Dannevirke pair part of vital link in rural economy

Dannevirke Carriers drivers Jack Ferrick, 20, left, and Wiremu Pinfold, 28 and Jack's dog Lass.

Mud, rain and remote rural roads are all part of the challenges relished by two newly qualified heavy traffic Class 5 drivers at Dannevirke Carriers.

The pair, Jack Ferrick and Wiremu Pinfold, are part of the vital link which is helping to drive our rural economy.

For Jack, 20, this is his first full-time job, but he's been around trucks for most of his life and is following in his father Gary's footsteps.

"I used to ride around with Dad when I was little and always wanted to get my heavy truck licence," he said.

Dannevirke Carriers started as a small family company and Jack's history with Dannevirke Carriers began when his Dad, Gary, became part of the team 11 years ago, Lina Castles said.

"At that time Jack's uncle, Tim, also drove for the company so it was very much a family affair at the truck yard. Back then it was basically just our two families.

"Jack was at the yard as a kid in his overalls and he always knew he wanted to be a truck driver. It's awesome he's now got his full Class 5 licence and he knows the country pretty well because he was always out with his dad. We're stoked these two young drivers have their full licences."

Jack and Wiremu, 28, obtained their full licences in mid September after having put themselves through their heavy traffic courses in Palmerston North.

"We did the course off our own bat because this is what we wanted to do and doing the course cut half the time off what was required to get our Class 5 licences," Wiremu said.

"I started working here 18 months ago working with the bobby calves and in the hay season. Eight months ago I got my licence and started driving the little Class 2 trucks. I've always wanted to be a truck driver, but I'd had a dabble at everything else. You've got to put all your energy into this job and it's a tough industry but a good one."

Jack and Wiremu share something else in common - family. Wiremu's partner is Jack's sister.

"There's a lot of responsibility driving the big 44-tonne truck-and-trailers, but we get to do different stuff every day," Jack said.

And the trick to handling stock is being able to read them, he said. "The owners are relying on us to get their stock to their destination in good nick."

Jack and Wiremu join five other full-time drivers with the company, which also employs part-time drivers.

"Having qualified staff is so important," Lina said.

"This is a different working environment and if you just want to be a truck driver you can drive the main roads, but come into this environment, there's livestock, mud, rain, country roads and numerous hazards. We've had other guys out here who have tried the job but they haven't coped and so to have these two young guys come and achieve what they have, and do a good job, is marvellous. Some of the places they have to drive you just wouldn't believe. This is how you do your apprenticeship and it's a real challenge. You don't know if you're going to be carting stock, fertiliser or wool. Driving a $500,000 truck and trailer into a driveway you haven't been to before is a challenge."

And Lina knows a thing or two about the business - she was a driver herself, along with her sister, brother and dad.

"Often people take stock sense for granted. But you've either got it or not and these guys have it," she said. "To know when a job comes in and they're out, to be able to ring them on the RT and know they're capable, well, that's awesome. These young guys have a fantastic career ahead of them - it's there for the taking."

And Wiremu agrees.

"I've got the bug and can't think of doing anything else now. But you do need your wits about you."