Transport Minister slams NZTA for 'not properly doing its job' in regards to companies that check heavy vehicles

October 15, 2018

It was found NZTA was not properly checking on the companies that certify heavy vehicles as being safe for the road.

The Transport Minister has slammed the New Zealand Transport Agency for "not properly doing its job", after it was found to not be adequately checking in on companies that certify heavy vehicles as safe for the road. 

"When problems with these companies were identified there was often no follow up. This was due to process failures and under-resourcing over the last decade," Phil Twyford said this morning. 

"I am disappointed as Transport Minister that the transport agency has failed to carry out its regulatory responsibilities to the standard that I expect."

The Housing NZ board will not be sacked over the methamphetamine contamination “fiasco”, the housing minister said.

However, Mr Twyford was pleased at the board's "swift action" and the cases were being urgently reviewed. 

"The NZTA board has acted decisively, calling in independent lawyers to review the cases," he said.

NZTA chief executive Fergus Gammie said major improvements were needed. 

"We know we have to do better and we accept our responsibility to fix it," he said. 

The agency has appointed two additional heavy vehicle engineers and two more auditors had been appointed. Seventeen additional WOF and Certificate of Fitness inspectors were being recruited. 

The external independent review, led by law firm Meredith Connell, began in September.

"Based on preliminary findings, the Transport Agency is immediately strengthening its enforcement regime by increasing suspensions, with other legal actions expected to follow," Mr Twyford said in a statement.

"About 152 files require urgent legal or investigative review and that work is expected to be completed by early November."

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