Historic 'Old Truck' hits the road again for Tūrangi book launch
10 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Laurilee McMichael is editor of the Taupo & Turangi Weekenderlaurilee.mcmichael@nzme.co.nzTaupoWeekender
Residents of Te Herekiekie St, Tūrangi, will be treated on Saturday, March 13 to a double celebration — the launch of a children's picture book set in the 2004 Tongariro River flood, and the 100th birthday of the truck featured in the story.
Old Truck and the Flood is told from the viewpoint of 'Old Truck', a 1921 Model 10 Republic, trapped by the floodwaters in a garage on Te Herekiekie St.
The flood in February 2004 caused the Tongariro River to burst its banks at Te Herekiekie St, Tūrangi, with residents evacuated and an estimated 30 homes in the street inundated by floodwaters. Stopbanks were later constructed between the street end and the river.