John MacDonald (KAM Transport)
“It was time to do something different and this offers plenty of work, variety, something different every day and challenges and problems to solve.
“You travel through New Zealand’s beautiful countryside and you can earn good money if you are interested.”
John has been a truck driver for five years and has worked through to a Class 5 licence. He drives line haul (the longer distances) for KAM Transport.
“There’s a bit of banter on the road and you meet a lot of good people. You get put up in a hotel and fed and it’s a good life.”
John says people in the trucking industry are open and willing to help and educate you along the way and he doesn’t regret his decision to do something
different.
Gemma O’Brien (Debz Transport)
After working as an office administrator for nine years, Gemma has swapped the computer for a steering wheel and is now a truck driver at family business Debz Transport. Gemma enjoys the lifestyle that comes with being a truck driver and having the opportunity to travel and meet new people. Growing up in a trucking family, she knows a lot about trucks and says there’s nothing better than driving with the window down on a summer’s day.
Kotuku Coombe (KAM Transport)
Kotuku Coombe (KAM Transport)
“I went to jail just before my 21 st birthday. When I was in there, I knew I would never go back, but I just didn’t know where to start until someone gave me a chance.
It was Kotuku’s first job and he started as a driver’s assistant, helping load the heavy meat carcasses. He didn’t even have a driver licence, but he’d grown up around trucks and was keen to become a driver.
Five years on, aged 29, he has a Class 4 licence and he’s the driver. He still starts at 2am and transports meat for butchers and supermarkets and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“If you get the opportunity take it. This has been a life changing experience for me. The other drivers teach you – but ask questions, it’s all free knowledge.”