Hawke's Bay gannet guide celebrating 25 years

Last year was the first time Graham Riach had ever seen a gannet land on one of the vehicles. Photo / Supplied

From the scenery to the birds themselves, Graham Riach loves everything there is about being a driver for Gannet Safaris Overland, so much so, that this year he celebrates 25 years with the company.

There's no sign of the 76-year-old stepping down just yet either.

"Driving is something I look forward to every year. I'll keep doing it as long as I'm able."

Graham Riach has been driving tourists to see the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony with Gannet Safaris Overland for 25 years. Photo / Supplied

What started out as a casual role, filling in for the occasional driver, while working running his own tourism company, soon turned into a fulltime role for Riach.

He said making the drive to the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony each year between September 1 and April 30, was "second nature" as a country kid.

"It was only two-wheel drive back [when I started]."

These days the vehicles all come with four-wheel drive.

He said seeing people's reactions to the scenery and to the birds was a special part of the job.

"I enjoy meeting the people. Time and time again I get comments about going over that land, the views and the scenery are spectacular. The birds just make it."

Riach said it was fascinating to watch the birds over the course of the season – stating with just 50 birds at the start to a peak of more than 6000 breeding pairs of birds.

There are about 6000 gannet pairs at the Cape Kidnappers colony. Photo / Supplied

"They're real lovebirds. The way they rub their beaks and necks together to make sure they've matched with the right partner is great to see. I love watching them."

From watching coupled up birds build their nests, to seeing the egg hatch and watching chicks make their first flight to Australia at just 4 months, Riach has seen it all.

"When you think about those birds and what they go through, they are just amazing."

Every season was different from the one before, he said.

Increased tourism from the local cruise ships had seen numbers grow, accounting for about 20 per cent of all visitors, with international tourists making up half, and domestic tourists the other 30 per cent.

This year's season started a slightly earlier with warmer weather and sea temperatures bringing the gannets home sooner.

Despite slightly smaller numbers due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, the team was still gearing up for a busy season.

This season will also see the first Gannet Safaris Overland Christmas Day tour, which will include champagne and a few other treats at the top with the birds.