In today’s headlines with Chereè Kinnear, David Seymour outlines expectations for Pharmac, new speed-camera signage and Tenacious D world tour gets halted.
Barring a Subway and a Wild Bean Cafe, there is very little when it comes to fast food.
But an application from Burger King and Starbucks to build two drive-through restaurants along the main street could change that.
Tīrau is known for its landmark corrugated iron buildings and signs, which are favourites for travellers to take photos with. Photo / Louise Ternouth, RNZ
The application to the South Waikato District Council was made late last year to demolish the existing houses on Main Road and build the two drive-through restaurants, which would open at 5am and close at 2am, seven days a week.
While it has been suggested the two restaurants could provide jobs for locals, Singh said he had been struggling to fill multiple vacancies for up to a year.
To fill the gaps, he was travelling 140km each day from his home in Pukekohe.
That was costing him up to $160 in petrol every three days, so he could work in the cafe to keep it open because he could not find local staff.
Down the road at the Cabbage Tree Cafe, manager Paul Andugula was echoing this concern.
“I have been here for seven years, so we’ve been struggling to get the staff in [from] the locals. Most of our chefs and our other staff, they are not locals at all.”
Cabbage Tree Cafe, in the small Waikato town of Tīrau. Photo / Louise Ternouth, RNZ
On the town’s main street there were mixed feelings about the fast-food giants possibly moving in.
One person told RNZ the two restaurants were not needed in Tīrau: “Tīrau’s pretty much known for - you know, its little cafes and its nice atmosphere.”
Another local said he did not think it would make much difference if the two restaurants came to town: “There’s already Subway there, so maybe it would fit in.”
Another woman who has lived in the town for 40 years said in 2010 the then-mayor had promised that Tīrau would keep its village vibe and uniqueness.
“Burger King and Starbucks coming here is going to totally destroy that, you know. Not in our town.”
Others were worried about more traffic.
The local council has posted a public notice advising of the application to set up a Burger King and a Starbucks in Tīrau. Photo / Louise Ternouth, RNZ
“During the summer, the traffic is backed back 5km up the road, and adding Burger King and Starbucks to it will just worsen the traffic problems at that end of town.”
While there is no shortage of cafes in Tīrau, after 4pm most of them had shut up shop, leaving just a fish and chip shop, The Black Oven pizza restaurant, and Subway, which all closed between 8 and 9pm and were not open seven days a week.
Local resident of almost 40 years Christina Phillips works at the local Fonterra Factory and said having a Burger King or Starbucks open from 5am to 2am would provide a vital late night option for hungry shift workers.
“You know, if you’re travelling through Tīrau around four or five or six o’clock, it’s a good food option and drink option and it would be marvellous for shift workers to have the availability of food while they’re on shift, to be able to just pop down and grab it without going to the other towns.”
According to its website, the closest Starbucks stores to Tīrau are in Hamilton and Tauranga. Hamilton and Te Awamutu have the closest Burger King restaurants.
Residents have until Friday July 26 to make a submission to the South Waikato District Council.
The South Waikato District Council told RNZ’s Checkpoint it was unable to comment on the matter until the submissions process was complete.
