First up on 27 and 28 October is the Road Transport Forum’s annual conference in Tauranga, followed by the 14th International Symposium on Heavy Vehicle Transport and Technology (HVTT14) in Rotorua from 15-18 November.
At the RTF conference the speakers include Ian Wright, who co-founded electric car-maker Tesla before starting Wrightspeed which makes electric motors for commercial vehicles.
Other speakers at the conference include the economic commentator Bernard Hickey, legal expert from Gibson Sheat Lawyers Ed Cox and heavy vehicle safety specialist Jeff Fleury from the NZ Transport Agency.
Transport Agency Chief Executive Fergus Gammie will take part in a panel discussion on policy with representatives from the Ministry of Transport and the Police’s Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit.
“Delegates will have a unique opportunity to engage with the experts, innovators and regulators at the forefront of our industry’s future,” says RTF Chief Executive Ken Shirley.
A few weeks later HVTT14 will bring together legislators, road administrators, academics, consultants, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, transport organizations and transport operators to discuss and exchange ideas on ways to improve the safety, efficiency, productivity and sustainability of the road transport industry.
The symposium, which is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from across the world, is coming to New Zealand for the first time and will be hosted by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers of New Zealand (IRTENZ).
The NZ Transport Agency’s Freight Portfolio Director David Silvester says having the symposium in New Zealand is a great opportunity to share the success of our high productivity motor vehicle programme (HPMVs including 50MAX), while also learning about the latest developments in truck safety and efficiency.
“It’s great to see such a significant international symposium happening in New Zealand,” David says. “We’ve got some great stories to tell about the efficiency benefits HPMV has brought to New Zealand and the way industry, local and central government worked together to make it a success.”