Guide gets buzz from entertaining

Catherine Woulfe
Telling locals about Napier's Art Deco history is the trickiest part of being a volunteer guide, says second-time Onekawa man Peter Ball.
After moving back to Hawke's Bay in October 2003, Peter became involved with volunteer training in May last year and went solo in November.
The summer had been fairly hectic, but the six months of training had been "very relaxed and easy", and Peter even pitched in with extra homework - a stack of coffee-table history books on Napier's heritage.
It was the simplicity and mechanical edge to Art Deco that he enjoyed, but "the biggest buzz is getting a reaction from the people and knowing that you have entertained them, imparted a bit of knowledge - generally having a fun time".
Peter worked in Onekawa between 1968 and 1973, then his job as a radio engineer took him to Gisborne, Wellington, and Western Samoa.
He and wife Helen were living in Paraparaumu when their interest in moving back to Napier was piqued during a petanque tournament held here.
"Napier had flourished and grown and changed so much," he said.
Paraparaumu was getting a wee bit small, and the couple "wanted a city with lots of activities, but not too big and not too small - Napier just had that pull on us. It had to be Napier."
Now, he's proud to show visitors the sights, but gets a bit nervous if he knows locals are in the crowd.
So far, there haven't been too many tricky questions - just the odd blank or "senior moment", Peter grins.
And he says the Art Deco Trust provide plenty of information for guides to take out on their walks, so they're never lost for words.
Walks coordinator Anne Corney is on the lookout for about 20 more volunteers.
"If there's the slightest bit of interest, contact me," she said. Guides of any age and stage were welcome, but they had to be "people people", with a sense of fun and enthusiasm, and energy to burn.
"You don't have to run a marathon," Anne said, but tourists were there to be entertained, not lectured. Call the Art Deco Trust on (06) 835-0022 for information.