Connell Duffy had travelled from Invercargill to Taupo when Alison Verran saw him refuelling at the Wairakei BP Truckstop.

Connell was behind the wheel of a Freightliner Argosy powered by a Detroit Diesel DD15 engine. He drives for Southland’s Titiroa Transport, located just a stone’s throw from Invercargill. His usual rig is another Argosy with a 600hp Cummins engine.

Connell usually runs locally around Southland carting livestock, but jumped at the one-off opportunity for a trip to the North Island.

He used to enjoy dairy farming but always hankered to cart livestock. He’s been driving for two and a half years now and loves sightseeing around the country, as well as meeting new people every day.

In terms of any downside, he feels the rules and regulations in the livestock cartage industry are probably it.

When presented with the important question – Holden or Ford? – Connell had no hesitation at all with his preference… Holden!