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Introducing a new Mack Anthem to its fleet has been accompanied by a few subtle changes to the familiar green and gold livery of Tomoana Warehousing.

Boasting a strong yellow theme along with two-tone green in the detailing, this new Anthem hit the highways about three months ago. 

Working from Hastings, the 8x4 Anthem is teamed with a new Patchell Industries 4-axle skelly to cart containers around the North Island. It’s become a regular sight working between Tauranga and Napier.

It’s one of the first examples of Mack’s newest model to appear on New Zealand roads and its timing is on-point as the bulldog marque is celebrating 50 years since Motor Truck Distributors began local assembly in 1972.

Tomoana Warehousing became part of the Booth’s Group in October 2019 and the Anthem sees the visual identity of the two brands moving closer together.

“This one is our first Anthem and it’s something different, so we altered the paint scheme just a little to make it stand out,” says Daniel Dalkie,

National Fleet and Special Projects manager for Booth’s Transport.

Not that the Mack marque is a newcomer to the Tomoana fleet.

 “We’ve also got eight older Mack Tridents and Granites operating in the fleet,” says Daniel.

The Anthem showcases the latest design and engineering available in the Mack line-up, in particular in regard to efficiency and safety technology.

It’s powered by the 13-litre MP8 six-cylinder engine developing 535hp and 1920 lb-ft of torque in Euro 5 specification with SCR emissions control. 

The 12-speed mDrive automated transmission takes power to the Meritor GP46-160 rear axles with 3.07:1 final drive ratio. Mack AL 460 air suspension is fitted to the rear axles and the Anthem works on a 48-tonne permit.

Part of the modern look of this Anthem comes from the fitment of an aerodynamic roof kit and cab side skirts.

This Anthem also retains the standard front bumper design in which the wide chrome surrounds either side of the grille extend down into the bumper. It gives the Anthem a distinctive look. 

“It’s great to see the first Anthem on the road with the full factory look that everyone has seen in all of the advertising material,” says Stu Wynd, National Sales Manager Mack Trucks.

“The response on how this truck looks has been very positive and I’m glad it has into a fleet that has had Mack’s before.”

The Anthem boasts the full Bendix Wingman Fusion Safety Package along with traction control, Mack Road Stability Package (ESP) and Lane Departure Warning.

The graphics on the Tomoana Anthem were designed and applied at Truck Signs Mt Maunganui.

“When the truck arrived from it was painted in Tomoana green and the idea was to do something different and incorporate some of the Booth’s design with the Tomoana colours,” says Truck Signs owner Cliff Mannington.

“That’s how it started after some discussions with Craig [Booth] and Daniel. I don’t know whether it’s something special just for this truck or whether it’s a new look for Tomoana.”

An eye-catcher in daylight, Cliff says the Anthem really stands out after dark.

“Everything we put on the truck is reflective and it looks fantastic at night. It really lights up.

“There’s also a lot of stuff that people might not notice,” says Cliff.

“The bonnet really dominates the look of this truck but by pulling the stripes back a bit it makes the bonnet look not quite as massive. 

“And adding some stripes to the bumper has helped the nose to not look so heavy.”

The Anthem also starts a new naming protocol for Tomoana Warehousing trucks. It’s been christened Tangaroa, the Māori god of the ocean.

“The name Tangaroa came from discussions with the local Iwi,” says Tomoana General Manager Bernard Walsh.

“We approached the Tomoana whanau to look at how we could strengthen the links between our company and the local Iwi and the history of the area we are based in.

“The Tomoana whanau suggested we look at naming our trucks after the Māori gods. So this led to naming the Mack Tangaroa, who is the most powerful of the gods.”

Completion of the new truck also involved two Palmerston North firms.

The in-cab electronics and communications technology was supplied and installed by Adamson and Holland and the rigging of the fifth wheel and guards was completed by Motor Truck Distributors in Palmerston North.