Fine weather, fine trucks, and fine beer – it can only be the Tui truck show!

There’s something about the Tui truck show that seems to guarantee fine weather, and this year was no exception. A total of 110 trucks registered for the event, a little down on the previous two shows but still a good turnout of trucks from near and far. About 500 spectators enjoyed the live music and display of gleaming trucks, including two mature ladies who said they came along for the first time because they’ve always loved trucks.

Jesse Robinson from event organiser The Experience Collective said this year the event was focused on appreciating the truckies, “owners and drivers, who make so much effort to prepare their trucks and bring them along to share with us all at the show. The rigs were impressive. We were overwhelmed with the amazing sponsors who came on board this year; the prizes were awesome, and we hope they made it worthwhile for our truckies.”

The $1100 raised from registration fees will be donated to maintenance at Mangatainoka Reserve via the Mangatainoka Reserve Restoration Project.

Robinson thanked the sponsors: Auto Art by Rochelle; Commercial Fleet Services; Bowden’s Own Premium Car Care New Zealand; Repco New Zealand; Kiwi Shine WorX; Supreme Automotive Refinishers; MyTrucking; Volvo Trucks Palmerston North; Mack Trucks Palmerston North; Total Truck Spray; Kiwi Fleet Wash, and Penske Palmerston North.

This year, the judges noted why they chose each winning truck, illustrating the hard work that went into their decisions.

The immaculate 2005 Mack Super-Liner driven by Andy Maynard from Clive Taylor Haulage won Best American award and also the Star of the Show, named in memory of Pahiatua truck driver Lincoln Johanson, who died in February 2018. The judges said the Super- Liner was in incredible condition for a working truck. “It’s an awesome truck, well presented, and he gets the kids involved.”

In addition to a painting of his truck by Auto Art by Rochelle, he received vouchers and prizes from Tui Brewery.

This year, there was a prize for the Most Original, which went to Johnny Burling’s 2012 Peterbilt. The judges praised the attention to detail inside and out and said it was an “old truck, but looks better than new”. The prize was a custom-made brazier.

The People’s Choice went to PTS Logistics’ 2005 Mack Super- Liner, well known for previously being part of the Menefy Transport fleet, owned by the late Bryan Menefy.

The Best Fleet went to Dannevirke Transport, showing the effort put in to ensure the trucks looked as good as they could on the day. The judges said they were “clean as can be for working stock trucks”.

Local Star again went to Beale Trucking, the company always turning up to support the show. The judges commented that its trucks were always extremely well kept.

Best Image went to Justin and Allen Mills’ 1974 Kenworth with its “amazing artwork, polished like a mirror”.

Taking a break from milk-collecting duties for the day was a 2018 Volvo FM540 Fonterra milk tanker. Fast approaching the million-mile mark, the truck still looked immaculate – a credit to the drivers assigned to it.

Next year’s event is scheduled for 30 March 2025.

Tui Truck Stop Show & Shine 2024 Results