The May 2024 edition of New Zealand Truck & Driver is on sale this week with the cover story and Giti Tyres Big Test featuring a new application for the 16-litre Scania V8. 

Taupo’s Northern Linehaul has expanded its fleet of Scania off-highway trucks working in the Kaingaroa Forest with its first new R 620 stems unit. Working at up to 85 tonnes, the R 620 is specified based on NLL’s experience with the S 730 doubles unit known as Black Adam, which featured in the magazine last year.

Logging is also the theme for the Teletrac Navman Fleet Focus as we look at recent developments at Sheldrake Haulage. Mat Sheldrake purchased the Tokoroa business from his father Graham four-and-a-half years ago and has just opened a new workshop and admin building which he says is proving to be a `game-changer’ for the business. 

It’s been a busy month for events around the country, and we report on the NAPA Auto Parts NZ Super Truck Championship success for Alex Little, visit the Taranaki and Tui truck shows and cover the annual Southpac Trucks Truckers & Loggers fishing tournament. 

The May issue also pays tribute to Balclutha’s Alex McLellan, and we take a look at the first Mercedes-Benz electric contender in the medium-duty truck segment.

The Southpac Trucks Legend is Hamilton’s Rodney Kempthorne who tells the story of his first experiences in the transport industry and the 28-year growth of his Heavy Metal Haulage operation based near Hamilton.

May’s News section reports on the much-anticipated opening of New Zealand’s first heavy transport hydrogen refuelling network, takes a look at the arrival of China’s JAC Motors truck brand in New Zealand and looks ahead of the third edition of the Transfleet Trailers/Allied Petroleum Bombay Truck Show next January.

There also industry changes in the local body builder and trailer manufacturing sector and MAN is the latest manufacturer to explore the potential for hydrogen combustion engines.

Transporting New Zealand has been busy and has updates on a new Terms and Conditions for Carriage of Goods template, as well as addressing issues for Port users and planning ahead to its South Island Seminar in June.

James Smith, GM Policy & Advocacy for National Road Carriers takes a look at upcoming changes to the accredited employer programme and the Double Coin Tyres Transport Imaging poster showcases a new Scania livestock unit for Midlands Transport that pays tribute to Taumarunui carrier Jack Turner Ltd. 

CrediFlex Recently Registered breaks down the March registration data and looks at the first quarter performance of the new truck and trailer market.