Fleet Focus

You only have to talk to Steve Martin for a little while to understand that this is a man with a real passion for trucks and trucking.

Someone who not only loves the machines and the industry….but also has a good knowledge of the history of trucking in Otago – born of growing up in and around the trucks his Dad John drove when Steve was a kid.

And from the time spent as a workmate of his Dad’s, driving for RA Little and Samson Freight – as John went on to clock up almost half a century behind the wheel.

And then….from his own 42-year career (so far) – most of it based out of hometown Dunedin. 

Of course, he’s not unique in having inherited a passion for tr... ... 

Rock up to the head office of Southern Furniture Movers on a weekday morning and you find a man and woman standing outside, enjoying a takeaway coffee, vaping and having an earnest discussion. 

The woman has her long dark hair liberally streaked in a vivid red. A short, black skirt showcases a tattoo on one leg. If the weather was warm you’d catch a truly spectacular display of ink on both arms.

Welcome to the executive arm of Southern Furniture Movers, a relatively young company (not yet 11 years old) that is rapidly making its mark in the specialised world of commercial furniture transport. 

From just four staff and a single 4x2 box body unit delivering t... ... 

To the New Zealand trucking industry, Jim Barker was an icon, a legend, pioneer, a visionary…and a larger-than-life character.

To truckie Daniel Mateni he was all of that….and much, much more. He was his beloved Grandad Jim. 

The founder and inspirational leader of Freight Lines, Bulk Lines, Stock Lines, plus Strait Shipping and Bluebridge Ferries, was Daniel’s role model, hero, mentor and confidant.

And when Big Jim died back in 2016, Daniel – encouraged and supported by his grandfather – had just achieved the dream of buying his first truck.

He was devastated: “Jim’s death was a big hit for me. I’d only just started going….but I was ready to give up... ...