From one phone call to a 30-strong forum, the Truck Loader Crane sector gains momentum.
The Crane Association of New Zealand’s (CANZ) recent Truck Loader Crane Forum, held on 30 April in Tauranga, marked a significant step forward for a vital and fast-growing part of the industry. Hosted by McLeod Cranes, the event brought together a diverse cross-section of operators, businesses, and stakeholders for a highly practical and forward-focused discussion – and set the tone for what comes next.
First, credit must go to the host. McLeod Cranes generously opened their premises for the forum, and Scott McLeod and his team went above and beyond to ensure the day ran smoothly. As a long-time supporter of the association, Scott’s commitment to the industry was on full display, with attendees made to feel genuinely welcome from the moment they arrived. That level of hospitality helped create an open and collaborative environment that carried through the entire forum. Interestingly, the forum itself was sparked not from within the association, but from outside it. Initial contact came from a non-member organisation – PlaceMakers – seeking guidance and support around truck loader crane operations. Their enquiry covered both general best practice and more specific needs around training and competency. That outreach highlighted a clear gap in the sector, and more importantly, a strong appetite for better connection and shared understanding.
“We’ve known for a while that this part of the industry needed more focus, so when PlaceMakers reached out, it was the trigger to get moving,” said Sarah Toase, Chief Executive Officer of CANZ. “There’s always more we want to do than we have capacity for, but the level of demand from industry – and how well it aligned with our own goals – made it clear this needed to jump up the priority list. The response since has been hugely positive.”
Since then, PlaceMakers has joined the Crane Association, but the significance of that first interaction goes beyond membership. It reflects a broader reality: the need for industry-wide engagement that extends beyond traditional boundaries. In fact, the majority of attendees at the forum were non-members – something the association sees as a positive.
The forum itself centred on three key areas.
The first was the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Cranes, with a specific focus on the truck loader crane section. Through workshop-style discussions, attendees explored what improvements are needed to make this section more relevant, practical, and aligned with modern operations. There was strong consensus that the ACOP must better reflect the realities of truck loader crane work, particularly in dynamic environments such as residential construction sites.
Training and competency formed the second major theme. Participants discussed current gaps in training pathways and the need for clearer, more consistent standards across the sector. The conversation also touched on the introduction of skill standards, and how these could support a more structured and recognised approach to capability.
As part of this discussion, Sarah provided an overview of the rapidly changing vocational education landscape in New Zealand. Her briefing highlighted how recent reforms have impacted training delivery – not just for truck loader cranes, but for the crane industry as a whole.
The third area of focus was ongoing engagement – specifically, the idea of hosting events and forums around the country.
There was strong interest in continuing these conversations at a regional level, with potential sessions dedicated to specific topics within truck loader crane operations. The appetite for practical, face-to-face learning and knowledge-sharing was clear.
One issue that generated particularly robust discussion was the intersection between truck loader crane operations and residential construction.
The Approved Code of Practice for Roles and Responsibilities in Residential Construction was identified as highly relevant, especially given the risks associated with lifting and delivering materials onto building sites.
A key challenge is the level of preparedness on-site. In many cases, builders and site teams lack the planning, understanding, or competency required to safely receive loads delivered by truck loader cranes. This creates a significant risk not just for operators, but for everyone on site.
As a direct result of the forum, this issue will now be tackled on multiple fronts. This includes contributing to the development and application of the roles and responsibilities ACOP, as well as engaging with building industry associations to improve awareness and expectations on-site. There is also early discussion around developing a micro-credential for dogmen, tailored specifically for builders receiving loads in residential environments.
Importantly, this is not a one-off conversation. Future truck loader crane forums are already being considered to continue unpacking these challenges and working towards practical solutions.
The strength of the forum lay not just in the topics discussed, but in the people in the room. Attendees included truck loader crane operators, fleet managers, manufacturers, crane companies running truck loader cranes, and owner-operators. There were also individuals who had retired from the industry but returned specifically to contribute to the discussion – bringing with them a wealth of experience and perspective.
This diversity created a genuinely valuable exchange of ideas. Different parts of the industry, often operating in isolation, were able to come together, compare experiences, and identify shared challenges.
By any measure, the forum was a success. It demonstrated both the demand for greater support in the truck loader crane sector and the willingness of industry participants to engage constructively in shaping that support.
For the Crane Association, it reinforced an important principle: effective industry leadership starts with listening. Whether members or not, the voices of those working in and around truck loader cranes are critical in guiding the development of standards, training, and resources.
If this first forum is anything to go by, there is strong momentum behind this part of the industry and a clear opportunity to build something that delivers real, lasting value.
