Workshop Mechanic
About the job
- NZQA Level 4 Heavy Automotive Qualification or equivalent automotive workshop experience.
- Current New Zealand driver’s licence, Class 1; Class 4 is desirable.
- Attention to detail.
- Commitment to health and safety.
- Physical capability to lift up to 25 kilograms.
- Strong understanding of Waka Kotahi compliance requirements.
- Commitment to safe work practices.
- Service, maintain, diagnose, and repair the bus fleet to ensure safe, efficient operation and regulatory compliance.
- Carry out scheduled maintenance, fault finding, and repairs, working independently and as part of a team.
- Maintain high workmanship standards.
- Conduct COF inspections and day-to-day fleet repairs.
- Experience with electric vehicles.
About the company
Ritchies Transport is a large New Zealand transport operator that runs public transit services, nationwide school bus operations, and tourism charters. It grew from a single Temuka bus in 1935 by acquiring many local bus lines, building a nationwide fleet of over 1,600 vehicles and sustaining a family-owned business for decades. Today, it operates primarily through contracts with cities for public transport, school run networks, and charter work, leveraging its extensive, multi-service fleet. The company differentiates itself by its long history, scale achieved through a series of regional acquisitions, and, since 2021, ownership by KKR with the Ritchie family retaining a stake to preserve continuity and focus on long-term infrastructure and greener transport solutions. The goal is to support New Zealand’s public transport network while accelerating the transition to greener transportation options.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Christchurch, New Zealand
Founded
1935
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Ritchies opened Māngere depots in 2025, supporting 102 electric buses and 250 staff.
- Auckland Transport said 175 new electric buses join west and south Auckland routes by 2026.
- Ritchies appointed Scott Thorne CEO on 17 August 2026, restoring operational leadership.
What critics are saying
- KKR's unresolved sale process creates strategic drift after Michele Kernahan's August 2026 exit.
- Auckland driver assaults and Whangārei rock-throwing incidents expose daily safety and reputational damage.
- Failing Auckland's electrification rollout would wreck AT trust and end future contract wins.
What makes Ritchies Transport unique
- Ritchies runs New Zealand's largest bus network, spanning urban, school, charter, and tourism.
- Auckland Transport's 2025 nine-year, $1.068 billion contract makes Ritchies a dominant urban operator.
- Zenobē depots and GIRO HASTUS give Ritchies integrated electrification and scheduling capability.
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Benefits
Training Programs
Professional Development Budget
Company News
Allen and Sharon Fretwell, owners of Greenline Motors, sold their bus company to Ritchies for $19.5 million. The Fretwells took over the business in 1991, expanding it to a fleet of 52 buses. Allen, with a background in transport, converted older buses to diesel and documented every transaction. At 73 and facing health issues, Allen decided to sell when approached by KKR on behalf of Ritchies.