On Sunday 22 February, three of the Wellington Transporting New Zealand team attended the Wellington Truck and Transport Show at Trentham Memorial Park in Upper Hutt, which featured some 110 trucks. Despite the grey and windy weather, the atmosphere was light, upbeat, and full of energy. There was a strong turnout, with plenty of families and industry people on site. Kids were enjoying rides on mini trucks, the truck displays were impressive, the food smelt great, and the music added to the overall feel of the day.
Beyond the displays, one of the most valuable aspects of the day was the quality of conversations we had. We spoke with many Transporting New Zealand members, as well as potential new members, and the discussions were open, positive, and forward-looking. Commercial Partnerships Lead Odette Geyer reports that there was a noticeable shift in tone compared to recent times, with operators speaking more confidently about their businesses and upcoming work. Overall, the event gave a strong sense that the industry is picking up and that operators are feeling more positive and optimistic about the next 12 months.
Odette, Business Manager Kelly Smith and Lower and Central North Island Membership Manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman had the opportunity to climb into the driver’s seat of several trucks, which gave a new perspective altogether. Odette says she was genuinely blown away by how spectacular some of the cabs were, from built-in televisions and storage cabinets to full sleeping areas. “It really brought home the fact that for many drivers, these trucks are a second home. It gave me a renewed appreciation for the work drivers do and the time they spend on the road keeping our industry and supply chains moving,” Odette said.
