A bit of wind, cloud, and a smattering of rain had no hope of dampening spirits at the 2019- 2020 John Murphy Memorial New Zealand Trucking magazine Top Truck presentation in Mount Maunganui recently.

A magnificent truck in a magnificent venue, Greg ‘Camo‘ Camenzind‘s winning 2019 Scania S650 against the backdrop of Mainfreight‘s new Mount Maunganui terminal. Both the truck and facility were truly resplendent, and reflective of great Kiwi success stories. Camo took those gathered on the day for a look behind the scenes at Big Blue‘s new Mount digs, proudly showing us the Mainfreight Mount Maunganui staff photo circa 2000, pointing out himself in the lineup as a young forkhoist driver prior to setting off on the journey to fulfil the trucking dream. Outside sat the pinnacle of that dream at this moment in history, and winner of the 2019-2020 John Murphy Memorial New Zealand Trucking magazine Top Truck. Like all good winning trucks the Scania wasn‘t allowed any extra special preparation time and it rolled into the Mount Maunganui terminal in the early hours of Saturday 10 October having completed its nightly Mount Maunganui, Hamilton, Auckland, Mount Maunganui roster.

Photo: Power Retreads director Dave Leicester (left) presents Camo with the John Murphy Memorial New Zealand Trucking magazine Top Truck award for 2019-2020, which also means Camo receives a set of Premium Vipal drive tyres courtesy of Power Retreads.

Photo: From left) New Zealand Trucking magazine editor Dave McCoid, competition winner Greg Camenzind holding the portrait of the truck by Rochelle Thomas, Dave Leicester (Power Retreads director), Jason McCabe (Power Retreads Auckland region manager) holding the winner‘s plaque, and photographer Mike Beesley.

Camo and night-shift driver Craig Finlayson then got stuck in to prep for the morning‘s festivities. “It‘s another stunning example of the pride New Zealand transport operators have in their gear. It‘s a great competition and we‘re proud to have our name alongside it,” said Power Retreads director Dave Leicester. As the winner, Camo takes the winner‘s plaque, a set of Premium Vipal drive tyres courtesy of Power Retreads, and a portrait of the truck painted by renowned auto artist Rochelle Thomas. This year, as it just so happened, the Scania was due a set of feet right on presentation day and so for the first time the winning truck was wearing its new shoes on the big day. “We‘re just stoked with the whole thing,” said Camo. “Thanks to all the sponsors and everyone who voted.”

Also lurking in the wings on the day was the winning photographer, Mike Beesley. Mike‘s a true artisan of transport photography and his work of 40-odd years is standalone in both quality and in his interpretation of the industry he loves. So, there it is for another year. On behalf of the New Zealand Trucking Media family we‘d like to again extend a huge thank you to Dave and the team at Power Retreads for their support of the monthly and annual competition, and to Rochelle Thomas for personalising the prize with the amazing portrait each year. It‘s not been an easy year for anyone and both our sponsors were in boots and all without a moment‘s hesitation when the call was made. That‘s Kiwis supporting Kiwis for you! Of course it‘s all on again, with the Top Trucks from September 2020 through to August 2021 qualifying. May the best wagon win!