Couple cycle into a new business

The former Arrowtown couple who now own a Kaikohe motel say the cycle trail under construction across the Mid North was one of their reasons for buying the business.
Pou Herenga Tai, or the Coast to Coast Cycle Trail, will eventually stretch from Horeke in South Hokianga to Opua in the Bay of Islands and sees its first official cycle event on May 29.
The new owners of the Mid North Motor Inn, Lindal and Michelle Ngata, say the cycleway helped persuade them to move to Northland.
Mr Ngata said he had seen how the Central Otago Rail Trail, a cycleway which now attracts 20,000 visitors a year, had changed towns along the route.
"A lot of the townships down there were dead but they're thriving now. The cycle trail's not the only thing behind it, but it's definitely done well for them.
"We knew a cycleway was being built up here and that Kaikohe would be the halfway point. It's exciting to be involved in the infancy of this one," he said.
Mr Ngata said most guests at the inn were contractors, sale reps and conference attendees, but he expected the number of tourists staying in Kaikohe would increase, especially once the trail hit the 60km mark and cyclists wanted to break their journey.
Most of the people using the Otago trail were Kiwis, and he expected people from Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty would make up the bulk of riders on the coast-to-coast trail. While some said Mid North scenery was not as dramatic as Otago's, Mr Ngata said it was unique nonetheless and was rich in history, even the 13km leg from Kaikohe to Okaihau due to open on May 29.
Before summer rolls around the Ngatas hope to make the inn a "bike-friendly safe haven for cyclists and their bits and pieces".
They plan to start small with three or four bikes for hire, a drying room and spa pool to soothe sore muscles.
Mr Ngata said he was surprised he hadn't heard more talk about the trail, but he wanted to be prepared.
The Ngatas moved to Kaikohe last month with children Jayde, 15, Te-Ana, 12, and Hoani, 7, after previously working in Queenstown, Invercargill and Japan.
They had been looking for an accommodation business they could run as a family when they stumbled on the Mid North Motor Inn, which includes a restaurant, bar, conference room and campervan facilities. The Ngatas are of Ngati Porou and Ngai Tahu descent.
The 13km Mayoral Challenge bike ride on May 29 starts at Two Ponga Park, Okaihau, at 10am and follows the cycle trail to Kaikohe. The event is free with registration from 9am on the day or in advance by calling 0800 920 029.
Prizegiving will be held at the Mid North Motor Inn, Kaikohe, with new bikes among the spot prizes. The inn is holding a dine and dance on the Saturday night with a buffet and live music from the Titanics; on Sunday it hosts a roast.