WHAT’S IN A NAME? EVERYTHING

All Bennettt trucks are meaningfully named, each marking a place in the family’s passage.

Russell and Tina started in business with the White Road Boss brought from Pan Pac, its name Te Potiki means ‘the youngest’, signifying its place as the first truck.

Te Potiki was followed by the ex-Bruce King Mack R-Model which was named Te Rehua, Russell’s given Maori name, but also apt considering the truck’s time in history as it also means lively and quick-witted – like a Fox.

The formation of the Challenge Carrying Group occurred just before Te Wero’s arrival, and that is exactly what the big MH Mack’s name meant, Challenge. “Eighteen owner drivers taking on the big-boys of the time. It was a challenge alright.”

The depth of meaning in the K104 Kenworth’s name is worthy of a story on its own. Taku Kai Tiaki, the truck’s name, means mentor. The registration plate on the truck was Tumai, Russell’s dad’s name, which means ‘to stand’, and the trailer’s number plate was Hui, Russell’s uncle’s name, meaning ‘to meet’. Both men had been significant mentors in Russell’s life.

By the time the Western Star came along a lot had happened, and it started work right on Matariki, the Maori New Year. Russell had by then lost Gerald and Hera his dad and mum, and five siblings, Charlie, Graham, Shirley, Beverley, and Wayne. Seven stars in the constellation, and the new truck a new beginning, it was always going to run

1.4 million trouble-free kilometres really, wasn’t it?

And now Tumai again, as the next generation stands.

Matariki was a truck that lived up to everything its name implied.