The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has launched its first long-term international staff exchange program, with Senior Vehicle Examiner Arveen Chand departing for New Zealand to train with Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ).

This six-month exchange marks a historic step in LTA’s efforts to strengthen technical expertise and foster global collaboration in vehicle inspection and compliance systems.

LTA CEO Irimaia Rokosawa described the program as a milestone in building capacity in areas like electric vehicle inspection, equipment standards, and regulatory processes.

“This isn’t just about overseas training it’s about raising the bar for LTA and opening the door for future exchanges,” he said.

Mr. Chand, who began his career at LTA in 2005, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, calling it both a personal and professional highlight.

He left for New Zealand on May 9 and will be embedded in VINZ operations, learning from some of the industry’s best.

The exchange is expected to evolve into a two-way partnership, with VINZ officers visiting Fiji in return. LTA plans to expand the program to other departments in the future, with the goal of becoming a globally connected, forward-thinking institution.