459 India-born truckers’ licences revoked in New Zealand, families stage protest

A nationwide audit in New Zealand has led to the revocation of 459 licences of India-born commercial truck drivers after authorities uncovered fraudulent documents in the licence conversion process, according to the New Zealand Herald. The move has caused severe financial hardship for hundreds of families, prompting large-scale protests in Auckland.

The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) initially revoked 440 licences in July after discovering irregularities during the audit. However, an Official Information Act (OIA) request revealed the number had since risen to 459. All affected drivers were born in India, though none of the converted licences were Indian. Most of the drivers are aged between 30 and 35, and only two are women.

NZTA Deputy Director of Land Transport Mike Hargreaves said the licences were revoked following a thorough investigation. “We have systems in place to identify, investigate and respond to suspected fraudulent activity, and we will act swiftly when we find it by holding people to account,” Hargreaves told the New Zealand Herald.

Providing false information in a licence application is illegal and can result in a fine of up to NZ$750. Under New Zealand law, applicants converting to a local truck licence must hold a valid overseas licence—current or expired within the past 12 months—and it must not be suspended, disqualified, or revoked in the country of issue. According to NZTA data, 436 of the converted licences originated from the United Arab Emirates, 18 from Australia, and five from Canada.

DRIVERS AND FAMILIES RALLY IN AUCKLAND

Hundreds of affected drivers and their families gathered at South Auckland’s Takanini Gurdwara to protest against the decision, demanding authorities restore their licences.

Navjot Sidhu, a transport operator advocating for the drivers, said the Indian community has been “disproportionately and severely affected”, noting that many of these drivers had worked in the UAE before moving to New Zealand after borders reopened in 2022. “They form the backbone of New Zealand’s transport, logistics, and courier workforce,” Sidhu said.

Amritpal Singh, who spent 15 years driving trucks in the UAE before relocating to New Zealand two years ago, said losing his licence has devastated his family. “They have taken away our only source of income. How will I feed my kids now?” he asked. Another driver, Parminder Singh, said he can no longer pay rent and relies on friends for support. “We had to borrow money just to attend this meeting,” he said.

The revocation has sparked concerns within the Indian-origin community, which plays a significant role in New Zealand’s trucking industry. For now, affected drivers remain without work as they await clarity on whether any relief or review will be offered.

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