ITS New Zealand is stepping up a gear

This story first appeared in the August issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

With the recent business plan and presentations made at its AGM, ITS New Zealand has charted an ambitious route for the years ahead.

The organisation is advancing its standing as an increasingly active body for “Future Transport” sectors locally and on the international stage.

The organisation is committed to holding events across the country, with the recent AGM being held in Wellington.
To tempt those who see AGMs as uninspiring, it was preceded by an insightful report from the Ministry of Transport’s Helen Robertson who had recently attended the Future of Transportation Conference in Cologne.

ITS New Zealand’s chairman David Vinsen, president Mohammed Hikmet and executive officer Simon McManus delivered reports on the status of ITS New Zealand, the achievements of the past year and objectives for the year ahead.

Vinsen described how the past year had been “exciting and transformative” for the organisation.
While much of the transformation was in the governance and administration, the T-Tech event was a representation of the organisation’s direction and intent to broaden the organisation’s focus beyond technology solutions and traffic management.

T-Tech attracted a record of more than 220 people to the main conference, with Business NZ launching a report on the opportunities that will arise from ITS, and a Women in Technology breakfast as additional activities.

Feedback was “very positive”, especially on the programme’s quality, diversity of content and calibre of speakers – seven of them international guest speakers.
Planning is already under way for next year’s T-Tech event with an expectation for it to grow considerably.

Vinsen attributed T-Tech’s success to the considerable effort contributed by Lee McKenzie and Simon McManus.

ITS NZ’s recently published business plan sets the organisation’s direction and values heading into a new era by integrating disruptive and emerging ideas, Vinsen says.

“ITS not only comprises transport technologies that seek to make transport safer, more efficient and sustainable, but also the resulting solutions and new business models that are enabled by technology.
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These include traffic and demand management systems and models, vehicles and in-vehicle technology, communications and network systems, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), and transport as a service (TaaS) and mobility as a service (MaaS).

Vinsen says ITS NZ is in a very strong position heading into the next year and had for the first time appointed an executive officer, Simon McManus, vastly developing the organisation’s capabilities.

ITS New Zealand president Mohammed Hikmet explained the recognition that ITS New Zealand now receives in international activities, in particular following the large representation at the 2017 ITS World Congress in Montreal.

New Zealand took part in two of three plenary sessions at the 2017 World Congress in Montreal – “our greatest ever representation at an international ITS event”, Hikmet says, noting this is exceptional for a country of our size.

He also described how Christchurch was one of five featured “smart cities” from around the world, the NZ Transport Agency, Ministry of Transport, Christchurch City Council and Christchurch International Airport creating a fantastic showcase.

Mohammed encouraged the membership to take up the opportunities, and focus on participation and contributions to such events which will help grow and maintain New Zealand’s status and position as a progressive country of innovators.

Submissions are being sought for the next Asia-Pacific World Congress in Singapore in 2019, Hikmet says.

Hikmet, who is founder of HMI Technologies and subsidiary Ohmio Automotion, also advised that New Zealand is now chairing the ITS Asia Pacific policy direction subcommittee and has been selected among nine members of the World Congress Strategy Committee for the 2019 ITS World Congress being held in Singapore.

“New Zealand is also highly involved in establishing an artificial intelligence (AI) ad-hoc working group with the next 18 months in ISO TC 204,” he says.

Adding that he’s “incredibly proud” of ITS NZ’s achievements during the past year, Hikmet says he looks forward to working with others to continue growing our local and international reputation.

He also paid tribute to ITS NZ’s inaugural T-Tech Conference in Auckland in March.

Simon McManus was appointed executive officer late in 2017.
McManus has been involved with ITS New Zealand for four years in a contracted communications capacity, but he now has a broader operations management role.
In introducing himself and his aims he referenced the opportunities and barriers to be overcome identified in the Business NZ report, which was launched at T-Tech.

McManus spoke to the treasurer’s report in the absence of ITSNZ treasurer Mike Rudge, who was working in the Middle East.
The treasurer’s report noted the organisation made a profit over the past 12 months despite investing some $40,000 on top of ticket revenue to fund the T-Tech conference.

Despite plans to grow membership revenue, ITS NZ has budgeted for a loss in the coming year.
The loss reflects the board’s intention to invest in activities to achieve their long-term goals for the organisation and return value for members.

Members and prospective members can now refer to the business plan to see an outline of how their investment is allocated to activities including events, international representation and skills development.

Intelligent Transport Systems Board
The board comprises chairman David Vinsen, president Mohammed Hikmet, vice-president Andrew Gurr (Fusion Networks), treasurer Mike Rudge (Stantec), secretary Deryk Whyte (DWG Consulting), VP membership Blair Monk (Aurecon), VP international programme Stephen Hewett (Beca), VP events Lee McKenzie (Ministry of Transport), plus Dave Rendall (Fulton Hogan) and Peter Filbey (Auckland Transport).

Simon McManus (Sharp Angles PR) is the ITS New Zealand executive officer.