State Highway 1 north and south of Wellsford is a trucker‘s dream the day of the annual Lions Roaring Truck Show. Sharing the road are some of the best and most spectacular rigs in Northland and, somewhat surprisingly but satisfyingly, Auckland.

Photo: Two New Zealand Post Volvos; at left is the 2014 FH that took out the Truck of the Show Award.

This year the show was held on Sunday 16 February, and unsurprisingly for drought-stricken Northland, the weather was perfect. There are plenty praying for rain, but not today, not today at the vast expanse of the Wellsford Showgrounds. On show at the showgrounds were 58 trucks, including for the first time this year those in a new category for utes. Many of Northland‘s iconic trucking firms were represented and there was a good turnout taking the one-hour trip from Auckland – all in support of the event‘s charity, The Northland Emergency Services Trust. Event coordinator Bruce Wilson said that about 900 people went through the gates and $10,000, including $3400 from an on-site auction, was raised for the trust. He said the amount raised, the crowd size and the number of entries, all exceeded last year‘s show. Wilson said the aim this year was to appeal to a wider community by having more diverse entertainment. The trucks remain the main attraction, but this year there were 10 industry exhibitors covering machinery, tyres, transport accessories, and cranes.

Photo: Driver Luke Riddell gives the thumbs-up after winning the Truck of the Show Award.

The food tent, run by the Lions, did a roaring trade as it inevitably does at truck shows. Mason Contractors and Lake Road Quarry funded free entertainment for the kids, and there was the usual clambering up into the cabs, and with equal inevitability for such shows, this was encouraged by drivers and truck owners. It has to be said that there are precious few industries in New Zealand that do as much to reach out and engage with the public. The Wellsford Lions Roaring Truck Show has long been a feature on the Wellsford social calendar. With the growth in crowd sizes and entries it is likely to remain so. Wilson said he and the club look forward to doing it all again in 2021.

Photo: The show this year was open to utes too. The Rhodes for Roads Bedford was eye-catching.

Photo: Douglas Logging‘s spectacular display captured the coveted Fleet Award.

Photo: One of Aysha Logging‘s flamed Macks.

Photo: People‘s Choice winner, Wharehine Contracting K200.


Photo: Jason Nicholson and his pride and joy, the 2011 Scania that won Best European.

Photo: Spiffy-looking RMT DAF stock transporter.

Photo: This Pete‘s Heavy Towing and Salvage Argosy was one of a few tow trucks at the show.