1200 chase 28 jobs at new megastore
A staggering 1200 people applied for jobs at the new Bunnings Warehouse in Mount Maunganui - and there are still 28 positions to be filled.
Even though there were 10 times more applicants than jobs, the home improvement retailer was unable to fill all the
positions in the specialist plumbing, builders trade and builders hardware and tools departments.
Bunnings has extended applications to the end of the month to attract suitably qualified people. As well as offering customer service, these people are expected to provide expert advice in plumbing and building matters.
Bunnings is creating 110 new jobs in the 13,000 sq m retail and trade megastore on airport land in Jean Batten Drive.
The store, which opens on May 23, will pump about $2 million in wages into the local economy each year.
The total staff will grow to 120 after existing Benchmark Building Supplies employees move over from Mirrielees Rd.
As well as the big undercover retail area, the store will have a garden centre, trade drive-through, timber yard and parking for 260 vehicles.
Brad Cranston, general manager for Bunnings New Zealand, said the response to the recruitment drive had been fantastic.
It is the 10th Bunnings Warehouse in the country and further stores will open in Palmerston North and Whangarei. Graham Skellern
Gas line cut probed
A gas company investigation into the severing of a gas main, bringing Tauranga traffic to a stand still and blasting a digger driver, is still being carried out. A contractor ripped through a main gas line on April 26 at the intersection of of 14th Ave and Cameron Rd about 12.30pm.
The driver of the digger was blasted by the gas and dirt as he tried to move away. He was not injured.
Natural Gas Corporation spokesman Keith FitzPatrick said gas was rerouted through another pipe while the hole was repaired. He said hard questions would be asked of the contractors.
In other cases, expenses have been claimed from the contractors by the gas company. "We have to look at all the circumstances and we can claim for cost of fixing the line or compensation for lost gas." Kristin Edge
Praise for support
Joanne Galloway has been blown away by the support of the Western Bay community after a fire gutted the Papamoa house she was living in.
Dozens of people have come forward to donate household items, clothing and even cash to help out the solo mother.
The Bay of Plenty Times featured her story a fortnight ago when her rental home was gutted by fire. She and her five children lost everything except a broken-down car, the receiver of her cordless phone and the clothes they were wearing.
It took three minutes for her Emery Place home to become engulfed with flames after her call to emergency services. The uninsured beneficiary is overwhelmed by the Bay community's response.
The Papamoa Community Support Centre and St Vincent de Paul acted as collection points for locals wanting to help out - organisations Miss Galloway cannot thank enough.
The 36-year-old is currently living in a temporary rental home organised by friends and will take up tenancy with her original landlords once their insurance claim is settled and a home rebuilt.
Her landlords Nicky and Tony Ponder were on the long list of people she wanted to thank for support.
"It is not something you expect to happen, everyone has gone out of their way to help."
She was thankful to friend Vera Hindrupp, who witnessed the blaze; Mount Maunganui victim support service co-ordinator Claire Montague; the Salvation Army; three branches of The Warehouse; Red Shed Church; and all of her friends and supporters.
"It has been overwhelming. I have had support from so many people who have come forward. I am just speechless."
Miss Galloway extended thanks and gratitude to all those who have supported her and donated items through community centres. Anna Bowden
Home goes up with help
A Tauranga family who had given up hope of getting into their own home are almost ready to move in.
Derek and Tania Davies and their three children were struggling on a low income when worldwide organisation Habitat for Humanity chose them as recipients of a new house.
The Davies heard the good news at Christmas time and a group of volunteers flew over from the United States to get the project going in early March.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers help selected families build a house from scratch.
Aside from putting in "sweat equity" and $500 of their own money, no interest is charged on the family's subsequent mortgage repayments.
Mrs Davies wasn't sure when the home would be completed but she said with help from family and other Habitat for Humanity volunteers the building was progressing quickly.
She predicted the family may move in within a couple of months.
They have been spending every spare moment working on the house and have become DIY experts in the process.
"We could have our own TV show," said Mrs Davies.
She said working on the project took a huge amount of sweat and time. As well as building their own home in Mansels Rd, they are helping on other Habitat for Humanity projects in Te Maunga.
The Davies are having a working bee today to paint the inside of their new home. The final tasks before the family can move in will be completing the flooring and then getting the garden in order. Frances Morton