Southpac Legends

Even in the world of heavy transport there are rare vehicles that transcend their fundamental use. They become more than just tools of the trade; they become symbols of heritage, personal milestones, and in some cases an unspoken bond between father and son.

For Mat Sheldrake, owner of the Tokoroa-based Sheldrake Haulage, one such vehicle encapsulates all of the above – a Kenworth SAR Legend, affectionately and significantly named 292 Uxbridge.

To understand the importance of this truck, you must first understand the road that led to it. The story of Sheldrake Haulage is a near half-century journey of resilience, adaptation, and a deep-seated loyalty for the ... ... 

When N&J Wood Ltd decided to add a W900 SAR Legend to their yard, it wasn’t to own a highly desirable, limited-edition truck, (although it is), chase fuel economy, or even for fleet-wide uniformity. Nope, it was something as simple as: “Dad really liked that style of Kenworth,” says Ryan Wood, owner manager.

“So we ended up getting one, as he wanted it as his last truck.”

N&J Wood Ltd is a down-to-earth operator that wears practicality like a well-fitted tool belt.

“We do everything from heavy hauling to bulk cartage to civil works,” Ryan says, su... ... 

It was 2018 when Ray and his wife Fiona, from Rangiotu near Palmerston North, secured one of the most coveted rigs in the country, a brand‑new Kenworth T900 Legend, number 163 of the limited run produced that’s sold within a single day. And for a man who has spent decades building his business, this truck was a milestone.

Remarkably, it was Ray’s first ever brand-new Kenworth after owning what he guesses is probably a hundred Kenworths over the years – all the others bought second‑hand and rebuilt by hand in his... ... 

As the owner of one of Hawke’s Bay’s most recognisable log transport operations, Satherley Logging, Bevan has built a reputation founded on hard work, high standards, and an unapologetic love for quality machinery. At the centre of that reputation sits one of the most distinctive working trucks in the country — the Kenworth T900 Legend.

Bevan’s affinity for trucks began long before he was running his own fleet. Growing up around his father’s earthmoving business, it wasn’t the diggers that caught his eye — it was the trucks that kept everything moving.

“My father ran an earthmoving busines... ... 

The story of Maungatua Contracting begins in 1956, when Murray Duncan laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of the Otago construction industry. Starting as an agricultural company based out of Maungatua Ranges, the business initially focused on farm work, small tracks, general farming oper... ...