New owners are familiar faces at Harbourside

Taking over one of Tauranga's best-known restaurants is "a dream come true" for experienced manager Peter Ward.

He and his wife, Anita, have bought Harbourside Waterfront Dining from Shane Armstrong, who owned the business at the southern end of The Strand for five years.

"The Harbourside has been here long enough to establish a reputation - the people of Tauranga consider it their restaurant, it has been well supported and we are delighted to keep providing the service," said Mr Ward.

The role as new owners won't be too daunting. They have managed the restaurant on behalf of Mr Armstrong for more than four years.

"I guess we've been in the right place at the right time," Mr Ward said. "When we first came here I rather hoped that we could buy in - maybe a shareholding. Shane wanted to have a bit of a change, and from the start of the year we've been talking about letting us buy him out."

Mr Armstrong, who started the Grumpy Mole Saloon franchise, also recently sold the Lone Star family restaurant on The Strand.

Mr Ward said he would not be making many changes to the Harbourside - Mr Armstrong refurbished it when he bought it from Jack and Nancy Hogg in September 2006.

From the start of November, the Wards will be producing a broader menu to extend their customer base. "We want to have a bit more to offer - lighter, casual dishes as well as the three-course meals," said Mr Ward. "We call it smart dining with contemporary New Zealand European food.

"We'll have a couple of extra cuts of prime steak because that's becoming popular again," he said.

The Harbourside, which seats 120, employs a team of 24 including six chefs - head chef is Graeme Woods - and up to 14 serving in the restaurant. A private dining area, Brancott Room, takes up to 20 guests.

The Wards have worked at six other bars and restaurants in Tauranga over the past 10 years - Tapa Tapa and the bar now named Cornerstone Pub on The Strand, Collar & Thai in Goddards Centre, Astrolabe in downtown Mount Maunganui, Imbibe at Bayfair and Simply Irresistible Cafe at Sulphur Point.

Originally from Auckland, the Wards moved to Whakatane and helped manage the Source video chain. They then moved to Tauranga 13 years ago and first operated their own video store at the Mount. They sold that and switched back into hospitality - Mr Ward was a cook who had previously worked in restaurants in London and Australia.