Anton Romirer and his Hilux have been on plenty of adventures together.

Volunteer rescuer Anton Romirer has spent more than two decades helping people through some of the country’s toughest conditions, notably with the same 1994 Toyota Hilux for every callout.

By Chris Marshall

Taupō’s Romirer and his trusty “Sylvester” have completed hundreds of rescues together around the Central North Island, helping those trapped in snowstorms, by cyclones and during late-night search and rescue operations.

“It’s impossible to replace. Even if I bought another vehicle, I would never sell this Hilux.”

Romirer purchased the Hilux in January 2000 from Toyota Thames and has spent years modifying it for snow, rock and off-road driving, with many of those upgrades later proving invaluable during rescue operations.

The Hilux now features raised suspension, underbody armour, upgraded electrical systems and a rear canopy designed to safely transport people through extreme conditions.

The vehicle is also registered as an ambulance for rescue operations.

Despite nearly 900,000 kilometres on the clock, the Hilux still runs its original motor.

Romirer says careful maintenance, regular servicing and using Toyota genuine parts have helped keep the Hilux running reliably for nearly three decades.

“The body is original. The motor is original,” he says.

One of the most significant rescues came during the 2009 snowstorm on the Napier Taupō Road, when hundreds of vehicles became stranded overnight.

“We got called at 8pm to rescue people on the highway.

“The army couldn’t get through the snow. Fulton Hogan couldn’t get through. But we’d just completed snow training exercises, and they knew what we were capable of.”

Over 14 hours, Romirer and fellow volunteers helped rescue about 1,500 stranded people.

Alongside his Civil Defence and four-wheel drive rescue work, Romirer has also used the Hilux to support amputees through off-road experiences across the Central Plateau.

After taking a close friend who lost his leg to diabetes four-wheel driving to lift his spirits, Romirer helped establish trips through the four-wheel drive community to give amputees access to remote parts of New Zealand they may never otherwise experience.

“It’s amazing seeing people get out there again. Places they never thought they’d see.”

For Romirer, Sylvester has become far more than a vehicle.

“My dogs are family. My partner is family. And my Hilux is family too,” he says.

“It’s been through everything with me, including the highs and the lows. I work Sylvester hard, but I look after it too.

“It’s never ever let me down.”