During the 60s, 70s and 80s, the premier fleet in the Waikato had to be the Tamahere-based trucks of B Cronin & Co Ltd. With red cabs and black mudguards, red tipping bodies and green stock crates, these rigs really stood out. Dave Hall looks back at the history of this stand out fleet in this multi part expose.

The line between success and failure is often very blurred, however, Cyril and Hazel Broadbridge managed to drag a small rural operation, started from scratch after the war, to what is today a strong family based transport operation in Renwick, a few kilometres west of Blenheim.

In the summer in the early 1950s during the peak of the fat lamb season Hill’s Morris Commercial had unloaded at Greatford rail and was headed back to Bulls for another load when over the Greatford overbridge came a Riley 9 that had no show of stopping. It hit the Morris in the cab and wrote off both vehicles.

One of only 31, Brian Stanaway’s White Road Boss definitely stood out around Rotorua. A Cummins 350 dragged the long loads out to mills round the district. We feature a selection of the late David Lowe’s fantastic images.

Much has been said and written about the younger generations who are now infiltrating the trucking industry, in many cases, the infiltration is much to the dismay of the older hands. On the whole, not a lot of good is spoken about these newer members of our fraternity and it is becoming less and less frequent that we come across individuals with the same drive, determination, skill, and a genuine work ethic we experienced when we were younger.

The Hill family moved to Bulls in 1917, when William obtained a contract from the Manawatu District Council to cart metal from the bed of the Rangitikei River and load it into the wagons of the Sanson Tramway. The tramway was a council built and operated railway that ran from the south end of the Bulls’ Bridge to Himatangi where it joined the New Zealand Government Railways line that ran from Longburn to Foxton.

How often do you arrive at a transport yard to be confronted by a large tank bearing the number plates GBH4U? Well if you ever have to visit Protranz Earthmoving, in Christchurch, that is exactly what you are likely to be greeted by – an Abbot FV433 Self-Propelled Gun. Protranz owner, Gerard Daldry, said he had always wanted to own one of these war horses, and when the opportunity arose to purchase one recently, he acted quickly.

With the recent passing or Gary, I feel is only fitting to remember his legacy and long service to an industry he was so passionate about. A good natured man of humility and humour, Gary will be missed not only by his family and friends but also those he touched during his outstanding career.  Rest well ole mate.