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Aratuna Freighters Limited is West Coast owned and operated family business founded by Durham and Lorraine Havill, the business today is run by Andrew and Monique Havill although Durham and Lorraine can still be seen onsite keeping their finger on the pulse.

Durham and Lorraine started off with just one truck and trailer in 1985. Over the years they have established a strong base of loyal customers, because of this they have had to vastly increase the number of vehicles in their fleet.

Since the inception, they have had the opportunity to extend their services to scores of customers with dedicated services and affordable prices. They are proud to say that their clients are delighted with the service they receive.

Today, Aratuna employee 80 people and now carry fuel, chilled/frozen products, general freight, bulk freight, containers, and livestock all over the West Coast and across to Canterbury with a fleet of over 42 truck and trailer units. Aratuna’s units can also be seen all over the South Island and the occasional the North Island. These astute Coasters have built and branded a top transport operation in one of the more complex areas of New Zealand.

They are proud of their employees and acknowledge their loyalty and work ethics. The team encompasses passionate professionals who are always happy to help each other achieve goals to exceed customer expectations. They pride themselves on providing quality customer service, you will always find them with the time and patience to cater to your needs.

About Us

Aratuna Freighters Ltd was started in 1985 with one truck and trailer, it has developed along some interesting paths and today runs a diverse mixture of freight.

In 1989, the company received distribution rights for BP and a Ford tanker truck and trailer unit was put on the road. Double shifting the truck covered the work previously carried out by tankers out of Nelson. The petroleum distribution work has grown to now include four truck and trailer units and six tanker drivers based in Greymouth. It is marketed, delivered and sold by Aratuna Fuels.

The Refrigerated side of the operation started with the acquisition of Polar Express (one truck and trailer) and Trans Alpine Refrigeration Ltd (one line haul unit) in 1992. This was expanded further in 2001 with the purchase of Williams Transport. Today Aratuna have up to five refrigerated units on the road for dedicated clients loads and a six day a week general customer services.

Other major milestones in the growth of the company was the securing of the Mainfreight, Dailyfreight and Owens franchise, for the entire West Coast area. This service started with one truck and now has four displaying Mainfreight colours, crossing the mountains to Christchurch then onto South Westland and Westport, with operations manager Jamie McGeady running the day-to-day logistics team.

In July 2003, Aratuna established a second yard based in Hokitika to handle our Rural division this added Stock units and bulk trucks to our fleet, suppling the West Coast Farmers with bulk fertiliser and stock food. Back loading woodchip from West Coast Timber Mills. Today two stock units and six bulk units, are run by Rural Manager Bill Millar and his team of skilled drivers.

Then 2013 Aratuna securing the Aramex Courier Franchise covering Karamea to Haast it’s important to cater to our customers with a variety of delivery services, from the simple and straightforward to more complex requirements.