The March 2024 issue of New Zealand Truck & Driver is a special one as the magazine looks back at 25 Years covering the Kiwi road transport industry since the debut issue in March 1999.

Looking back over the past 25 years provides a chance to highlight many of the things that have changed enormously in a quarter-of-a-century and a few of the things which remain the same.

The March edition Giti Tyres Big Test takes us to the farms around Lumsden to test a uniquely optioned 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Arocs 1843 at work for Healy Transport/THL Ltd. A shortened wheelbase and optional 9-tonne front axle have been specified for the challenges of Southland spreading work.

Teletrac Navman Fleet Focus looks at the steady growth of Gore Freight & Storage which was started by Southland couple Glenn and Kerri Wylie 14 years ago. GFS began as a local general freight service with four trucks and has become an 18-truck fleet with recent diversification into container work.

The other big milestone marked in the March issue is the huge KW100 event at Hamilton’s Mystery Creek to celebrate 100 Years of the Kenworth marque. The massive turnout of 765 trucks was the largest single marque industry event ever staged in New Zealand and following its success Southpac Trucks says it is  keen to run something similar again in the future.

There is also coverage from the recent Dunedin Truck Show and the March News section looks into the new Tyrewise regulations for end-of-life tyres, previews the new 17-litre engine from Volvo, outlines upcoming State Highway repair closures and looks at truck action from the Dakar Rally and NAPA Auto Parts NZ Super Truck Championship.

The North and South theme of the March issue continues in the regular Southpac Trucks Legends feature looking at the Mangonui Haulage operation which Dennis Sparksman has built into a transport industry powerhouse in the Far North.

Transporting New Zealand Interim Chief Executive Dom Kalasih takes a look at some of the transport and infrastructure changes on the horizon following the change of government while CrediFlex Recently Registered reports on a strong start to both new truck and trailer registrations in January.

In the National Road Carriers Association column CEO Justin Tighe-Umbers and NZ Trucking Association CEO Dave Boyce look ahead to the TMS Transport Industry expo in Christchurch set for March 13-14.