Normans Motors

Normans Bus and Coach was a family owned business spanning four generations originating in Hikurangi in 1927. Joe Norman Senior, after a mining accident in 1923, was unable to go back to work in the same capacity. He went into partnership with Bob Brown with two seven seater cars - the Grande Rio Bus Company was born. They used these vehicles to transport miners and people alike to and from Whangarei to the mines.

Photo: Norman Family

In 1928 Bob Brown died and Joe's eldest son Hodgeson joined the company followed a year later by the younger son Joe Junior. This brought about the change of name to J Norman and Sons.

Photo: Norman Family

Over the years the business grew and on November 4th 1936 the business became an official limited liability company whereupon they changed the name yet again to Normans Motors Limited.

Diamond T Number 3 Photo: Norman Family

During the war the business flourished as there was no other transport available and they moved into doing war and school runs and increased the size of their buses from 7 to 12 seaters.

By 1940 brothers Hodge and Joe Junior were running the business and in 1945 with the war ended the buses continued with mine and school runs. In 1955 the mine closed and by this time Hodge had died and his son Little Joe had joined the business.

Photo: Norman Family

In 1963 Eric, Joe Juniors son bought out Joey (Little Joe) and it was him who re-located the business to Winger Cress in Kamo. The buses grew and the larger premises were perfect. By 19xx. Eric owned a fleet of xx Buses.

Diamond T

Bedford SB - NZMB makers photo (Robin McGonigal Collection)

The companies main income was from Education Board School Bus runs serving Whangarei District and coastal areas.

In 1990 Eric's sons Robert and Pete joined the business; Robert leaning the business and Pete following in his dads footsteps learning the Trade, as Master Panelbeater Old school.

In 2009 Pete met and married Nikki and Normans Motors Limited was then bought and passed onto the 4th generation Norman.

Photo: Norman Family

Normans Bus and Coach was born, moving to purpose built premises in 18 Springs Flat Road, Kamo. In the early 2010's Normans sold their school runs and a number of buses to Ritchies. Some tour and charter vehicles were retained, with a final auction held on site 29 July 2017. At the auction were a Diamond T (#7) and an SB Bedford owned since new by the company, along with the only Leader bus in NZ.

Diamond T Number 7

Leader and Bedford SB