Big workload for VIA staff

The introduction of government policies and post-Covid supply-chain issues have resulted in plenty of activity for the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA).

On top of that, there has been rapid inflation and the general state of New Zealand’s economy that have affected the industry and the association’s workload, says interim chairman Frank Willett.

“At the same time, the VIA team has reduced its hours of operation to balance overheads with industry need,” he says in his annual report for 2022/23.

This has included David Vinsen’s hours as chief executive being reduced to 20 per week and technical services manager Malcolm Yorston reducing his working week to three days. Policy analyst Kit Wilkinson remains full-time. 

Willett, pictured, notes: “This reduction in man-hours was accompanied by a reduction in pay for those commensurate with their new hours. 

“This measure was taken by the board to attempt to balance the budget as operating costs was the only option left considering no new significant membership support was forthcoming. 

“In hindsight and with ongoing discussions within the board, such reduction in human-resource hours isn’t the preferred modus operandi for the future. Given what staff faced as a workload over the past year, it placed a significant strain on the team to ensure all bases were covered. 

“As an industry, we must find a way to adequately fund our ‘face’ to government ministers, departments and officials, fellow industry players and our industry members to ensure the used-import industry is well-represented. 

“You will have received notification of a seven per cent membership fee increase. This will go some way towards allowing VIA to keep up with ever-increasing operational costs. While this places more burden on you all, this action had to be done. Industry needs VIA and VIA needs more industry support.” 

Capital taskforce

VIA’s board – at its own cost – travelled to Wellington in October 2022 to meet specifically with Michael Wood, who was Minister of Transport at the time. 

This was after engaging the services of constitutional and administrative law expert Mai Chen, of Public Law Toolbox Chambers, on behalf of the association to get board members access to the minister. 

“While VIA staff were working furiously on officials to understand the potential disaster they were considering implementing for the clean car standard, most of the board was adamant we needed to get issues tabled with the minister in a face-to-face manner and, in a one-off action, proceeded without the CEO’s support,” explains Willett.

“Board members that supported this remain of the opinion that, despite the cost of this action on VIA, it was taken in the best interests of the membership and industry.

Following on from this, VIA’s standing and value has dramatically improved within the eyes of government officials.”

VIA farewells

The association is seeing a “changing of the guard” with David Vinsen stepping down as chief executive.

“David has spearheaded the organisation for the past 20 years and is very well-known throughout the industry and government,” says Willett. 

“I’ve had the pleasure of working for, with and above David during these two decades, and it’s been an exceptional journey for David as well as the industry. 

“On behalf of the association and wider industry, I express our sincerest thanks to David for his commitment, support, action and achievements during his tenure. His broad experience and contacts will be missed for quite some time. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. 

“At this stage, the board hasn’t found the right person to take over the reins and the search continues. The role requires a very energetic person, and one with some unique skills to develop and maintain relationships with industry, government officials and politicians. 

“The board recognises the importance of this and will appoint someone it feels will be the best fit. In the interim, Malcolm and Kit have a lot of work they can continue on with and can take guidance from the board when required.”

Willett took on the role as VIA’s chairman when Chris Stephenson stepped down from the role in May.

He says: “On behalf of the board, council, membership and VIA staff, I would like to thank Chris for his leadership over the past three years. He guided the organisation through significant structural changes during his tenure and leaves us with a more fit for purpose and lean organisation moving forward.”