Episode 1 - A history of trucking - The New Zealand experience...

This three-part series explores the evolution of road transport - from the horse and cart, bullock and traction engine days in the early nineteen-hundreds - to the modern era of high productivity trucking in New Zealand - over it's 120-year history.
Ham-strung by governmental policies that favoured rail for most of the twentieth-century, it was a difficult gestation for an industry that now hauls 93% of the freight task.
Having no sustained truck-manufacturing capability of its own, New Zealand relied almost solely on the importation of heavy-transport vehicles, and was able to source from Britain, Europe, Asia and North America in order to meet its needs, and this documentary showcases the broad range of truck brands that reached these shores.
Created as a tool to explain to illustrate to the general public the importance, history and reliance as a society we have on the road transport industry - this documentary also celebrates an industry that we are justifiably proud of for its capabilities, presentation and professionalism under what are often trying operational circumstances.
Part one explores the transition from hoof to wheel, and how quickly the truck evolved - particularly with the stimulation of two world-wars.
Part two will appear on Oct 26 - 2024.

[@andysaunders3708]

What about Motor Truck Distributors in Palmerston North? They assembled Macks from the ground up. Ok, not quite manufacturing, but they did it for years.

[@andysaunders3708]

NZTA - New Zealand Traffic-jam Agency

[@brucepeppinck9988]

👌👌👌👌👍👍🇦🇺

[@MichaelSuter-s9k]

Brilliant!!...I quit NZ for Oz in 78. I could see little to no future at home while NZR had the industry by the short & curlys. We needed permits for everything, even when rail could not deliver. At that point, late 70's, if I remember correctly, the nett cost to the nation of 3 million people was about a $1 million per day just to keep the rail network running. Not sustainable. Deregulation was a blessing but too late for some of us. Now retired & thinking of coming home I am considered an alien & would lose most of what I have due to changes in citizenship law. At 72 & with road train experience & licence, I could contribute but it ain't going to happen.

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

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

[@grahamemoerkerk2698]

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.

[@andymack5093]

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.

[@MichaelSuter-s9k]

@@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.

[@MichaelSuter-s9k]

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

[@wrbouwman7287]

👍

[@andysaunders3708]

Not a lot has truly improved in NZ over the years - patching up at the last minute, at the least possible cost, and with no investment in future expansion. Shameful.

[@stewatparkpark2933]

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