Old school trucks: Taggart Earthmoving

By: Dean Middleton, Photography by: Dean Middleton

Date: 23.02.2023

This iconic 1978 Mack R797 Transporter was a favourite of mine back in the early ’90s

A classic-looking R-Model Mack on tipulator duties

Another R-Model; this one pictured on transporter duties

This R-Model Mack was a built-up ex-US import converted to right-hand drive

International S-lines were plentiful in the Taggart’s livery

This model S-Line was an iconic truck in many NZ fleets back in the ’80s and ’90s

Another S-line in tipper configuration pulling a not-so-common two-axle tipper full trailer

No International favoured fleet was complete without a T-line in its ranks

A later model S-Line on transporter duties

The same model S-Line on truck and trailer duties

A smart LTS9000 Ford Louisville that came to Taggarts after a previous life with Fulton Hogan

This Tri Drive Iveco Powerstar was another iconic truck to wear the Taggart’s livery

Nissan Diesel has been another stalwart brand for Taggarts over the years

A Nissan Diesel CW380 pictured when near-new in 2006

A CH Mack on route to deliver a company roller back in 2009

A Fuso Truck and trailer tipper sporting the new Taggart branding

An Isuzu CYZ400 heading out to site with another load of backfill

It was a nice surprise to see this Taggart’s R-Model Mack roll into the recent TMC Transport Industry show in Christchurch

This sharp Mack Trident Transporter is the current heavy haul flagship of the fleet

This iconic 1978 Mack R797 Transporter was a favourite of mine back in the early ’90s

A classic-looking R-Model Mack on tipulator duties

Another R-Model; this one pictured on transporter duties

This R-Model Mack was a built-up ex-US import converted to right-hand drive

International S-lines were plentiful in the Taggart’s livery

This model S-Line was an iconic truck in many NZ fleets back in the ’80s and ’90s

Another S-line in tipper configuration pulling a not-so-common two-axle tipper full trailer

No International favoured fleet was complete without a T-line in its ranks

A later model S-Line on transporter duties

The same model S-Line on truck and trailer duties

A smart LTS9000 Ford Louisville that came to Taggarts after a previous life with Fulton Hogan

This Tri Drive Iveco Powerstar was another iconic truck to wear the Taggart’s livery

Nissan Diesel has been another stalwart brand for Taggarts over the years

A Nissan Diesel CW380 pictured when near-new in 2006

A CH Mack on route to deliver a company roller back in 2009

A Fuso Truck and trailer tipper sporting the new Taggart branding

An Isuzu CYZ400 heading out to site with another load of backfill

It was a nice surprise to see this Taggart’s R-Model Mack roll into the recent TMC Transport Industry show in Christchurch

This sharp Mack Trident Transporter is the current heavy haul flagship of the fleet

From small beginnings, Taggart evolved to become a major player in the Canterbury region specialising in demolition, drainage, landscaping, and major civil works

Taggart Earthmoving was founded in Christchurch back in 1953 by Ron Taggart. My interest centred around the teal green trucks and as a teenager, I enjoyed looking at the International and Mack brands which Taggarts ran back in the ’80s and ’90s. An absolute favourite Taggart truck of mine was an Iconic 1978 Mack R797 heavy haul tractor that already had a proud history prior to being acquired by Taggarts.

Various other makes and models have graced the Taggart fleet over the years, with another memorable truck being an Iveco Powerstar, which was an 8x6 Tri Drive put on the road back in 2000.

In recent years, an upgrade to the Taggart Earthmoving branding made a noticeable difference to the look of the trucks and they still maintain a professional and smart image, which remains synonymous and recognisable on Canterbury roads.

Japanese Truck brands have been among the more recent purchases in the Taggart fleet, with an ominous-looking 2012 Mack Trident being the flagship hauler in the fleet. Today, Taggart remains a Christchurch-based family-owned business that runs more than 35 trucks of various sizes and configurations. 

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