Southpac Legends

Graeme and Raelene Skou’s 1977 W924 Kenworth may have started out life with Auckland’s Frankham Leasing as a conventional 350, but a little over four decades and a myriad of paint jobs later, and it’s been transformed into an award-winning showstopper that turns heads and drops jaws.

“We bought it back in 2016 and we totally stripped it and rebuilt the whole thing,” says Graeme. And boy did he.

With an 889137 chassis number and an IM9326 registration, the yellow and gold W924’s history began with carting general materials around the country by Alexander Grain and headed south to Hamilton where it remained until the early 80s, in various states of ownership/... ... 

If the ‘behind every great man…’ adage is true, then it’s safe to say that behind every great transport operator there’s been a great truck. Over the past 60 years Kenworth is a name that’s been synonymous with such outstanding trucks here in NZ, and regardless of configuration, size, or powertrain, over the years they have invariably been on some amazing journeys – here’s the first story about one of these Southpac Legends.

As with most things, it’s always good to start at the beginning, and what better place than this 848 from 1964, carrying the chassis number 81687. This conventional, tandem axle Kenworth actually arrived on NZ shores alongside a sister Kenworth... ... 

When it comes to smarts, academia is not always the biggest teller. For example, Dennis ‘Sparky’ Sparksman of Mangonui Haulage couldn’t wait to leave his school in Peria.

However, not only has he been at the forefront of haulage in Northland for over 30 years, but his company is one of the biggest employers in the area too – and for that, he’s a Southpac Legend.

Dennis Sparksman was born in Kaitaia in 1949 and spent his younger and school years in the small town of Peria, just inland from Mangonui. The school part wasn’t his favourite.

“I left school as early as I could,” says Dennis. “I wasn’t a scholar. When I left, I went to Australia for a year an... ... 

With over three decades of experience, Paul Chappel from Pyramid Trucking certainly knows a lot about the road transport industry. Not only does his company have a keen eye on social responsibility but Paul himself is committed to paying it forward to future generations of truckers via the industry associations – that’s why he’s this month’s Southpac Legend.

Although he spent a short OE stint in Australia after leaving school, Paul’s parents owned a transport company, Chappel Carriers, and so it seemed inevitable that he would venture into the industry.

“My family was in it first and so I wanted to be a driver from a young age,” says Paul. “And as soon as I w... ... 

The company mainly services primary industry, but Alex primarily considers the operation as first and foremost a solution provider for its customers. 

Alex credits his father and upbringing for his love of the transport industry. His father worked for the Clutha Carrying Company in Balclutha - he was the despatcher and yard supervisor - and as a family they lived in the company house next door.

“So right from when I was able... ...