The October issue of New Zealand Truck & Driver magazine is on the highways of Northland to sample a powerful new Mercedes-Benz which isn’t what it appears to be at first glance.

The cover and Giti Tyres Big Test feature the new Arocs 3263 which is the flagship of the Carter’s Bulk Haul fleet but is lightly disguised with an Actros grille. The 625hp 8x4 and its Underbelly bulk bin and 5-axle trailer include a number of specification choices to suit Carter’s varied bulk tasks and the Northland road conditions. 

October’s Teletrac Navman Fleet Focus goes to work and on track with West Auckland’s Easy Moves. We take a look at the specialist house moving skills and the truck racing efforts of the Etting family. 

Whanganui’s Grange Transport has recently farewelled Ray Stewart, who has retired from driving for the company for the third time. Wayne Munro discovers that Ray has plenty of stories to tell from his 55 years behind the wheel. 

There’s also a full report from the 60th NZ Heavy Haulage Association conference held in Wellington and the winners of the NZI Top Truckie competition have been announced.

October’s news coverage looks at the return of the Roads of National Significance programme and the coming months of work on the big State Highway 1 maintenance project as well as previewing the new fully-electric reefer from Fairfax and we mark Roadrunner Manufacturing’s 50 years in business. 

Transporting New Zealand’s monthly update covers new roading, livestock issues, possible RUC changes, new technology and also profiles Canterbury’s Mark Wareing.

The Southpac Trucks Legends series features the truck industry career of Mike Gillespie, and we also pay tribute to Alan Smith from Port Albert-based Smith’s Transport and his special send off.

National Road Carriers Association CEO Justin Tighe-Umbers looks at the economic situation and the challenges it poses for transport operators and the CrediFlex Recently Registered pages report on an August market which saw registrations still running behind the record numbers of 2023 and includes a big gallery of new rigs on the road.