Saw this article in the Herald today:
nzherald.co.nz/business/news … d=11579723
It’s the same old story. 5 years ago I saw an article from the Christchurch Press saying trucks were parked up due to driver shortages, and about 2 years ago the boss of Temuka Transport (Canterbury) was saying he was so desperate for drivers they could stay at his house!
All this whilst NZ is experiencing record migration, mainly from Asia with the new arrivals possessing little practical skills, and generally wanting to settle in Auckland.
How desperate is NZ for truck drivers? Well I have a Class 5, which is useful for my work as a HD mechanic, but I wouldn’t call myself a driver. Despite this I often get asked to drive for various people and companies. I explain I am not a trained driver, so they offer to train me up. I don’t want to change occupations, but this sure makes a mockery of Immigration NZ’s stance that truck drivers are not skilled workers. 
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