Double Coin Imaging Awards

What happens when one iconic regional transport company is taken over by another – both of them with well-known names and standout colour schemes?

Does the new owner keep the name and the colour scheme of the company it’s purchased…

Or does it rationalise things – gradually phase out the acquired name and livery, absorbing the operation into its 

own business?

That question arises with Wairarapa Livestock Transport and its electric blue trucks, with their sharp red, silver and white stripes.

It’s a good-looking livery that’s been a common sight on roads and farms in the Wairarapa for 40 years – the colour scheme staying largely unchanged through a co... ... 

The Mack Titan has a reputation for reliability and heavy haul capability and is established as a staple of the heavy haul sector. With its high ground clearance plus impressive horsepower and torque, the Titan is perfectly suited for the big jobs in New Zealand.

The network of roads linking all four major mills (Kawerau, Kinleith, Taupo and Murupara) in the North Island – aptly called ‘The Off Highway’ – is one such place where the giants of the forestry industry regularly haul loads of 100 tonnes plus.

Murupara local, Joe Tanirau, who was a mechanic in the KLC workshop, had taken the opportunity to get behind the wheel and do relief driving for many of the ... ... 

The new 6x4 tractor unit for Gundy Transport which started work at ANZAC weekend makes a bold statement in its bright yellow Foodstuffs colours, and also for the level of customisation and attention to detail in the build.

It wasn’t originally visualised as something quite this striking, but Will Gundesen’s passion and Bradley Marsh’s talents were blended to make FAT KW something special.

“It was supposed to be a fleet truck, but it’s ended up like a show truck. It just sort of snowballed as we went along,” says Will.

Based in Palmerston North, Will has five trucks run... ... 

His first job was driving a 4-wheeler for the Glaxo pharmaceutical company, picking up stuff they needed for the factory and dropping off orders to the freight and courier companies.

At the same time, in 1988, Matt’s love affair with the Mack breed began when he spotted an ASC Flowers R-Model Mack driven by Mark Shields which was dropping off containers at the Glaxo factory where Matthew worked.

Matt moved on from G... ...