Editorial: Yes, we're hospitable sorts in NZ

It's called 'word of mouth', the most valuable ... reference of them all.SIX years ago I enjoyed a convivial hour with a bunch of visiting Brits.

There were three or four Englishmen, two or three Scots, a couple of Irish and a solitary Welshman ... who asked the barman, "Do you serve miners (minors) in this fine bar?"

They were Lions supporters, and despite the fact the team weren't playing here had decided to veer off the beaten track to visit the sights of the Bay.

"We've heard so much about it," Andy, a North Yorkshireman, told me. "And they're right - this is a nice place," he said.

They were excellent company, and despite the fact I was in work time and doing a story about them I succumbed to just the one pint with them. Well, I had to ... I felt obliged.

Andy asked if I could send a few copies of the article on to the hotel in Auckland they were headed for, and I accordingly did. I sent copies to all the chaps, and about a month later got an email from Andy, back in the UK, thanking me. He hadn't really expected to get them - he didn't think I would have bothered. I was delighted ... more so when he suggested, "If you're ever in Ripon ..."

On another occasion, when the cricketing Barmy Army were here, I drove a couple of very tanked blokes back to their motel after they couldn't get a taxi. Just seemed the thing to do.

And a colleague told me this week how he helped a couple of French visitors use our unfamiliar ATMs. Another drove a couple of Canadians back to their hotel from the ground.

Then I heard yesterday about the generosity of Napier man Malcolm Reid. A visiting Welsh rugby fan's rental car had expired and was told it would take five hours to get another one sorted ... meaning he would miss the Wales vs Samoa game he was heading to Hamilton for.

So Malcolm took the bloke home and he and his wife whipped up a pork roast for him. And a few beers. And a comfortable seat in the living room to watch the game on television.

Unfortunately for Malcolm it meant he couldn't go to see Canada play France at McLean Park, which he had a ticket for. But hey, he described missing the game as "nothing". Far better to give a visitor in distress some hospitality ... a welcome mat.

The Welshman was overwhelmed, and has publicly described Malcolm and Bev's hospitality as "unmatchable".

He will take that view, and the story of what happened, with him for the rest of his days, and people will hear about that friendly couple in that friendly little place on the other side of the world.

It's called "word of mouth", the most valuable and personal reference of them all.

Malcolm is an automotive technician, but he's also an ambassador.

That's something, when the occasion arises, we should all aspire to be.