The widow of a truck driver killed in a crash is urging Tauranga to become home to New Zealand’s first truck driver wellbeing hub.

Steffi August’s husband Fred August died in a truck crash on April 11, 2019.

“Fred gave me the reason to start asking questions,” August told Tauranga City councillors on Tuesday.

She addressed a City Future Committee meeting to propose the “FA Truck Stop” – the Fred August Truck Stop.

It would be a purpose-built facility offering truck parking, accommodation, food and recovery services for drivers.

“This will be New Zealand’s first driver wellbeing hub, a pilot concept for Tauranga.”

She said if Fred’s legacy could contribute to making life on the road better for other drivers, it would mean an “enormous amount” to her.

“Fred lost his life in a head-on truck accident near Tokoroa. Losing Fred changed my life, and over time, the pain gave me a new sense of purpose.”

August started her submission to the councillors by asking them a question.

“As Tauranga prepares for significant freight growth … Who is planning for the wellbeing of the people who will move it?

“We are planning roads, intersections, industrial land, and the infrastructure needed to move more freight, but there is one critical piece we may have overlooked: the drivers.”

Steffi August's late husband Fred died in a truck crash on April 11, 2019. Photo / Andrew Warner

Her husband operated furniture moving company UPak Removals in Tauranga for 16 years.

August told the Bay of Plenty Times her proposal stemmed not only from Fred’s death, but also from her experience of life on the road.

“I personally drove our 12m removal truck for six years, travelling from the Far North right down to the Deep South.

“I’ve experienced life on the road myself, and that’s one of the reasons this project is so close to my heart.”

She said in her submission that freight movements on SH29, which crosses the Kaimai Range and links the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions, were expected to increase by up to 64% by 2043.

“If we are preparing Tauranga for more freight, how are we preparing for the people behind this?”

August said truck drivers were “essential” to the economy, yet many struggled to access basic facilities while working on the road.

This included safe parking, clean showers, healthy food and somewhere appropriate to rest and recover.

The husband of Steffi August (pictured), Fred August, died in a truck crash on April 11, 2019.

“Forty-four truck drivers die each year in a truck-related accident, they’re not coming home to their families. We have to do something about this,” August said.

“They [truck drivers] want to feel valued, and this is bigger than driver comfort.”

She said appropriate infrastructure could support driver wellbeing, rest and recovery, fatigue management, workforce retention and safer journeys.

The FA Truck Stop is at the concept and feasibility stage, and August said her long-term goal was to have it operating by April 11, 2029 – 10 years since Fred’s accident.

She said Tauranga had an opportunity to demonstrate what was possible through a locally led solution.

“What started from enormous loss is becoming a mission to create something positive for an industry that keeps New Zealand moving.”

Support for idea

Councillors expressed interest in the proposal, with discussion largely focused on how a pilot hub could be delivered and supported.

Councillor Steve Morris asked what partnering with Tauranga City Council would look like and how the council could assist.

“Let’s sit all together at one table and see how this can also help our community,” August said.

Councillor Rod Taylor said August had a “fantastic proposal” and he supported looking into it.

He asked how large an area was needed to make the wellbeing hub “real” and August said 4000sq m was required.

Steffi also drives trucks and spent six years driving a 12m removal truck, travelling from the Far North to the Deep South.

She told the Bay of Plenty Times she had identified a “potential site” in Tauriko that would be “very well suited”.

“At this stage, however, the land has not been secured, and discussions are still at an early stage.”

She said the early concept considered 15 truck-and-trailer parking spaces and 10 accommodation cabins.

“The final mix will be determined through feasibility and, importantly, continued consultation with drivers and industry.

“But I really can’t wait to get this started to make a difference for our truck drivers.”

New Zealand Trucking Association chief executive David Boyce said while the organisation was not aware of the specifics of August’s proposal, it was “certainly interested” in ideas for rest areas for heavy-truck drivers.

“New Zealand certainly has an issue with heavy-truck rest areas, or more to the point an absolute lack of facilities.”

He said there was no national co-ordinated rest area network but a more “casual reliance” on what were often inappropriate areas with a lack of basic facilities.

“A well-resourced network of heavy-vehicle rest areas would certainly help improve safety, reduce driver fatigue and support industry workforce attraction and retention.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.