Niwa purchased four Chevrolet utes despite extensive research recommending other vehicles.
Newshub can reveal the crown research institute heavily investigated purchasing RAM 3500 utes and Toyota Landcruiser 79s to replace their ageing fleet.
The final decision to purchase the Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 HD LTZs was made due to their immediate availability - with staff possibly having to drive out-of-date and not fit-for-purpose vehicles for longer if they waited for another option.
Niwa, one of New Zealand’s leading climate research agencies, was also concerned about its reputation and image, and the availability of experienced staff to drive bigger vehicles before making the purchase.
Isuzu N Series and Isuzu F Series trucks were also considered but ruled out due to being uncomfortable and potentially fatiguing, and not possessing the correct power needed for Niwa's work.
Repeatedly throughout documents released to Newshub under the Official Information Act, a staffer concluded the RAM 3500 was the best and most highly recommended vehicle to tow heavier boats while Toyota Landcruisers were most appropriate for lighter boats.
A review of the company's towing vehicles took place on 12 December 2022.
It looked at the towing vehicles for five of their large boats and concluded most would need to be replaced in the next few years, including one which was in urgent need of replacement.
Niwa requires tow vehicles for its fleet of research boats including Whai (3T boat, trailer and loaded weight), Rukuwai and Kiwa (both 2.8T total) as well as Nereis and Icarus (both 2.6T total).
In the review, the RAM 3500 (max trailer towing weight 8T) was considered the best option for the three heaviest boats, while either the RAM 3500 or Toyota Landcruiser V8 79 (3.5T trailer weight) was best for Neries and Icarus.
Throughout the documents, smaller utes such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger were ruled out due to past experience.
"Hiluxes and Rangers have been used while [an existing] Chevrolet has been out of action for a long series of repairs."
"Experienced drivers have found the use of these vehicles to challenging, especially during adverse weather conditions."
In an email summarising Niwa's options sent to the Chief Executive on September 14 2023, the staffer praised American-built "Super Towers", saying his position had changed from favouring the Isuzu-style heavy trucks.
"The format and comfort of the vehicle is very important," the staffer wrote, "to illustate, while the Isuzu F Series truck can easily tow our largest boats, it is uncomfortable, hard to drive... and frankly useless in doing anything but towing a boat."
"Once at a destination a truck would need to be parked in a very specific location (truck parking bays are not that common), and there is no way to then commute from the hotel to wharf or dinner locations etc."
In reviewing smaller options, the staffer wrote:
"While a Hilux has the same towing capacity as an old Landcruiser 79 - for anything over 2.5 tons it is simply not safe to drive."
"I have concluded that we are best to purchase direct replacements for the 5x super towers:
- 2x RAM 2500/3500 utes or equivalent.
- 3x Toyota Landcruiser V8 79s which Toyota have recently announced will be back in production in 2024".
Between this email, and another dated December 1 2023, the staffer solidified their position on American "Super Towers" and appeared to go cold on Toyotas, suggesting four RAM 3500 or Chevrolet Silverado HD LTZ utes would be the best option.
While the Chevrolet was considered as part of a document titled "Super-tower recommendations" on February 2 2023 - it was never recommended over the RAM 3500.
However, the staffer revealed to the Chief Executive:
"You will see that the RAM 3500 is not available until next year while the Silverado is available now - and is considerably cheaper. We therefore recommend placing an order for the Silverado", the email wrote.
Newshub couldn't find a price for the RAM 3500, the next model down is currently retailing for $195,990 in New Zealand.
The Chevrolet Silverado utes retail at $172,000 each, however the final price paid by Niwa has been withheld due to commercial sensitivities.
Niwa is standing by its decision to purchase the Silverados.
In answers to written questions, Niwa said the utes were chosen as they best met their requirements and were available.
"RAMs were not available until the end of 2024 and were much more expensive".
A fifth towing vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser, was due to be purchased when the right models became available in New Zealand, however, a Niwa spokesperson confirmed this has not yet been purchased.
Emissions and image
One of the criticisms Niwa faced when their purchase was revealed was the emissions created by big American utes.
The Niwa staffer reviewing the options knew this would be an issue and tried to mitigate the reputational damage as best as possible.
"While we acknowledge there is a mandate for Niwa to move to lower emission vehicles and that a large American ute is not the image that Niwa wishes to project, our combined experience continues to tell us that the best and safest vehicle option for our larger boats still falls into the "Super Tower" category.
"It is possible to 'soften the look' of a RAM by optioning the utes to have their large (in-your-face) badges and unnecessary external options removed and NIWA could consider not signwriting the vehicles."
"The white RAMs are less conspicuous than the black or red versions."
Niwa ultimately went with four white utes, however a spokesperson said that was for "heightened visibility and to match the rest of our fleet".
The spokesperson said Niwa is continually improving their vehicle emissions and fuel use, while ensuring the safety and efficiency of their operations are not compromised.
Staff ability
One consideration for Niwa was the ability of staff to drive bigger vehicles.
The staffer reviewing Niwa's options for replacement vehicles said, "nowadays many staff arrive at Niwa and cannot even drive a manual gearbox let alone back a trailer or drive a truck".
"We are especially concerned about the waning availability of experienced drivers who would be capable of towing heavy loads with a smaller vehicle, or be safe and comfortable driving a large truck."
"I think this is just a reflection of changing times but it's important to be aware and to ensure we don't put people in situations they don't have the skills to cope with".
What do other drivers drive?
Newshub has found Niwa isn't the only government organisation with a penchant for American Super-Towers.
Customs has one RAM 2500 ute in its fleet.
The vehicle is deployed around New Zealand to transport a Customs’ maritime patrol Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat, which has a 4.28 tonne combined weight including boat, trailer, and fuel.
Customs said its ability to deploy this vessel, as required, to various parts of New Zealand’s coastline is essential to support maritime border surveillance and protection responsibilities.
The vehicle was purchased in May 2020 at a cost of $139,121.75 (excluding GST).
The Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed Fisheries has a large number of smaller utes.
It has 66 diesel-powered Ford Rangers and five standard Toyota Hilux vehicles used for towing patrol vessels.
"Of the 30 patrol vessels used by Fisheries New Zealand, 23 have a weight of between 460kg and 2880kg along with their trailers and can be towed by our Rangers or Hilux vehicles. The other seven vessels and their trailers have a weight of between 3340kg and 3690kg and are too heavy to be towed by our standard vehicles."
