety programmes. Delivering truck-related road safety messages from the inside of a truck that has full graphic walls and large TV screens (sponsored by Samsung) makes for a truly inspirational experience. High-speed Wi-Fi internet is kindly sponsored by Spark and enables the students to access the activities from the Samsung tablets. Teletrac Navman take care of the RUC so the Road Safety Truck stays compliant, plus the drivers are monitored through the Navman telematics. Carters Tyres generously sponsor the truck and trailer tyres and keep them well monitored and maintained. Z for Business supply fuel to get the truck from A to Z. 3M supplied all the materials needed for the graphics on the inside and outside of the truck and trailer.

New Zealand Trucking Association Partners

Become a supporter of the Road Safety Truck - Join the New Zealand Trucking Association as a Partner, volunteer to help at an event, or make a donation to help keep the initiative running.