McKay Cartage Becomes First Company To Receive Provisional TruckSafe Certificate: “This Is What Good Looks Like”

Gisborne-based transport operator McKay Cartage has become the first company in New Zealand to receive a Provisional Certificate on the pathway to full TruckSafe accreditation, marking a major milestone for the industry and setting a benchmark for others to follow.

Developed and governed by the Transport Well Charitable Trust, TruckSafe is New Zealand’s industry-led Safety Management System designed to lift standards, reduce harm, and support sustainable business practices across the commercial road transport sector.

Following an extensive review and onboarding process, McKay Cartage has demonstrated that it has robust safety systems in place that meet the TruckSafe Standard, bringing it in line with national best practice expectations for modern, responsible transport operations.

“This is what good looks like,” said David Boyce, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Trucking Association and Trustee of the Transport Well Charitable Trust. “McKay Cartage has led the way for the industry by demonstrating strong systems, committed leadership, and a genuine focus on people. Their achievement shows what can be accomplished when a business puts safety and well-being at the centre of operations.”

The provisional certification recognises that McKay Cartage has effectively implemented core systems, with a structured improvement plan in place to continue building capability and meeting full accreditation requirements.

People First, Industry Recognised

TruckSafe accreditation is built around a framework that prioritises people, safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

By investing in systems that protect staff, support drivers, and embed better practices into daily operations, McKay Cartage is living out a people-first philosophy that is now being recognised by the industry through the Transport Well Trust.

“McKay Cartage has shown strong leadership by choosing to invest in safety before being compelled to,” said Boyce. “Their commitment to doing what is right is reflected in their systems, their culture, and the way they run their business.”

Setting a Standard for Others to Follow

As the first company to reach this milestone, McKay Cartage is now seen as a benchmark for the industry, proving that safety, productivity, and commercial success can go hand-in-hand.

TruckSafe aims to support businesses of all sizes by providing practical tools, guidance, templates, and an independent assessment process that helps companies build capability over time, rather than replacing their existing systems.

About the Transport Well Charitable Trust and TruckSafe

The Transport Well Charitable Trust was established to provide industry-wide leadership, support, and sustainable delivery of safety, wellbeing, and workforce programmes.

• TruckSafe is the Trust’s flagship safety initiative, designed to:
• Improve safety outcomes and reduce harm
• Provide consistent industry standards
• Recognise operators who invest in people and systems
• Build business capability and resilience
• Support operators to meet regulatory and customer expectations

For the Trust, McKay Cartage’s achievement represents the start of a nationwide cultural shift, where operators who do things well are recognised and celebrated.

Congratulations to McKay Cartage

The Transport Well Trust and the New Zealand Trucking Association congratulate McKay Cartage on this outstanding achievement.

Their commitment to excellence reflects the future direction of the industry:
proactive, people-focused, accountable, and proud.

Start your TruckSafe journey today. Don’t wait until your customers make TruckSafe accreditation a requirement for moving their freight.

www.trucksafe.net.nz

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