Mullets, utes, dogs on show at muster
An annual Ute Muster, as part of Bayleys Tussock Country music festival, featured a mullet contest where generational supporters of the hairstyle competed to see who had the best '80s-inspired locks.
Utes old and new lined up at the Southern Field Days site on Sunday to be judged in a variety of categories including best deck and highest number of kilometres.
The utes begin their convoy out of Waimumu's Southern Field Days site, before heading along the main drag of Gore, to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving.
The pickups were not the only things assessed by the judges as a crowd of about 60 Southlanders braved the icy temperatures to watch some entertaining dog and mullet competitions too.
MC Rural experience provider Real Country owner Laura Koot said there was no-one more reluctant to put themselves in the spotlight than Southland men.
Theanim Wilson, winner of best mullet in the senior category at the Ute Muster.
The winner in the Junior category was Liam McCullen, 9, who said he had been growing his mullet since "he was born".
Theanim Wilson, who won for his grown-out 'do in the adult category, initially tried to hide his mullet, which was done by "a hairdresser".
Thirteen golden retriever puppies in the back of Cody Wards' duck-hunt decorated Toyota Hilux, won "Best Dog in a Ute".
Ute-wise "Best Turned Out 4WD" went to Russell Bradley for his 1979 Nissan Patrol and "The Most Kilometres" was Anthony Haines' 1999 Toyota Hilux, which had 590,247km on the clock.
"Best Dog in a Ute" went to Cody Wards' 13 newborn golden retriever puppies, nestled in the back of his Hilux and surrounded by duck-shooting-themed decor.
Mr Wards also won "People's Choice" with his 2006 Hilux, awarding him $500 and "Best Classic Ute — Pre 1980" was given to Harman Harvey's 1930 Ford Model A.
MC Laura Koot asks Liam McCullen, 9, how long he has been growing his prize-winning mullet.
GWD marketing manager Hamish Tonkin said the weather was practically "tropical" compared to last year and it was great to see so many utes in every category as well as the mullets.
The utes convoyed through Main St in Gore before heading to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving.
ella.scott-fleming@alliedpress.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
'Mindblowing' win for Toyota-mad Deb
Deb Winter bought a stockpot and a flexi-tub at Mitre 10 Mega Ashburton and won a brand-new $68k double cab ute. The Toyota Hilux SR5 Cruiser Hybrid 4WD was the grand prize in Mitre 10's nationwide Winter Promotion. Yesterday, she collected the keys to her new graphite-coloured ute amid much fanfare at the Ashburton store. 'Just unbelievable,' she said of the win. ''It's really sad that the first thing that you think about is 'oh this is a scam'. Some random rings you and says you've won first prize in and it's a Hilux ute. ''But (it's) just amazing.'' She now has big plans for the new addition and planned to swap out her trusty Toyota Rav for the newer model and head off-road. ''When the universe gives you something that cool, you've got to have fun with it,'' she said. ''I drive a Toyota Rav. I'm a Toyota girl for the last 20 years. Toyota's are just so reliable. 'This is my new baby. I love to go for picnics, love to head to the beach or up into the hills or to the lakes, so this is absolutely ideal. 'I'm going to put my kayak on it, my dog on it and my bike on it and it's just perfect.'' Winter who lives in Ashburton, said she had entered the competition to surprise her youngest son in Australia. Winter, encouraged to enter the draw by the checkout operator, said she thought it would be a great surprise for her Hilux-mad son, Alex, in Australia. But never expected to win. Her name was randomly drawn from more than 200,000 entries nationwide. ''As I was walking out, I thought how cool would (Alex) think it would be if mum had one of those parked up the driveway next time he comes home.'' It got the reaction she thought. She said Alex, age 20, was ''absolutely stoked. He tried to find ways to get it shipped over to Australia''. Winter got to choose her preferred colour with the help of family. Winter's daughter Liv said the timing of the win had been 'truly remarkable'. Her mum had suffered a stroke last month, and scans had discovered a cancerous mass in her brain. The call from Mitre 10 was the very same day her mum had met with her oncologist, she said. ''The timing of that call was truly remarkable – it brought light and hope to a very difficult moment in her life. ' 'Winning the Hilux has not only lifted her spirits but has given her something to look forward to. It's become a symbol of strength and healing for her, and it's helping us transport her more comfortably to her regular medical appointments. ''She's even planning future adventures with her truck, and it's been wonderful to see her eyes light up again.'' In store for the celebration, staff member Carollyn Allison, also of Ally's Kitchen, created a ute shaped cake inspired by the win, as well as Mitre 10 Mega cupcakes for the staff. Managing director Simon Lye said the team at Mitre 10 Mega Ashburton were thrilled to see the prize picked up by someone in their community. 'As Ashburton is not a big city, we are feeling very proud to see one of our locals win a national promotion and such a great prize,'' he said. ''Our team were really pushing to get as many of our customers as possible entered in the competition. ''We even managed to get a Hilux in store for a few days to show off the prize.'' He said it was a tight squeeze. ''A big thank you to all our local customers who entered and our Mitre 10 Mega Ashburton team who encouraged customers to enter the promotion.'
