Taking over one of Tauranga's best-known restaurants is "a dream come true" for experienced manager Peter Ward.
He and his wife, Anita, have bought Harbourside Waterfront Dining from Shane Armstrong, who owned the business at the southern end of The Strand for five years.
"The Harbourside has been here long enough to establish a reputation - the people of Tauranga consider it their restaurant, it has been well supported and we are delighted to keep providing the service," said Mr Ward.
The role as new owners won't be too daunting. They have managed the restaurant on behalf of Mr Armstrong for more than four years.
"I guess we've been in the right place at the right time," Mr Ward said. "When we first came here I rather hoped that we could buy in - maybe a shareholding. Shane wanted to have a bit of a change, and from the start of the year we've been talking about letting us buy him out."