Stop and look at that town instead of whizzing through

By CATHY ARONSON

Ngatea, home of 4914 country folk, where tractors drive down the main road and locals can park outside their favourite store.

Ngatea, on State Highway 2, halfway between Auckland and Tauranga, where Auckland's student radio station 95bfm becomes Bay of Plenty's Classic Hits 95BOPfm.

On a long weekend it resembles Auckland's Southern Motorway. Locals have to walk to their favourite store, queue to get a cup of tea or stay home to make way for the fly-by visitors. Not that many of the locals mind. Most have become accustomed to the long weekend rush and adjust their routines without a second thought.

Yesterday, 73-year-old Bev Fisher was stocking up for the weekend at the local Four Square supermarket.

"I always get in before the holidays," she said. "You can't get anything done when the town fills up. But that's OK, I'm an old bird and I'm not in a hurry. I've got all week."

It took her five minutes to get to town. In the weekend it could take her 20 minutes. Not that she is in a hurry, but she does not like driving in heavy traffic.

"Oh, all those cars make me nervous, I'd rather stay at home," she said.

The sudden and brief transformation of the town from home to highway does not seem to bother most locals. Two elderly ladies, who want to be known only as the Lionesses, say it offers a bit of excitement in the town.

"You get to see lots of different kinds of people. Most don't stick around, it's mainly through-traffic," said one.

The other added: "No, we don't mind at all. The traffic can get a bit noisy so we just close the french doors and you wouldn't know the difference. We are getting used to the noise."

Ngatea manages to catch some of the traffic with a fine selection of traveller's essentials.

It has the first public toilet stop for many a mile from Auckland, one of the country's largest gem stores, an antique store, beautiful water gardens and cappuccino.

The owners of the Copper Kettle tearooms, Terry Burman and Dennis Hay, are in charge of promoting the town and do so with zest.

Mr Burman said his patronage could climb from an average 800 a day to 2000, with queues out the door on a long weekend.

"Today there's a tractor and a truck on the road and a couple of cars parked here and there," he said. "This time tomorrow it'll look like Auckland's Southern Motorway."

But the shops are prepared for the rush. They hire extra staff and stay open for longer.

The townsfolk, like Mrs Fisher, are prepared as well. "I'm not coming out again until Tuesday," she said resolutely.