Local taxi driver Hem Chand has learned greetings in eight different languages so he can talk to international visitors. Photo/Stephen Parker
Local taxi driver Hem Chand is the embodiment of Rotorua manaakitanga, learning greetings in eight different languages to help make international visitors feel welcome.
"To say hello, how are you, goodbye, these things carry weight," he told the Daily Post.
"The main thing is a taxi driver should know at least English. Languages are a plus point for me."
Mr Chand has learned basic phrases such as "hello", "thank you" and "where are you going" in languages such as Chinese, French, German and Japanese.
"My motive is that I am a talkative guy - I talk a lot.
"If someone's 75 years old, you wait for them to sit down before you go and make sure they remember everything. My mum is 90 years old and I know they forget things."
One thing he said he strongly disapproved of was drivers talking on their phones with a passenger in the cab.
"That's annoying, that's rude," he said.
He also ensured he always thanked his customers, whatever the language.