Alison Verran chatted with Amarveer Singh at the Tauriko BP Truckstop while he was having his half-hour break and waiting to unload nearby.

Amarveer has been driving for K&S Freighters for a year and a half. He loves being behind the wheel of the 2022 Scania G500. “Scanias are the most comfortable trucks. I can drive any truck, but I love the Scanias the most.”

Amarveer is based in Auckland, carting containers. “I do metro runs around Auckland, as well as a run to Tauranga three or four times a week.

“I used to drive trucks in India. When I came to New Zealand, I was first working on a kiwifruit orchard in Rotorua. I’ve been driving trucks here for more than two years now. I really enjoy being a truck driver – there’s no stress, you just do your own thing. No one bothers you.

“It’s a shame there aren’t enough truck drivers available these days. It’s not good for the industry. Companies are struggling to get good drivers. They are having to hire from overseas.”

Amarveer’s chosen vexing question was to name his favourite food. “Red meat, especially lamb and goat. I love curries made with goat. There are plenty of shops in Auckland where you can purchase good goat meat.”