Did you have to get a new truck liscense? Im from europe and interested in becoming a road train driver. Any Advice?

Thanks for your comments Mark, I felt that the battles the NZ road transport industry encountered, the short-sightedness of successive governments, and just how difficult and expensive it was to create the roading network - and the overwhelming under-appreciation the general public has towards trucks and our industry and the lack of knowledge of how critical road transport is to the common good - needed telling. Glad you enjoyed it - there are two more episodes on the way on successive Saturdays (NZ time) Sunday your time!

The country hasn't got the wealth to do otherwise .

@@stewatparkpark2933 'Cause we spend it all on half-baked political decisions. Like canning the ferries, now the government still needs new ferries but they won't be locked in at the 2021 price the two big ships were gonna be, so they'll end up costing more while getting us less.

Don't feel bad, as an ex Kiwi now driving in Oz I can tell you the state of the roads over here is disgraceful in many places.. and Australia does have the size and resources to do something. They put up signs saying rough surface, lower the speed limits, but don't fix anything (properly)

Elect the WEF,you're only to blame!

Hi Andy, yes, New Zealand would have a far poorer road transport industry without the efforts of Ron Carpenter and Motor Truck Distributors, and the Mack product is well represented over the three programs. But...., as you pointed out - they assembled their fine range of products - not manufactured. The Mack story in this country is one well worth telling.... Tow more episodes to come over successive Saturdays that will expand on this subject. Thanks for your comments - much appreciated.

If you're a kiwi, how do they see you as alien? Just like you, I've been gone since 79.

I left in 1978 for Aussie and carried on driving here Aussie. I still have mates and relations driving in NZ, and amazed at how quick NZ adopted new ideas to move freight. Much quicker than the Aussie red tape brigade. Retired now with the MC license intact aged 70. Still enjoy going hom and catching with my trucking mates. Top documentary.

I came out of school in 77 and thats what all I wanted to do too, but my Old Man put up the exact same reasons you did and why I would be forever working for somebody else. Successful owner-operator drivers were far and few between, instead, I went into carpentry / building. I still dream wistfully when you see the beautiful rigs on the roads nowadays compared to the mostly British D Series Fords, Commers, Bedford's, Leyland's and everything else in between. Real trucks only started to appear via Dalhoff and King with the Kenworth's etc., and Forest Products brought in the Pacific's which were mainly off road for in the bush. PS. Remember pre-deregulation - the small engine part (or similar) behind the driver's seat which was the documented "back load"?? LOL. Great Video and an Archive to the young bucks to show how it was done.

@@nzsaltflatsracer8054 I should clarify that. I might as well be an alien. I would literally have no rights, even though I was born there. Unless I am reading it wrong, I would be treated as an immigrant. The other issue is the cost which means my existing asset base would need to be liquidated before moving back to NZ. Importing my own equipment into NZ is now prohibitive. That is something I am not prepared to do. Anybody else like to chime in?......There may be some avenue I am unaware of.

@@grahamemoerkerk2698 Same here.....Australia is woefully slow in some areas.

Sorry to hear that Joe. I meet Jonsey a few times, including time in the cab when his Freightliner was new, and he was a top bloke in ever sense of the word, and the epitome of a professional driver who drove some of the most exacting roads and trails to be found anywhere in this country - and made it look easy.

I sent your video to a friend who knows his daughter , I’m sure she will love this video. Thank you for helping preserve memories. Jonsey really was a great guy . Yes I have come to learn not every person is capable of driving roads like this , unfortunately I’ve seen a couple go over the side . Cheers guys .

These forests in New Zealand tended to have private roads, owned by the Forestry organization. While the video is dated as from 2002 and much has changed since that time. The timber is Monterey Pine (Radiata Pine) a USA species of pine tree. That will grow from seedling to harvest within 30 years in New Zealand. Yet the their native USA, would take 50 to 70 years to mature.

@@ChristopherWHerbert I was not referring to what was Legal to Haul .. You claimed a weight double what the axles and tries could actually handle .. Just not possible to haul such loads on tires that small. My Oshkosh M-911 Tank hauler has tandem axles rated for 65,000# but the tires are twice as large. It has 14:00 R 24 dual wheels The tires are 54" tall on 14" rims each

It’s 100tonne. Not 170.