Borlase Transport: Family, Forestry and the Road Ahead

Deep in the Top of the South, Borlase Transport has spent decades earning its place as one of New Zealand's most trusted names in forestry transport. Operating across Nelson, Marlborough and the wider upper South Island, this family-run business plays a vital role moving logs from forest to market — day in, day out, across some of the country's most demanding terrain.

Founded in the late 1970s, what began as a one-truck operation has grown through generations of the Borlase family into a sizeable fleet built for the tough realities of log transport. Their reputation has been built on three things: reliability, a genuine commitment to safety, and strong long-term relationships with their customers.

Forestry transport isn't forgiving. Steep, winding roads, unpredictable weather and heavy loads mean there's little margin for error, and every truck in the fleet needs to perform, day after day, without fail. It's a demanding environment that rewards experience — and Borlase Transport has plenty of it.

That experience shows in how the business is run. Decisions are made with a long-term view, not a short-term one, and the relationships built with customers over the years reflect a business that shows up and does the job properly, no matter the conditions.

We visited the Borlase team to hear about their operation firsthand — the challenges of working in the forestry sector, what it takes to keep a fleet moving in this part of New Zealand, and why having dependable trucks and trusted support matters so much in this industry.

It's a story about family, pride in the job, and the people behind a business that helps keep New Zealand's forestry industry rolling. As the industry continues to evolve, Borlase Transport remains focused on what has always mattered most — safe, reliable transport, delivered by people who genuinely care about doing it right.