By Kim Choe
Fire has destroyed New Zealand's northernmost petrol station just before the start of the tourist season.
The Waitiki Landing station is also the lifeline of a small community and residents now face long journeys to get basic supplies.
Its electrical system caught fire early on Saturday morning. With the nearest fire crew more than half an hour away, the building, its petrol pumps and all of its Labour Weekend stock were destroyed in 15 minutes.
"On Friday we bought in and stocked up a whole lot of the stuff we need for Labour Weekend, which is coming up," says Carl Pascoe, operations manager. "Literally, our potato chips, a big drinks order, all of our fishing tackle."
The station and general store were the commercial heart of the Far North community, and the 500 residents of nearby Te Hapua relied on it for day-to-day essentials.
"The milk and the bread is all fresh, whereas I'd have to travel to Kaitaia," says Sandra Marsh, "and I can't go there very often, it's too far."
There are plans to open a temporary store in the holiday park's restaurant next door ,but it's the lack of petrol that's more worrying.
The Waitiki station's petrol supplier Gasoline Alley says it will take several weeks to get makeshift pumps up and running, which will cause headaches for everyone.
"DoC have to sometimes fill up with diesel here so they can do their work," says Mr Pascoe. "We've got local contractors who use this for diesel supply, locals who need a bit of gas to get to town."
This station was the last before Cape Reinga. It's already caught some tourists out, and unfortunately, the nearest working petrol station is nearly 50km away.
Waitiki Landing locals now have to drive half an hour south to a petrol station at Houhora. But it's due to close at the end of October and when that happens, the closest station will be at Awanui, another 20 minutes away from here.
3 News
source: newshub archive
