Rod Simmonds takes us back just after deregulation of the transport industry to a special event in transport history
The year 1984 was a notable year for many things, from the All Blacks winning 14 out of 15 games through to the election of David Lange as prime minister of the Labour Party, once again. Although, out of all those happenings, the highlight of 1984 for us truck tragics was the Palmerston North NZ Road Transport Association’s Truck Show.
Held at the local showgrounds 30 September-4 October, it combined the association’s annual conference, workshops, day trips and trade displays.
Palmerston North was an ideal North Island location for the event being centrally located and even back then it was a truck suppliers’ hub with Dalhoff & King Kenworth, along with Volvo, Hino, ERF, MTD, Ian McAffer Trucks Fodens etc., all located in the busy provincial town.
With deregulation of the transport industry started only a few months earlier and economic restructuring in full swing, truck buyers were wary of how the changing operating environment would affect them so new truck sales were subdued but the manufacturers and distributor who attended the event did a great job of displaying their new models inside and out.
New models from MAN, Foden, ERF, Scania, Mercedes, Mack, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Isuzu, Scammell, UD Nissan and International featured. The B-Trains were just coming through as the weights increased, and the distances became longer. Roadrunner featured the TV show’s Roche Mack R Series – a flatdeck loaded with posts and new tri-axle semi curtainsider.
There were no Leaders or Whites as they both were in financial strife. Also, no Kenworths, Fiats, Fords, Seddon Atkinsons or Hinos were seen amongst the attendees.
New models presented included the lightweight Foden S106 with Cummins L10-290, the New Zealand unique International F4870 Eagle, UD CKA45, and the new Isuzu CXZ and EXR models.
Some of the more notable trucks were legendary in their own right like, Allan Powell’s Mack Cruiseliner V8 440, Eustons Mack Superliner V8 440 , Transport Wairarapa flagship Scania R142, Child Freighters ERF with B-Train; Scammell S26-branded Yoplait Yoghurt, Provincial Transports and TNL Volvo’s, Clark & Rogers R-Series Mack, Johnson Freight’s Mitsubishi, Freightways, Patea Trucks and Gleesons C-Series ERFs, Beckers and Winstones Scanias, Wilsons, Northern Southland, Heslops, Smith & Davies Mercedes.
Only a few of these companies remain active today.
Even though it was small by recent standards, the trucking community came together to network and solve the problems of the world. Some 40 years later the problems largely still remain.
NZ Road Transport Association History
The history of the NZ Road Transport Association is deeply rooted in the country’s development and the evolution of the road transport industry. The Boulcott Street, Wellington-based association has been a key player in advocating for the interests of road freight transport businesses and the importance they contribute to New Zealand’s economy. The association’s origins trace back to the 1920s Master Carriers Association and the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance, which were the original two industry organisations.
Transport News was the humble magazine for members and advertisers, the only communication channel to reach out to all parts of New Zealand.
In 1997 The Road Transport Forum New Zealand was established, marking the beginning of the association’s current form. More recently The Road Transport Forum changed its name to Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand.
Images by Rod Simmonds
