Doors to close at pet store

Wayne and Joy Moran, along with Alex the hand-reared Alexanderine parrot, are closing the doors of Whangarei Pet & Aquarium in the new year after 17 years. Alex has been part of the business from the very beginning. Photo / John Stone

Thirty years ago Wayne and Joy Moran bought some budgies in a cute little hexagonal aviary. They then upgraded to a larger aviary and got cockatiels and quails.

The Morans didn't know at the time but this would lead them to establish a thriving business in Northland.

When Wayne had a motorbike accident in 1992 their lives changed course.

They already had well established aviaries on their section and a friend suggested they sell birds and accessories from home.

So the couple started a little weekend business in their garage in 1994. The garage housed the car at night and Otaika Bird Supplies by day.

This proved so popular they had to open up during the week as well. Another friend suggested why not add fish? So in went some fish tanks and they became Otaika Bird and Fish Centre.

The little enterprise kept growing until the Morans decided to move, in 1999, to 14 Maunu Rd where the business eventually became Whangarei Pet & Aquarium Centre.

"We had now become a pet shop selling a wide range of pets," Joy said.

"We had built up a great deal of knowledge on breeding and hand rearing birds and became well known as the bird shop.

"Although now we have both got qualifications from the Mahurangi Institute, Wayne in Aquatics and Joy in Cats. We have kept birds, lizards, tropical and coldwater fish, marines, seahorses, frogs, turtles, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, chinchillas, puppies
and kittens.

"Along the way we learnt pets and their owners need compassion and a friendly ear, children like to be included in conversations, rewarded for good behaviour with lollipops and people generally like to get some advice and have a laugh.

"Over the time there have been lots of changes in our industry and to retail in general. During the early days of the recession it was hard work to keep going and full credit to our landlord who supported us."

However this journey will come to a close sometime in January once as much of the remaining stock is sold in a closing down sale which starts today. They decided to close after being unsuccessful finding a buyer.

"We would like to say thank you to our extremely loyal customers, whose children we have seen grow up and everyone who supported us in the business. We have always tried to do our best to help people and remain a specialist shop," Joy said.