11 Brownston St, Wanaka | (03) 443 7805 | hello@mymessenger.co.nz | www.mymessenger.co.nz
BIG HEARTS TRACTOR TREKKING TO WANAKA Written by: Annabel Roy
On Thursday 25 March, a group of kiwi blokes driving their Chamberlain tractors will depart from New Plymouth, heading to Wanaka. That is where the very first Heartland Tractor Trek begins. This fourteen day kiwi tractor adventure is being run by a group of tractor loving mates that have formed the Chamberlain Owners Group (COG's) and one member in particular, Steve Day. He has his own story to tell. Steve's grandson Oliver was born with serious heart defects and will need to have multiple surgeries and treatments throughout his life. After seeing the support his family received from Heart Kids, Steve decided he wanted to give back and from there the Heartland Tractor Trek was born. At a total distance of around 2,200kms, the trek will travel from Taranaki to Wellington and ferry to Picton. From there they will head to Rangiora to meet the rest of the trek participants. The convoy
will continue heading South, visiting towns along the way, meeting locals, schools and clubs, shaking buckets and increasing awareness for Heart Kids. They will eventually arrive in Otago to be part of the three day, Wheels at Wanaka event, before travelling north again to complete their journey in Rangiora. “Wheels at Wanaka is delighted to have Heart Kids NZ as our national charity of choice for 2021. One in every one hundred babies born in New Zealand has a congenital heart defect, so we’re honoured to partner with the Heart Kids team to donate a percentage of show profits to the next generation of healthy-hearted fighters and big rig drivers - if they so desire!” says event General Manager, Allan Dippie. This is just one of three tractor trekking groups converging in Central Otago for Easter weekend, along with a convoy of 100+ Land Rover owners and vehicle fans from all corners of New Zealand. Learn more at www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz and www.heartlandtractortrek.nz Photo: Heartland Tractor Trek organiser, Steve Day and grandson Oliver (2) at home in Taranaki, preparing for the trek to Wanaka.
JUST ONE WEEK UNTIL THE WINNERS ARE REVEALED! DON’T MISS NEXT WEEK’S UPPER CLUTHA MESSENGER ON MARCH 31 FOR THE WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS.
QUALITY WINDOW JOINERY & GARAGE DOOR RESTORATIONS LASTING 10+ YEARS www. n anoclear-south.co.nz | 027 883 0009
Volume XLIII | No. 12 | 24th March 2021