A Capital celebration

Photo: At the Welcome function, Greig Running (outgoing chair), Jonathan Bhana-Thomson (CEO) and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey.

In August, around 200 members and sponsors gathered at Rydges Hotel to celebrate 60 years since the inaugural meeting of what became the NZ Heavy Haulage Association. By Chief Executive Jonathan Bhana-Thomson.

Transport operators, from some of our longest-serving members (55 years) to members who have just joined the association this year, came together to acknowledge our history, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to advocating for issues confronting our industry.

The association has met for its annual conference several times in Wellington over the years, but for the first time the conference opening function was held in the Beehive and hosted by the Associate Minister of Transport Matt Doocey.

The Minister acknowledged the association, saying that the oversize industry has played an immensely important role in delivering the large infrastructure our country needs to not only keep the lights on but also grow the economy.

He went on to say that “over the last 60 years, you have moved significant infrastructure of critical importance to New Zealand’s development – including the ‘Think Big’ projects of the 1980s, the Tiwai Point Smelter upgrades in the 1990s, and, more recently, transformers for the Pole 3 upgrade for Transpower and tunnel boring machines for the Central Rail Link.

“Not only that – you’ve been integral to ensuring oversize loads can travel safely on freight routes by working with the NZ Transport Agency to provide expert input during the design phase of new roading projects.”

Unveiled at the Beehive function were new association Honour Boards that listed members who have been awarded Life Membership, the Gus Breen Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement, and Presidents and Chairmen since 1964. The association’s current standing is due to the work that these people have undertaken for the good of the industry.

Over the past 12 months, the association has lost three stalwarts, and they were honoured in a session on the Thursday of the conference which was chaired by current Life Member Warwick Bell.

Warwick has had a long working relationship with previous President, Richard Hyde, who passed away at the start of the year, and he gave an overview of a number of the major projects that Richard has undertaken over the years.

Alex McLellan was a previous Executive member and convenor of the heavy recovery group for close to 10 years, and current Board member Mark McNeilly paid tribute to him. Following this, Greig Running, Chairman of the association, acknowledged the recent passing of iconic housemover Sandy Southcombe from Taranaki. The passing of these three is a big loss for the association. However, it was fitting to honour them at our annual conference.

The Annual General Meeting on Friday morning elected a new board to take the association forward into 2025. Greig Running, the incumbent Chairman for the last four years, stood down and endorsed Mark McNeilly from Dunedin for the role.

Mark, who has served 11 years in various roles on the board, including seven years as the convenor of the heavy haulage sector, was elected unopposed to be Chairman

Bridget Tapper was re-elected as the Heavy Haulage Convenor for her third year in that role and was joined by David Scobie as the second Heavy Haulage representative.

For the two dedicated housemover positions on the board, Paul Britton was elected to the convenor role and joined by the new face on the board this year, Andy Silcock from Waikato.

The Pilot Group Convenor, Paul Running, was re-elected to the role for his fifth year in this position, and Greig Running, having stood down from the Chairman’s role, was nominated for and elected into the general Full member seventh position on the board.

In other significant business for the AGM, a new association Constitution was put forward for the members’ consideration. Like all other Incorporated Societies, the association is required to approve a new Constitution that meets the requirements of the new Incorporated Society Act. After some good discussion about various provisions, the new Constitution was passed unanimously.

The Mack Truck Dinner and Awards on Friday evening offered the opportunity to honour various members of the association. But first, Zane Ryan from Mack Trucks NZ presented the association with a plaque acknowledging its 60- year achievement. His organisation has worked with members for most of that time as a supplier of heavy haulage trucks.

The association was pleased to confer Life Membership on Paul Britton, who is now entering his 22nd year of service on our Board, with six of these as Chairman. His work to produce the Mighty Moves book in 2012, and his advocacy – not just for the housemoving sector but the whole association – meant that his honour is richly deserved.

Nigel Hope from BTR in Christchurch was recognised for outstanding achievement with the Gus Breen Memorial Award. Nigel has been an association member for around 15 years, and for many of these has been instrumental in promoting the needs of the heavy recovery group and working with external parties to promote training within the sector.

On the night, Greig Running presented three Chairman’s Awards to recognise the various contributions from people to the association.

Mike Tennent of SI Lodec NZ was recognised for his support and involvement with the association’s conferences.

The Allingham family from Jak’s Trucks were acknowledged for their engagement with members as suppliers, and for supporting the partner’s programme at the conference.

Paul Running from Tranz Support Piloting was awarded for his leadership of the pilot group, and promotion of high standards within this group.

Overall, the conference was a hugely successful celebration of the 60th anniversary of the NZ Heavy Haulage Association, commemorated by attendees, and we look forward to serving the oversize industry into the future.