Troubled NZTA names interim chief executive.
Thursday, 20 December 2018
The NZ Transport Agency has named former Chorus head Mark Ratcliffe as interim chief executive until a permanent replacement is hired.
He replaces outgoing chief executive Fergus Gammie who resigned after the agency's failure to properly enforce safety standards sparked two reviews, and law firm Meredith Connell took charge of more than 850 outstanding compliance files.
Agency chairman Michael Stiassny said Ratcliffe, who had considerable expertise in running critical national infrastructure, would step into the role from mid January.
He was the chief executive of Chorus from 2008 when it was part of Telecom and through its demerger, before leaving in 2017.
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Gammie is due to finish up at the end of the month and the agency's system design and delivery general manager Brett Gliddon will be acting chief executive from then until Ratcliffe took over.
The Government agency has taken 116 compliance actions since it began began clamping down on inspection standards in October, ranging from warnings and suspensions, to revocation of goods and passenger service licences.
More than 24,800 cars have been recalled for WOF retesting and more than a dozen inspectors suspended.
A Hamilton warrant of fitness inspector and garage are the latest to be suspended requiring rechecks of almost 3000 vehicles.
Vehicle inspector Sayad Hussein and his inspecting organisation, Frankton WOF and Tyre Station, were suspended for failing to correctly inspect some vehicle lighting, braking and exhaust systems.
The agency said Hussein allowed unauthorised people to inspect cars which he then warranted and it is contacting all 2,836 affected vehicle owners to advise them on free recheck options.
Affected motorists do not have to pay for the new warrant checks and the agency plans to recoup the money from individuals and businesses that have been suspended.