Trucking boss moving on

Nick Leggett has announced he is quitting as chief executive of Transporting New Zealand after nearly four-and-a-half years in the role.

He is leaving the post this month to become chief executive of Infrastructure New Zealand but says he is grateful to have worked for an industry “that literally moves New Zealand”.

“Road transport is made up of some terrific people who will drop everything to move freight for their customers,” he adds. 

“Most people don’t know the trials and tribulations of the work, because the industry does such a great job.”

He says leading the organisation has been the best way to learn how the economy works. “You see first-hand the kinds of initiatives that make sure the supply chains run.”

Leggett, pictured, notes a key challenge for the sector moving forward is projecting a coherent case and effectively advocating to government because it continues to have three industry organisations, instead of just one. 

“This makes no sense,” he says. “Everywhere I go, people who work with the industry tell me that there should be one organisation.”

He suggests merging the organisations is the only way the industry can be truly influential and see its scale and importance recognised. 

Warwick Wilshier, Transporting NZ’s chairman, says Leggett has brought a new dynamic to “an industry that needs to embrace change”. 

“We need to empower our young people to lead and he has certainly created the platform for that to happen,” he explains.

"We set a challenge when Nick joined the organisation, raise our public profile and create industry unity. He can now leave with a great sense of achievement.”

Dom Kalaish, Transporting NZ’s general manager, will become acting chief executive officer until a permanent replacement is chosen.