Support for Road Transport and Logistics Businesses.

Why Legal Support Matters in Transport and Logistics

Transport keeps New Zealand moving. Whether you move goods, passengers, or both, every day brings new rules, risks, and responsibilities. The right legal support keeps you compliant, protects your business, and helps operations run without disruption.

We work with operators across the transport and logistics sector, including freight companies, national carriers, bus and coach providers, and logistics networks. Our advice is practical, fast, and focused on helping you plan ahead, solve problems early, and keep things moving.

Keeping Your Operation Moving

We help transport and logistics businesses with matters such as:

• Transport, freight, and passenger service contracts

• Terms and conditions of carriage

• Employment, rostering, and contractor issues

• Health and safety compliance

• Procurement and tendering processes

• Disputes, investigations, and enforcement action

• Restructuring, acquisitions, and asset sales

We understand your industry from the inside. We know the schedules are tight, the rules are complex, and the margins are fine. Our role is to keep you compliant, protected, and ready to respond when things change.

Issues That Can Slow You Down

Every transport operator faces pressure to stay compliant, meet contracts, and keep the wheels turning. The legal issues that come up most often are the ones that can stop a business in its tracks if they are not handled early.

Some of the matters we regularly help with include:

• Work time and logbook compliance, fatigue management, and driver audits

• Road user charges, overloading, overweight, and overdimension permits

• Safe loading responsibilities and dangerous goods obligations

• Lost or damaged freight and claims under the Carriage of Goods Act

• GPS tracking, telematics, and CCTV privacy settings for drivers and passengers

• Depot and yard leases, access rights, and maintenance responsibilities

• Council or government service contracts, variations, and performance measures

• Employment and contractor classification, clean contractor models, and rostering issues

• Notifiable incidents, WorkSafe engagement, and internal investigations

• Transition planning for electric or low-emission fleets, charging setups, and warranties

We know that one small compliance slip, a missing rest record, or a dispute with a driver or council can create serious downtime. Raising these issues early helps prevent penalties, avoid lost contracts, and keep your business moving smoothly.

Industry Expertise

Our team understands the realities of transport and logistics work. The hours are long, the schedules are tight, and the rules are demanding. One of our transport law specialists even drives urban buses as a personal passion, giving us firsthand insight into the day-to-day pressures operators and drivers face on the road and in the depot. We combine that real-world experience with straightforward legal advice that helps you make confident decisions and keep your business moving.

Where We Work

Our transport law specialists are based in Wellington and support clients across New Zealand. We also provide local advice through our Lower Hutt and Masterton offices.

Questions We Often Get From Transport Operators

Do we need written terms for every job or route?

Yes. Clear terms of carriage set liability limits, claim timeframes, and who is responsible for loading, delays, and documentation. They reduce disputes and protect margins.

What records do we need for work time and logbook compliance?

Keep accurate start and finish times, rest breaks, locations, and vehicle IDs for every duty. Make sure paper or electronic logbooks match rosters and GPS data. Regular internal audits help you catch issues before an inspection.

Are our drivers contractors or employees?

It depends on how the relationship works in practice, not the label. Control, tools, risk, and integration into your business all matter. Getting this wrong can mean back pay, penalties, and tax issues. We can review your model and documents.

Can we use GPS, telematics, and cameras to monitor drivers?

Yes, with a clear policy. Tell people what you collect, why you collect it, how long you keep it, and who can see it. Align your practice with privacy obligations and any union agreements, and avoid recording audio unless it is genuinely necessary.

What should we do after a serious incident or near miss?

Make the site safe, preserve evidence, keep a clean factual record, and notify the right regulator if required. Speak with a lawyer before giving formal statements. Early advice helps manage risk and keep you compliant.

How do we deal with overloading, RUC, or enforcement notices?

Act quickly. Check the facts, weigh procedures, signage, and chain of responsibility. You may be able to challenge an assessment or reduce penalties. We help you respond, fix the root cause, and prevent repeat issues.