After 2020’s Toki Truck Stop Show and Shine was cancelled because of the lockdown, it was great to see the big rigs roll into the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka, near Masterton, on a perfect autumn day in late March.

Numbers were down on the record 149 trucks that turned up in 2019, but there was still a collection of about 100 stunning rigs from as far afield as Christchurch and Taupo. A total of $920 was raised for the show’s regular beneficiary, the Mangatainoka Reserve Restoration.

In 2019, a new Star of the Show award was established, named in memory of Pahiatua driver Lincoln Johanson, who died in February 2018. This year, it went to the immaculate 1977 Kenworth W924 owned by Graeme Skou of Marton.

“The truck convoy from Woodville was one of the best I’ve ever been involved in,” says Skou. “It was really well organised, with a huge number of trucks travelling together to the brewery.”

Organiser Kate Steminger says the Toki Truck Stop Show and Shine is one of the most popular events at the brewery.

“The drivers and owners put so much effort into making their trucks look fantastic, and the displays really are impressive.

“We had more than 700 people come through the gates, including families and truckies from all over the country. And with the awesome weather, loads of people sat and listened to the live music in the garden bar, and enjoyed a cold ale or an ice cream in the sun.”

   
                 One ardent supporter of the Mack brand…(left) The 1994 377Aowned by JB’s Environmental was Best Peterbilt. (right)                                                                         
   
The 2016 Mack Super Liner of Floyd Trans won Best Mack. (left) McAuley’s showing its support. (right)            

   
This 2019 T909 won the Best Kenworth award for HES Earthmoving. (left) Graeme Skou was awarded the Star of the Show trophy for his stunning 1977 Kenworth W924. (right)

   
Hood Transport’s 2020 Argosy took out Best Freightliner. (left) JHL Trucking’s 2006 Argosy won the Shine On award. (right)

   
Dennis Brown Transport took out Best Western Star with this 2013 4884. (left) Justin Mills’ 1974 Kenworth W924 was voted Best Original. (right)

   
This 1997 Aeromax won Best Sterling. (left) An immaculate Kenworth from Guy Knowles. (right)

   
The Best MAN was this 2017 TGX in Mainfreight livery. (left) Best Mercedes went to AWE McNicol’s 2020 Arocs. (right)

   
Best Nissan went to the 2020 Nissan CD25360 of Little Transport. (left) Richard Webb in his 1974 KM Bedford. (right)

   
The classics roll in. (left)  Best Foden went to Sara Schmidt from Schmidt Scrap & Tranz’s Foden S108. (right)

   
Matai Transport’s Classic K124. (left) Murdoch Transport’s immaculate 2017 700 Series took out Best Hino. (right)     

           
Best Fleet went to Central House Movers. (left) Two tall, proud figures: the Two tall, proud figures: the
Tui Brewery building and a T909. (right)

   
Clive Taylor Haulage is well-known for its immaculate trucks and ‘THER0K’, a 2019 Mack Trident driven by Andy Maynard, took out Best Tipper. (left) The Best Vintage and Best International awards both went to Gerry Storey’s 1965 RF190. (right)

         
Best Classic went to Grant Moody’s 1984 Mack R 688RST. (left) Best Ford went to this cute little 1972 D1311 owned by James Trucks and Machinery. (right)