Double Coin Imaging Awards

When the goal is creating a special tribute to “the big fella”, starting with the 16-litre V8 muscle and styling of Scania’s mighty new S 770 provides a perfect platform.

Martinborough Transport has a special S 770 at work in its 35-strong fleet. A few extra details, custom paint, unique murals along on the flanks and the rego number 4H0RI provide a tribute to company founder Trevor “Hori” Hawkins.

“It’s a bit of a statement,” says Jared Hawkins, the youngest of Trevor’s three sons who now own the company Trevor started back in 1982.

“This one is our 40-year anniversary truck and a tribute to Mum (Carol) and Dad,” says Jared.

The S 770 joined the Martinborough Transport fleet in mid-2022 at the same time as four others - a pair of S 650s, an R 520 XT and a 450 spreader unit.

The truck was unveiled in July when the company hosted a celebration of 40 years in business.

“We kept it a secret until we had our 40th event with a lot of our key clients, our staff and some former staff at Brackenridge Estate in Martinborough,” says Jared.

“When everyone saw the truck, they were blown away. Especially Mum and Dad.”

Following the reveal, it took a couple more months to put the truck to work with its five-axle Jackson Enterprises trailer and Total Stock Crates set-up.

“With Covid and all of that we had to wait another couple of months for the trailer. The truck went on the road in October,” Jared says.

“It’s the first S 770 8x4 in New Zealand and we think it’s the first one in the world.

“The trailer is a bit special as well. It’s Trevor Jackson’s 1000th trailer so he did a few extra things on it as well.”

The Scania retains the dark green, silver and pinstripe red colour scheme which is the Martinborough Transport signature livery. But with plenty of extra detail, in particular the murals on the rear flanks of the cab and “40 years of trucking” logos on the doors.

Supreme Automotive Refinishers in Masterton painted the truck and Jasen Ngatuere from Signs & Tints completed the air brushing, pinstriping and sign writing for the stand-out graphics.

“We gave Jasen a few ideas but pretty much gave him a freehand in the design,” says Jared.

He explains the significance of the artwork.

“The big fella looking down on everybody is Dad. There’s a hawk near the top which is our mum looking over us and there are three more hawks which represent us three brothers. There’s also a rose, which is our sister.

“And the lighthouse is the one at Ngawi [near Cape Palliser]. Mum and Dad have some land and a batch out there and they spend a lot of their time there now.”

Most of the design input for the artwork on the driver’s side of the cab came from driver Chris Berghan. It depicts a snow tiger against the outline of the North and South Islands which are formed by koru.

Martinborough Transport began as T.J. Hawkins Ltd in 1982.

“Dad started out carting livestock, road metal, fertiliser and hay. Today we’ve got stock trucks, bathtub tippers, spreaders and some swap bodies. We pretty much do all types of farm and rural transport work bar logging,” Jared says.

The three Hawkins brothers purchased the business from their parents in 2009.

“My oldest brother Daniel runs the workshop and does all the maintenance. Josh is in the office and looks after all of the day-to-day admin and the Health and Safety stuff. 

“We’ve each got our own role. I look after most of the dispatching. But we all do relief driving when someone is on leave.”

Jared says long time Martinborough Transport driver Chris Berghan also played a key role in the specification of the truck he’s assigned to drive.

“Chris probably had more input into how the truck is set-up than my brothers and me. The lighting and the Scania badge are some of what Chris wanted to do.

“I’d say Chris is one of the very best drivers in the country and he’s one of our longest-serving drivers. It’s his third new truck with us but his first full new unit.”

While Chris is the full-time driver, Jared has already clocked up some miles in the S 770 and says he’s very impressed.

“We had the planetary hubs put in because of the horsepower and the challenging roads and it’s got really good traction.”

“And it’s very comfortable. It’s got a microwave, a coffee maker, TV and a fridge. They are really unbelievable.

“I spent two weeks driving it when Chris was away on holiday, and I couldn’t fault it in any way. It’s awesome.”

Martinborough Transport has developed a strong relationship with Scania NZ.

“Over the last eight to 10 years Deon Stephens and the team at Scania New Zealand have been outstanding,” says Daniel Hawkins.