Andrew Geuze was fuelling up at the Caltex Truck Stop at Sulphur Point, Tauranga, when Alison Verran stopped to have a chat. Based in Mt Maunganui, Andrew carts two loads of milk powder a day from Fonterra Reporoa to Sulphur Point in a Volvo FM540 for Booth’s Transport.

“I used to be a kiwifruit grower in Gisborne,” says Andrew. “I’ve wanted to drive trucks since I was five. I loved the sound of a V8 Scania. I used to cart kiwifruit for my dad in an old TK Bedford when I was 15. After the kiwifruit, I just wanted a job I would stick with. I’ve been driving for 11 years so far and prefer it when I can cart up to 58 tonne, making the loads more efficient. I like making that truck work!

“One of the issues with the industry these days is the lack of reimbursement to the drivers… I’m talking industry-wide. With some companies, you work your guts out and get no thanks for multiple years of service. My current employer is great. I have no issues there at all.”

When presented with the vexing question, ‘Rugby or soccer?’, Andrew’s response was, “Definitely rugby, it’s got more punch to it. It’s more testing on the players.”