Special kiwi service for stranded tourist

Tourist Erika Suzuki back in Auckland after being stranded at Waitomo Caves. Photo /Jason Oxenham

A tearful Japanese tourist who missed her bus outside a rural New Zealand cave attraction is overwhelmed by the kindness of local people who came to her aid.

They even paid for a taxi to the nearest train station 14km away and a side trip to see a rare kiwi bird.

After a morning tour of the iconic Waitomo glowworm caves, Erika Suzuki, 23, of Tokyo, was waiting for a scheduled bus service to take her 200km to Auckland at the end of an eight-day New Zealand vacation.

One of her good samaritans, Limo Party Coach driver Des Young, said he saw the tall backpacker anxiously waiting and spoke to her.

This prompted an inquiry at the caves tour office and phone calls which established that on the last scheduled bus service for the day "the bus driver was missing one".

"She was upset when she realised she was stranded and the staff in the guide office went to comfort her," Mr Young said. "When you see a visitor stuck, I think you should help in their time of need. But I had my own tour party to take back to Auckland and we were tight for space, so I could not take her there."

Mr Young said he called up the best alternative - Bill Miller, a 53-year tourism veteran, who drove his Waitomo Shuttle coach out from Otorohanga.

"He paid her $12 fare to take her to catch the train at Otorohanga and gave her $5 for a cup of tea," said Mr Miller. "This girl was really upset but by the time I got her to Otorohanga, she was happy as Larry.

"I tried to console her by showing her kiwifruit and took her to the Otorohanga Kiwi House to see a kiwi bird, which she paid for."

Mr Miller said Mr Young should be commended for being honourable and helping a visitor.

"It's the visitors who put bread on our table," he said.

Miss Suzuki, who plans to be back at her job as a waitress in a Tokyo restaurant on Saturday, said she had stayed at Waitomo for two nights in order to see the Lost World Adventure and Glow Worm Cave.

"I felt very lonely waiting and this guy talked to me and he paid the taxi for me and gave me $5 to get a cup of tea, thank you.

"Bill the taxi driver was so nice and kept saying 'Don't worry, be happy' and told me jokes.

"I was nervous that I could miss the train, so I got there early and then Bill came back with gifts."

Miss Suzuki said that when she returned home she would give a glowing report of her trip.

"I don't want to talk about the bus going without me, so I will talk about interesting things and my thanks to these guys who were amazing."

InterCity Group's general manager of NZ Coachlines and Auckland Tourism Sam Peate said Miss Suzuki was booked to be picked up at 11.45am.

"Unfortunately, Erika did not present herself on time and the coach had to leave without her."