Young fan to work as radio DJ

Thomas Mengel will be working for Radio Ponsonby. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Thomas Mengel's dream of being able to buy a ticket to the Rugby World Cup looks set to become a reality.

Eight-year-old Thomas. who wrote a letter to the editor of the Herald, which represented the hopes of thousands who find ticket prices to some matches out of reach, has been offered a job for two hours each Sunday as a DJ.

Luke Dallow, owner of Auckland bars Sale St and Chapel Bar, read the story on yesterday's front page and got in touch with Thomas to offer him a job at the radio station he launched two weeks ago, Radio Ponsonby.

Mr Dallow, who recalls going door to door in South Auckland selling $2 bottles of shampoo for spending money when he was 11, is a firm believer in working for what you want.

Although Thomas' parents could afford to buy him a ticket, his mother, Annette Mengel, wanted to teach him about the value of money.

So, from 7am until 9am each Sunday for the next 10 weeks, Thomas will present the children's show on the station, 107.7FM.

He will be paid $20 for each shift.

Thomas, who has been saving money by holding garage sales, saving his pocket money and doing odd jobs for people, said it was awesome to know he would be able to buy his ticket - although he only needs half of the $390 it will cost because his father is paying for the other half.

Mrs Mengel said Thomas, although shy with the media attention yesterday, was a natural performer who would love being on the show.

"I think it's great. It's an amazing opportunity. It's good for him to do some work and save some money for his ticket instead of it just being given to him."

Mr Dallow said that once Thomas had finished working at the station, he would look for another child who was also trying to save money to fill his place.

The Herald was inundated with offers of support for Thomas, including from some readers who wanted to give the money towards his ticket and others who offered him payment for jobs such as cleaning a car.

Mr Dallow set up the community-based radio station with friends Mike Marshall, George FM founder Thane Kirby and Gerard Curtice because, after more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, it was a new challenge.

"We've never done it before so we thought we'd give it a crack."

Meanwhile, Rugby World Cup organisers have defended the price of tickets.

"First and foremost we want kids and families coming to Rugby World Cup," spokesman Shane Harmon said.

"We've introduced children's tickets to 41 out of 48 matches. We looked at the experience from 2007 in France where there were no kids' prices at all so we just wanted to make sure that a World Cup experience was within the reach of every Kiwi."

Mr Harmon said there were plenty of opportunities for children to attend games including a three-game package at North Harbour Stadium for $60.