VTNZ appoints country manager

Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) has appointed Greg O'Connor as country manager, replacing CEO Mike Walsh who was appointed executive vice president of Southern Africa and Oceania region of DEKRA, who owns 60 per cent of VTNZ. 

VTNZ employs 1,000 people and has 82 branches, carrying out one and a half million car and truck assessments each year, as well as 250,000 practical driver license tests.
 
O’Connor was previously general manager operations leading VTNZ’s service and customer operations.
 
“I’m really proud to take up this position – we employ the largest number of trained automotive technicians in New Zealand and we are the largest provider of driver testing services – all with the aim of keeping people safe on our roads.
 
“VTNZ is in a unique position to support drivers through all aspects of driving – from education and licensing, to helping them choose the best vehicle and then keep it safe and roadworthy.”
 
“This is an exciting time for our industry with advances in vehicle technology and design revolutionising the New Zealand vehicle fleet and challenging us to constantly update how we help keep people safe on our roads,” says O’Connor.
  
“Greg has played a pivotal role in leading VTNZ successfully through significant change including the Heavy Brake Rule, vehicle licensing reform and the introduction of practical driver testing,” says Walsh.

“He’s ideally placed to lead VTNZ through its next phase of development.
 
“DEKRA is a global company and its focus is building strong local teams who can provide customers with a range of specialist safety technical services and I look forward to working with Greg on this.”