As the transport and logistics sector continues to evolve, so do the expectations around accountability, compliance and safety. At the centre of this is the Chain of Responsibility (CoR), the legal and moral principle that everyone in the supply chain shares responsibility for ensuring safe, lawful road transport activity.
In New Zealand, CoR obligations are set out under two key pieces of legislation:
• The Land Transport Act 1998 (LTA 1998), particularly Part 6C, which addresses offences relating to CoR.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), which places a duty on all PCBUs (persons conducting a business or undertaking) to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others.
Together, these laws make it clear that responsibility is shared across the supply chain – from drivers and dispatchers to managers and senior executives.
However, enforcement in New Zealand has been limited. Only a few publicly reported CoR prosecutions have occurred since the 2017 introduction of Part 6C of the Land Transport Act. By contrast, Australia’s National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has conducted hundreds of investigations under its Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), which imposes a clearer and more enforceable national CoR framework. In recent years, Australian regulators have issued millions of dollars in fines and prosecuted operators across the supply chain, from small fleets to major logistics firms, for breaching their CoR duties.
The difference is clear: New Zealand’s fragmented approach is falling behind.
TruckSafe New Zealand is a practical solution
TruckSafe New Zealand has been designed to bridge this regulatory and cultural gap. Based on the proven TruckSafe programme in Australia, which has been improving industry outcomes for over 27 years, the New Zealand version uses a comprehensive safety management system (SMS) to embed CoR principles throughout heavy vehicle operations.
Whether you’re an owner-driver or a large fleet operator, TruckSafe provides:
• A clear, auditable, best practice structure to demonstrate how you’re meeting HSWA, LTA 1998 and CoR obligations.
• Independent third-party auditing to validate compliance and promote continuous improvement.
• Tools, templates, and practical resources to support internal system development.
Why this matters now
At its core, CoR is about making sure everyone plays their part in keeping roads safe and operations accountable, not just ticking compliance boxes. It’s about safeguarding lives, managing risk and upholding industry credibility.
But in the absence of clear enforcement or consistent interpretation in New Zealand, many operators are left wondering what ‘good’ really looks like.
TruckSafe answers that question. It provides a proven, independently audited framework that defines best practice and supports operators to meet and exceed their legal duties.
Integrated support via HARMfree
TruckSafe directly links through to the HARMfree Transport and Logistics portal, giving members access to a wide range of free tools and support, including:
• toolbox talks and practical resources
• health and wellbeing posters
• social media assets and comms templates
• educational videos
• access to trusted training providers and H&S consultants.
With guidance from the TruckSafe team and support through HARMfree, you’re not on this journey alone. You’ll have access to the right people, tools and practical insights to meet CoR requirements and to strengthen overall health, safety and wellbeing in your business.
The time to act is now
TruckSafe New Zealand gives our industry a future-ready, industry-led, proactive solution. It helps operators move beyond tick-box compliance toward a culture of accountability, leadership and care. As regulatory expectations grow, including likely reforms to strengthen CoR in New Zealand, the TruckSafe certification ensures you’re already ahead.
Visit trucksafe.net.nz or email info@trucksafe.net.nz, or contact programme manager John Sansom, 027 244 5221.
