It seems to stem from the cost (& admin) saving in NZ (from the point of view from the employer/business owner) of switching from employees to "independent" contractors. Contractors have the incentive to work long hours and save costs with less oversight from the big company with the resources to check. I just hope that road safety is not collateral damage. I doubt that this is an issue confined to MFT.
Interesting point from the article that big customers can of course squeeze a good price - so the pressure goes onto the "independent" contractor driver.
Disc: Holder