Last effort to save iconic cafe

It may be on the verge of demolition but determined campaigners are still trying to save the run-down Summit Cafe at the top of Rimutaka Hill Road, between the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa.

Despite today being the deadline for the old cafe's owner to clear away the remains of the business, and the building being in a poor state, Carterton Mayor Gary McPhee still held out hope the iconic site could be saved.

Mr McPhee has made a plea for the Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa and Upper Hutt city councils to come together to rescue the building, the Wairarapa Times Age reported.

"It could be the best site in New Zealand for an information centre and my personal feeling is that the councils should combine to buy it," he said.

The summit was a place travellers would always stop if there were proper facilities, he said.

"To me it's a business opportunity missed."

- NZPA