Industry trucking along

Transporting NZ has warned New Zealand’s supply chain is going to be impacted for some time following the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Nick Leggett, chief executive, says the current situation is being compounded by pre-existing issues with the short supply of some goods from recent weather and general coronavirus pressures.

He adds trucking is the country’s “most resilient” piece of the supply chain and, naturally, the sector is being restricted by road closures, and by businesses and ports being closed to dispatch and receive goods.

“However, if trucks can run, they will do so,” says Leggett, pictured. “Despite the complete shutdown of rail and ports in some areas of the country, trucks will be on the road taking critical food and supplies and keeping the economy moving.”

Most trucks were out on the road on the morning of February 14, but high winds caused a Mainfreight truck to topple over on SH3 in New Plymouth. Truckies trying to get into Hawke’s Bay ended up marooned on the roofs of their vehicles after being surrounded by water that rose to cab level.

Justin Tighe-Umbers, the National Road Carriers’ Association’s chief executive, says trucking companies are going above and beyond to make deliveries, and he understands about five vehicles were stuck in the Esk Valley in Hawke’s Bay where the flooding has been particularly bad.