NZ Autocar
16-06-2025
- NZ Autocar
Kia Tasman first drive: Ready for the rough stuff?
Kia has finally entered the ute game. And not with a half-baked attempt, either. The Tasman – built on a ladder-frame chassis, armed with a torquey diesel, and styled to stand out – arrives in New Zealand as a genuine contender in a fiercely competitive segment. We travelled to Korea to drive the Tasman in preproduction form, and also got early seat time with a local-spec diesel prototype on New Zealand roads. The verdict? There's a lot to like already, and even more to look forward to once local tuning is finalised. Bold Looks, Real Utility Let's start with what you can't miss: the styling. The Tasman's looks have been a topic of debate online, but in person, the design comes together better than expected. There's a distinctive upright nose with vertical LED lamps that wrap around the corners. Some have raised concerns about their placement in off-road scenarios, but they're recessed behind a chunky black bumper that looks ready to take a knock. High sides, squared-off cab lines, and chunky black body cladding give the Tasman a tough, purposeful look – especially in the darker shades. The X-Pro variant, in particular, turns heads with its all-terrain tyres and rugged exterior touches. Around the back, there's a deep-lined tray with factory tie-downs, integrated step corners, and an in-tray 220V power outlet delivering 200W. That's enough to charge tools but not quite enough to run heavy gear like an EV's V2L system. One clever addition: a small lockable storage cubby behind the right-hand rear wheel arch – perfect for muddy boots or a tow strap. The tray itself is competitive in size and function. In the TX, TXR, and TXS variants, the tray measures 1573mm long, 1600mm wide, and 543mm deep, offering a volume of 1212L. In the X-Line and X-Pro, the tray is slightly shorter and narrower at 1512mm long and 1157mm wide, with a volume of 1173L. All variants feature multiple tie-down points, including in-tray rails and corner hooks, providing flexibility for securing loads. Big on Practicality Size-wise, the Tasman is a full-size ute. Measuring 5.4 metres long and nearly 1.9 metres wide, it goes toe-to-toe with segment staples like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. Payload capacity peaks at just over 1,025kg, while all variants offer a 3,500kg braked towing capacity. Kia's accessory range is also extensive, with options including snorkels, electric roller covers, roof racks, and load slides. No doubt the aftermarket will be jumping in too. You can tell thought has been put in for add ons, for example the roof rails have been rated for a hefty 100kg. A Proper Cabin, Finally Step inside, and this is where Kia sets a new benchmark for the segment. The Tasman's interior doesn't feel like it belongs in a workhorse. Instead, it borrows heavily from Kia's SUV playbook, particularly in the X-Line and X-Pro trims. For those – like me – that thought the BYD Shark was a step forward for ute interiors, be prepared to be shocked. This is, without question, the best interior in the ute segment. It's not even close. The materials, layout, screen integration, and features are more akin to a luxury SUV than a light commercial vehicle. Like other Kias, the panoramic display houses dual 12.3-inch screens: one for the instrument cluster, the other for infotainment. Kia's interface is responsive, and physical shortcut buttons remain below for climate and media functions – a relief in today's touch-heavy world. Seat materials and finishes vary by grade. Lower trims get cloth or composite leather, while the upper variants go all-in with ventilated and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, premium Harman Kardon audio, and even a sunroof. Perhaps the most surprising feature? Sliding and reclining rear seats in the X-Line and X-Pro – a first in the segment. These seats tilt back via a clever mechanism that moves the base forward, increasing comfort without sacrificing cabin space. It's a small but meaningful touch, especially for families using the rear row on longer trips. Rear-seat flexibility is also excellent. The base cushions flip up and lock in place, freeing up a huge floor space for tools, gear, or groceries. Hidden trays under the seat bases keep smaller items stowed away neatly. Powertrain and Pricing All New Zealand-bound Tasmans are powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel making 154kW and 440Nm. It's paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission that's been recalibrated specifically for ute duty. The transmission is one of the Tasman's strengths, providing crisp, intelligent shifts in a range of driving scenarios. There are five trim levels, all with 4WD and a double cab bodystyle at launch: Model Price (NZD, +ORC) TX 4WD $52,690 TXR 4WD $58,690 TXS 4WD $62,690 X-Line 4WD $69,690 X-Pro 4WD $79,690 A single cab chassis and a double cab chassis variant will join the lineup in early 2026. For now, all five models land in Q3 2025 with comprehensive spec lists. Even base models get LED headlights, a trailer brake controller, and terrain mode selection. From the TXR up, you gain extras like 18-inch alloys, dual 240V outlets, mood lighting, and wireless phone charging. The TXS and above bring a surround view monitor, heated seats, second-row slide and recline, and upgraded upholstery. X-Line and X-Pro models add an electromechanical rear diff lock, underbody protection, and enhanced off-road software, including a ground view camera. Kia Connect – the brand's remote services and OTA update system – is included free for five years across the range. On the Road (and Off It) In Korea, we tested the petrol model with 206kW and 422Nm – a powertrain not destined for New Zealand. That engine felt strong and refined, but even more impressive was how well the eight-speed handled the delivery. There's