The NRC has announced the departure of two long-serving board members, marking a significant transition in the organisation’s leadership
At the same time, three new members have been appointed, bringing a mix of operational expertise and industry insight to the Board.
Don Wilson and Calven Bonney are stepping down after years of service. Don joined the NRC board in 2014 and chaired it between 2016 and 2021. He also led the National Livestock & Safety Group, helping reshape it into the National Livestock Safety Council.
Calven retires after more than five decades on the board. With a family history in transport stretching back to the 1920s, he played key roles across several transport organisations and was honoured in 2018 with both a Transport Hall of Fame induction and a New Zealand Order of Merit.
Board chair Ian Newey acknowledged their contributions, saying their leadership and advocacy had shaped the industry over decades.
Three new appointees now join the board. Kieran Carr and Nikki Ellis participated in NRC’s board secondee programme and bring financial and operational experience, respectively. Kieran is CFO at Carr & Haslam, while Nikki is logistics & distribution manager at Marlin Transport. Kyle Wilson, of Northern Rural Haulage, brings a rural freight perspective and has expressed interest in improving regulatory consistency across the sector.
Ian says the appointments reflect the NRC’s strategy to build resilience and readiness for the road transport sector’s evolving challenges. Current advocacy priorities include infrastructure investment, safety standards, and fair compliance enforcement.
The new board lineup aims to balance continuity with fresh perspectives, positioning NRC to continue representing members’ interests in a shifting transport landscape.