Craig Andrews was chasing Maungatua Contracting Kenworths around the Wanaka area recently when he spotted the company’s T950 working at a subdivision.

Living the dream in the Central Otago hotspot of Wanaka was one Howie Hawea. Howie operates the company’s 2000 T950 Kenworth with around 1.4 million kilometres on the clock. It started life at Pacific Haulage in Gisborne as a logger. These days, the T950 is set up with a hydro-vac tank on the back, living a quieter life with Maungatua and Howie, locating services in numerous subdivisions around the Wanaka area.

Howie’s back story in trucking started in 1986 after he left school. Driving a TK Bedford for an insulation firm, he followed that up with a stint in the army on Unimogs for a few years. From there he drove International T and S Lines around the North Island before jumping the ditch to Australia in the late 90s, where he mostly carted freight up and down the East Coast.

The lure of home saw Howie return in 2004 to Queenstown, where Northern Southland Transport had his services for a few years, followed by a 10-year stint at Allied Concrete, before joining the crew at Maungatua.

Howie loves the work and the region he lives in. Being a truck driver has shown him the beauty of this country. He struggles for a downside but would appreciate more younger people trying to get into the industry.

A special mention must go to Howie’s dad, Daniel Blackmore Te Hiakaiora Hawea. “He taught me everything I know today and was a good truck driver too,” Howie said. Sadly, he was killed in a truck accident in 2003.

“I am very fortunate to be here and thankful to everyone I’ve met along the way.”