little lag, and the gearbox stays in the sweet spot without hunting unnecessarily. Ride quality on Korea's smooth highways was polished, quiet, and controlled – a promising preview, though not the whole story. On New Zealand roads, we sampled the diesel in preproduction form. That same eight-speed transmission remains a highlight, working well to deliver mid-range torque and clean shifts. Kia has done a good job isolating diesel noise and vibration too – it never clatters, and the cabin remains calm under acceleration. However, the unladen ride on local highways felt less composed than in Korea. Like many leaf-sprung utes, the Tasman can feel jittery at the rear when running empty. Kia is aware of this and has confirmed a specific Australasian ride and handling tune is underway ahead of launch. If it lands right, the Tasman could seriously challenge the benchmark set by the Ranger and Amarok. Steering is light and consistent but not overly communicative. Kia has done well to isolate road shock, though that comes at the expense of some road feel. Still, for most ute buyers, comfort and predictability outweigh pure feedback. Serious Off-Road Credentials Off-road, the Tasman impressed. Ground clearance, wading depth, and traction systems are all up to spec. A rotary dial lets you toggle between 2H, 4H, 4A, and 4L – giving you full control over the drivetrain. Kia's off-road interface includes tyre pressure, pitch and roll monitoring, and a front-facing camera under the vehicle. There's also a terrain mode selector for snow, mud, sand, and rock – depending on your 4WD setting. One standout feature is the 'X-Track' low-speed off-road cruise control system. It manages throttle and braking automatically at speeds up to 6km/h, allowing drivers to focus solely on steering. We tested X-Track on a prepared off-road course in Korea, where it performed confidently – and it's the sort of feature that should shine in serious low-speed crawling back home. Fully prepared Kia might be late to the ute party, but they've shown up fully prepared. The Tasman brings fresh thinking to a well-trodden segment, combining genuine off-road ability with modern cabin comfort and standout tech. Yes, the styling is divisive, and the unladen ride on local roads needs refining – but both are solvable. Once local suspension tuning is complete, the Tasman has every chance of sitting among the segment leaders.
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Fully electric Hilux created to prove point
A Central Otago cherry grower is keen to put his new electric Toyota Hilux ute "to the test" to see how it compares with the original diesel workhorse. Tired of waiting for the market to deliver what he needed, Mike Casey, of Electric Cherries, took matters into his own hands, spearheading a project to convert a 1989 flat-deck ute using a battery from a Nissan Leaf. Mr Casey's six-year-old cherry orchard on the outskirts of Cromwell was certified fossil-free in 2022, but finding a fully electric, four-wheel-drive farm vehicle to haul gear around and do town runs had proved a challenge. "The big mover and shaker in this space is BYD with the BYD Shark, which is a plug-in hybrid that gets you about 80km on electric and then switches over to fossil fuels." But for a self-professed "massive advocate for electrification", a hybrid vehicle was not the end goal. "I'd been wanting to create a fully electric ute to kind of prove that the technology could exist and then asking some questions as to why it doesn't exist yet," Mr Casey said. "So I found a really good, old Hilux ...We took an old Nissan Leaf motor and basically slotted it into the gearbox of the Hilux ... then put a battery box under the tray." Mr Casey wanted to achieve the conversion as cheaply as possible. "You could spend a million dollars and create an electric Hilux, for sure, but that would be inaccessible to other people." Mr Casey — a former tech entrepreneur-turned orchardist — called on some mates to help handle parts of the mechanical side of the conversion, but the battery set-up itself was left well alone — it was high-voltage gear and not something to mess around with, he said. That job was left to James Hardisty, who has been applying engineering know-how to convert classic vehicles to electric from his Dunedin workshop for more than 15 years, before EVs were even being produced commercially in any volume. Mr Hardisty said by reusing the motor and other electronic components from the Leaf and coupling them with the transmission of the Hilux, the conversion was "a bit special". "We just had to fit a new brain in there — a new computer — that talks to all the existing components and makes them work again." Despite what people might assume, the Leaf motor brought more horsepower to the Hilux, Mr Hardisty said. "The motors are great, really reliable and really powerful ...[And] as a four-wheel-drive, it's really quiet and really controllable. "Mike's one was my prototype for making it cost-effective." According to Mr Hardisty, a roadblock for ute conversions was the move towards "oversized trucks". This conversion worked well because the ute was an older-school, compact, lightweight model, Mr Hardisty said. Mr Casey said there had been no shortage of feedback on the project, and he felt like there had been opportunities to "troll everybody". "There is so much identity and emotion tied up with those old Hiluxes in this country, especially in rural New Zealand ... You get to annoy the people who don't like big utes, you get to annoy the people who love big utes, and as a result you create something that's quite topical." The ute still needed to be road certified, and it was his view there was "a lot of red tape around conversions to be cut". "There's a lot of rules that were made a long time ago, before ... conversions were really an option, and they are just holding a lot of stuff back."
