Six people who devoted much of their lives to New Zealand’s transport sector have been inducted into the Allied Petroleum Mobil Delvac 1 NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame.
Wayne “Ox” McEwan, Edwin Mansell, Geoffrey “Marty” Greaves, Cornelius van Opzeeland, Greg Pert and Gordon Soper received the honour at a gala dinner at Bill Richardson Transport World in Invercargill.
HWR directors Jocelyn (Joc) and Scott O’Donnell founded the Hall of Fame to recognise individuals who have helped shape New Zealand’s road transport industry. It inducts up to six people each year.
Joc O’Donnell says the latest inductees represent decades of service across rural transport, freight, passenger operations, fuel distribution and transport history.
“This year’s inductees now line the walls of Bill Richardson Transport World, alongside a line-up of industry leaders who have left lasting legacies,” she says.
While each followed a different path, O’Donnell says they shared the same commitment, passion and dedication to the transport industry.
“Ox, Ed, Marty, Cornelius, Greg and Gordon have all given so much to the sector and are incredibly deserving of this recognition.”
The Hall of Fame again supported Street Smart, a driver education programme delivered by Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety.
“Driver safety is front and centre for us all in the road transport industry, and Street Smart’s work in this space means the alignment couldn’t be stronger,” O’Donnell says.
“Many of those attending the Hall of Fame event have played a key role in making our roads safer, so supporting a charity focused on driver education and safety is a natural fit.”
Wayne “Ox” McEwan
The late McEwan devoted more than 47 years to rural transport and played a leading role in developing New Zealand’s live-capture deer sector.
He spent countless hours transporting deer across some of the country’s most remote areas and progressed from truck driver to industry leader.
McEwan helped develop Ryal Bush Transport into one of New Zealand’s leading rural transport businesses before overseeing operations nationwide as rural transport general manager.
He became known throughout the sector for his leadership, integrity and larger-than-life character, leaving an enduring legacy across the industry and the communities it serves.
Edwin Mansell
Mansell has spent more than 50 years documenting and preserving New Zealand’s road transport history.
Through his Big Rig Fotos archive and numerous publications, he created an extensive visual and historical record of the country’s trucking industry.
His work has become an important reference for transport operators, vehicle restorers, historians and enthusiasts, preserving the stories, vehicles and people that helped shape the sector.
Geoffrey “Marty” Greaves
Greaves has worked across the road transport industry for more than six decades, including as a truck driver, owner-driver, company owner, driver trainer and transport manager.
He began driving as a teenager in the Ruapehu district and later worked with several prominent transport businesses.
Greaves went on to develop a 27-bus operation and grow Osborne’s Transport, combining practical driving knowledge with business and industry leadership.
Cornelius van Opzeeland
The late van Opzeeland transformed a small Canterbury coal delivery operation into Opzeeland Transport, which became a nationwide freight and logistics business.
He emigrated from the Netherlands in 1952 and founded the company with his wife Helen in 1956.
The couple steadily expanded the operation while developing a reputation for reliable service, well-presented vehicles and a strong family culture.
The business continues under the stewardship of the van Opzeeland family.
Greg Pert
Pert has contributed more than 50 years to hazardous goods handling, tanker operations and petroleum logistics.
As Tranzliquid Logistics founder and director, he grew a two-truck operation into one of New Zealand’s leading family-owned bulk fuel transport companies.
The company developed a strong reputation for safety, compliance, innovation and customer service.
Pert has also contributed to the wider industry through governance roles and his involvement in fuel and infrastructure logistics.
Gordon Soper
Soper built Tuapeka Transport into one of New Zealand’s most respected rural freight businesses alongside business partner Nicol Kane.
Through expansion, modernisation and diversification, they developed the small regional carrier into an operation serving farming and forestry customers across Otago and Southland.
The company also became known for its distinctive Mack truck fleet.
Soper’s transport leadership, industry vision and community service have left a lasting legacy across southern New Zealand.
