Lake Waikaremoana in the Urewera National Park is one of Hawke's Bay's tourism jewels, but for its local population making a living requires a fair amount of initiative and entrepreneurship.
And it doesn't take long to realise those are a few of the qualities Waipatu Winitana has, with the gift of the gab a key asset when it comes to making a living off the land.
Waipatu had been working for the Animal Health Board but, about four years ago, decided to look for another job so he could spend time with his new family.
"I had a call from a local tour operator who knew me and wanted help moving some walkers around the lake," he said.
"So I did it and then he kept calling me again for help. So I asked if we could make a more permanent arrangement and he said 'yes'."
It led to a three-year partnership and the birth of Waipatu's tourism shuttle service before he decided to go it alone.
In recent years, there has been intense competition from tourism and accommodation operators but, in the long term, Waipatu hopes for a more united approach to service what is a niche market, and one which brings vital income to the local economy.
Waipatu says he has a good relationship with the Department of Conservation staff who manage the national park and has learned how to access prospective customers through i-Site shops.
"But I think in the past three to four years the number of visitors has dropped off a bit. We were probably getting about 10,000 during the season - now it's more like 6000," he said.
Rates for accommodation vary and some operators, in Waipatu's opinion, may have over-invested in areas such as water taxis, which provide direct competition. But sometimes the economics of running a boat compared with a van work in his favour.
"Most of my business comes from word of mouth," Waipatu says. "I don't have a minimum fee - it doesn't matter whether it's one person or 10, the important thing is how you talk to people and the experience you give them.
"That is worth a lot more in the long term because word gets around and that's how business is done."
Waipatu's business is now called Route 38 Waikaremoana Shuttles, named after State Highway 38 which winds from Wairoa west towards Lake Waikaremoana, past Tuai where Waipatu grew up, and Kuha Pa where he now lives.
The road heads around the northern boundary of the lake and north to connect with State Highway 5, between Taupo and Rotorua. The stretch of road is the talk of the district, with well-known plans promoted by Wairoa Mayor Les Probert to seal it to improve the tourist route from the thermal region to his northern Hawke's Bay town.
"But for me the road is part of the character and experience of the lake and the park," Waipatu says.
"What I would like to see is the road sealed from Wairoa to Onepoto up to the lake, to help people travel to Wairoa."
He acknowledges Wairoa is the East Coast gateway to the lake and therefore warrants more investment. A better road could lift visitor and business interest from the Gisborne/East Coast region.
"There is a lot we could do with Wairoa to get it going in terms of tourism," he says.
"It's not a bad town. It has a lot of potential there with the river and walks down to the sea.
"I think a lot could be done and I'd like to be involved in that somehow."
The former DoC visitor information centre on the lake also needs to be saved from being condemned, he says.
"A report was done and Doc says it needs to be pulled down but that centre was designed by John Scott, one of our prominent Maori architects.
"While it doesn't have historic value, it does have a significant value with its connections to John Scott and it's something special that adds to the whole character of the area."
The major attraction is the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, a 46km three to four-day tramping track, managed by DoC.
It is the walk which generates most business for tourist operators. Most of Waipatu's customers come from the Rotorua side of the lake and a small number from the Wairoa side.
"People come here looking for peace and the solitude of the national park and the lake - they want to enjoy something that is old but pristine," Waipatu says.
"They want to get away from the hustle and bustle of their normal lives and have some time to think about other things.
"What I want to be able to do is take them to a walk and see the smiles on their faces when I pick them up at the end of the day."
Wairoa iSite manager Sally Simpson's recommendations:
Lake Waikaremoana: The Great Walk, located in the south-west corner of the 212,673 hectare Te Urewera National Park, is a 46 kilometre, three to four day tramp, around the shore of the lake. Access through State Highway 38.
Mahia Peninsula: Well-known by Hawke's Bay people for its beaches which provide opportunities for fishing, diving, surfing, walks and family holidays. Access through State Highway 2, via Nuhaka/Opoutama Rd.
Morere Hot Springs: Natural mineral hot pools and scenic reserve, one of our off-the-track thermal bathing attractions. Access through State Highway 2, north of Nuhaka, between Wairoa and Gisborne.
Te Reinga Falls Scenic Reserve: A walk and lookout viewing the falls, where the Hangaroa and Ruakituri rivers combine to form the Wairoa River. Access via State Highway 36, Tiniroto Rd and Ruakituri Rd.
Wairoa Museum: The museum has about 8000 visitors a year and, in the summer, more than half are from out of the Wairoa district or from overseas. Current exhibition is by Wairoa artist Valeta Mathias and is entitled The Whakapono, images which reflect her Ngati Pahauwera connections and history of her iwi. Located on Marine Parade, Wairoa