Jaymin McGuire bumped into Cam Ferguson, also known as ‘Ferg’, in Hikarangi while grabbing lunch. Based in Whangarei, Cam runs his own business, Ferguson Transport, which provides bulk tipping, metal-spreading and fill services, whether it be on subdivisions, roading projects, farms or driveways.

Cam drives a 2004 Kenworth T650 with a 550hp Cat C15, with an 18-speed Roadranger gearbox.

Cam says that he “loved trucks as a young fella, so just jumped in and gave it a go”, and that he’s been driving trucks on and off for about 11 years.

The best part of the job, states Cam, “is simply being out and about. There’s something new every day. You’re always learning.” He also says his truck is the next best part of the job, having owned the Kenworth for six months. It started life as a logging truck and was converted into a tipper when it was a few years old.

There are always pitfalls to a job, and “load rates, road quality, expectations, and the lack of loyalty from newcomers” are just a few that Cam has experienced in his time. He reckons that they need to “definitely throw some money at the quality of roads, and to driver training to help contain the number of useless drivers out there”, as this could help make the roads safer for everyone, truckers and all.

Cam’s big question was: ‘Wine or beer?’ “You can’t beat an ice-cold beer, for sure!”