By: Lizzie Errington18th May 2026 10:14AMThe following comments were shared on a post on the Upper Hutt Heritage Facebook page on May 16, 2026:

Owen Mataiti - "Uncle Etu on the left!"

Kiri Kara - "I recognise Dave Laban (I think), my dad Jim Kara was a foreman there and worked for 30 years at Trentham plant on Body Shop I think, My uncle More Strickland was there too and brother Hemi Kara..."

Kevin Marshall - "The bus driver front right."
Rodney Flood - "Alex Butler".
Rodney Flood - "Next to him looks like Colin Gardner and Maori guy Howie".

James Pita - "Yes I do Hemi and I worked side by side I was the left side frame spot welder for the doors Hemi made the wheel arch for me awesome job back then.I worked there for 8 years."

Kim Somerville - "Also worth a mention were the workers also in GM Fire Brigade. I went to many competitions. They were up against professional firies who worked in the brigades... But our GM team were the absolute bomb at it. Considering they only had limited 'practise' times ... our boys were a force alright, Mark Cowan,Ta Unuia ... cant remember the other names".

Rose Vailima - "My late husband Mei worked till the last day seeing all in his department was left in a good state..."

Orsognia Moeahu - "Rose Vailima worked with Mei in the bodyshop spot welding he was our union delegate I was on the main Base he used to tell us to slow right down with Roger Wyness watching us".

Philip Stewart - "Is that Robbie rat on the left side a couple in?"

Steve Nightingale - "...remember them all by face. I was in the Toolroom and these guys were just outside. Dave Laban is still around. GM'S were a big workforce and great community of diverse people and cultures."

Louise Mellor - "Gosh some great memories there. Thanks for sharing lots of Featherstonians worked there back in the day. Probably 4 of more bus loads of workers from the Wairarapa."

Paul Robinson - "Louise Mellor I think my dad said there were 7-8 buses from the Wairarapa in the 70s".