New Zealand equipment often unused, Teletrac finds

Teletrac Navman has published research showing that equipment assets in New Zealand are unused about 50% of the time, with limited data access identified as the main barrier to better utilisation.

According to the report, 74% of operators identified data accessibility as the biggest obstacle to improving equipment use. It also found a gap between investment in digital tools and their day-to-day use across fleet operations.

While 87% of fleets have invested in digital technology to monitor utilisation, many still rely on older methods. Three-quarters of respondents said they use manual logs either as their main tracking method or alongside digital systems, despite concerns about accuracy and data quality compared with real-time information.

Only 28% said they had a fully implemented digital tracking system, suggesting many businesses have adopted digital monitoring tools without fully integrating them into operational decision-making.

The survey also pointed to strong demand for better visibility. Some 87% of fleet operators said improved location intelligence would enhance equipment utilisation, underlining the importance placed on real-time information across assets and systems.

Maintenance pressure

Maintenance emerged as another major source of disruption, with 32% of respondents saying maintenance requirements frequently interrupted project timelines.

That disruption appears to be driving extra spending and inefficiency. The research found 27% of organisations frequently rent or buy additional equipment to make up for unavailable assets, showing how downtime can lead to reactive decisions on fleet size and procurement.

The report also highlighted a pattern of underused equipment being kept on site. Two-thirds of organisations, or 67%, said assets are sometimes held onsite but left unused, with maintenance uncertainty and scheduling concerns cited as the main reasons.

James French, Construction Solution Specialist at Teletrac Navman, said the issue is not simply about knowing where assets are located.

"Good utilization starts when organizations move beyond simply knowing where equipment is, to clearly understanding how it's actually being used - and whether that use makes economic sense. At that point, utilization becomes a decision‐making tool, not just a reporting metric. Organisations can see which assets are working productively, which are sitting idle, and which are burning fuel without delivering real value," French said.

Adoption gap

Alain Samaha, chief executive officer of Teletrac Navman, said the challenge for equipment fleets has shifted from installing digital systems to embedding them in routine operations.

"The role of telematics is rapidly evolving across our industry. Digital technology adoption across equipment fleets is widespread, but adoption alone is no longer the end goal - it's integration. The challenge has evolved from simply collecting data to embedding it into everyday operations in a coordinated and efficient way," Samaha said.

The findings suggest many operators are collecting information without turning it into operational changes. Businesses may have software in place, but the continued dependence on manual logs points to fragmented systems and incomplete workflows.

For sectors that rely on equipment fleets, that can mean lower utilisation, idle assets and weaker scheduling. It can also make it harder to align maintenance planning with operational demand, especially when project delays or breakdowns create pressure to keep spare equipment on standby.

Accurate, real-time performance monitoring helps identify inefficient usage patterns and supports more proactive asset management and scheduling decisions, according to Teletrac Navman. The survey results indicate many operators see that value but have yet to fully put the necessary systems in place.

Samaha also linked maintenance practices to broader cost pressures in fleet operations.

"Reactive maintenance drives up operating costs," he said.

"Equipment hoarding may ease short-term operational concerns, but it increases idle capital, reduces asset availability and often results in unnecessary rental or procurement activity," Samaha said.

He added that the industry needs a more unified view of asset data to improve decision-making.

"This report demonstrates the need for an integrated utilisation monitoring system, a single pane of glass that enables managers to make data-driven decisions, optimise operations and increase profitability," Samaha said.