While driving along Moffat Road in Bethlehem, Alison Verran spotted Wayne Bowman unloading a 26-tonne digger at the old Mills Reef Winery, now The Vines Retirement Village. Wayne drives for Rowe Motors in Tauranga. His C16 CAT-powered Western Star with a three rows of eight low-loader is an impressive sight on the road. He travels most of the central North Island, carting heavy machinery. Wayne has always loved trucks and would go for rides as a little fella.

With 34 years of driving trucks so far, he just loves being on the road and enjoys the solitude of the job. Wayne‘s biggest gripe with the transport industry is how difficult it is for young ones to get their licence these days. The cost and length of time needed is a huge deterrent. “We just had to jump in a truck and learn.” Wayne was amused by vexing question number 69 … leather or lace? “Definitely lace,” he said.

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