It's unlikely any other wreck in New Zealand has been photographed as often as the old truck that used to perch on a decaying jetty over the Hokianga Harbour at Kohukohu. It's also a pretty safe bet to say it's the only truck wreck to inspire an art exhibition.
Slice of Life: Stories about Kohukohu's Truck opened at Village Arts Gallery in Kohukohu on Saturday with a collection of paintings, photographs, automotive relics, recorded interviews of Hokianga residents reminiscing about the truck, and even a few rusting remains.
The 1938 International D-35 started life as a troop transporter in World War II. After the war garage owner Gordon Richmond converted it into a coal truck; when its wooden cab frame rotted, Vic Gurney - owner of Gurney's garage on the Kohukohu waterfront, in what used to be Fell's
Boatyard and later Fell's Garage - replaced the cab with that of a Bedford truck whose chassis was wrecked in a crash. However, he never finished the project and the truck was left behind when the garage closed down. Over the years parts of the garage which were not dismantled were
stolen or simply fell into the tide, and the truck was left exposed to the elements.
Some residents considered it an eyesore but others loved it, regarding it as an ever-evolving public artwork. It became a tourist icon and was perhaps the most photographed sight in the Hokianga. It was removed by the site's lease holder in 2007 in circumstances which are disputed to this
day.
The show is curated by Marg Morrow, who had invited anyone with memories of the truck to contribute. It runs until May 30.
Tintype Central is a portrait studio specialising in the wet plate colloidion process, a 19th century method of development that predates film photography.
Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham captured all the fun and action from the 2024 Northland Fritter Festival, held at Semenoff Stadium on Saturday, March 9.
Captain's run for Blues rugby team at Semenoff Stadium, Okara Park, Whangarei, Sam Nock feeds the ball out during the Captain's run. Photo/ by Michael Cunningham
About 75 crews took part in the BP Surf Rescue North Island IRB Championships at Waipu Cove on February 10 and 11, where sunshine and medium-sized waves made for a great event.
Regatta was welcomed to Whangārei-te-rerenga-parāoa (Whangārei harbour) with a pōwhiri conducted by hapū Patuharakeke as about 580 passengers disembarked.
