Our People :: Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand Inc

Welcome to our Our People, where we honour the dedication and unwavering commitment of our long-serving industry members!

At CBAFF we believe in recognising the invaluable contributions of those who form the bedrock of our federation, so as you navigate through our digital commemoration, you'll discover members from humble beginnings to extraordinary achievements, with each journey being a testament to their career.

We thank these people for being part of our journey. Here's to many more years of shared success and camaraderie!"

Willie Vanheusden

Past President – 2005-2014

CBAFF Member 40 years (since 1985) – Life Member

My journey into customs, freight, logistics, and supply chain wasn’t accidental, but I entered the industry at a very different time. Leaving school with a 6th form certificate, I attended Auckland Technical Institute, enrolling in the New Zealand Certificate in Commerce. The program had three electives - customs, travel, or bookkeeping - and covered practical subjects like accounting, world geography, political affiliations, GATT, and CER, providing a strong foundation for my career.

I started as a runner at ...

Daniel Silva

Past President 1987-1990

CBAFF Member 39 years (since 1986) – Life Member

In 1971, at just 17, I started my career in Lisbon as a Customs Broker. A family connection introduced me to the industry, steering me away from the risks of political activism and toward a future I hadn’t envisioned, but one I’ve come to cherish.

A few years later, I visited New Zealand, thinking it would be a temporary stay. But by 1977, I knew this vibrant country was where I wanted to build my career and life. Nearly 50 years later, I’m proud to call New Zealand home.

Learning the ropes of Customs work was ...

Glenn Coldham

Past President 2012-2017
CBAFF Committee Member 28 years (since 1994) - Life Member

My career commenced with New Zealand Customs in 1982, and then I “jumped ship” to the dark side in 1987 with Perrot & Partners Limited as a Customs Broker.

I have been involved in many exciting projects in my time as a Customs Broker but the most rewarding and mind boggling was managing the Customs Import and Re Export requirements for the nineteen visiting teams for the ... ... ...

Trevor Duxfield

Past President 2013-2014

CBAFF Committee Member 25 years (since 1996) – Life Member

My journey into Customs & Freight Forwarding began unexpectedly, as many find themselves in this industry.

Originally aspiring to be a sheep farmer, fate intervened when I found myself at the airport, landing my first role as a customs runner through an advert in the paper. Forty years later, and as you’ll hear from most people that have been in the industry for a while, it draws you in and keeps you here.