Dave Hunger is a farmer and inventor based in Stratford, who used to run the Fernbrooke Farm Amusement Park. Over the years, he has built an impressive collection of fantastical penny farthings, a trebuchet (a medieval-inspired catapult), and awe-inspiring rides. But our favourite is the 'Nike Bikie,' a pushbike with a front wheel made of old sneakers.
Dave told us some of his favourite things about Stratford:
1.What's fresh and new in your town?
Stratford has just secured government funding toward a brand-new swimming pool, and the AMP Showgrounds are also looking at expanding with an equestrian area and a motor-racing area, which will make us the hub of Taranaki.
2. Tell us something people don't know about your hometown.
A hundred years ago there was a wacko dentist called Kick-a-Boo Hunter who turned out to be unqualified. He'd extract teeth with his fingers. He was such a showman, people would come to watch him work on patients.
3.How do you stay fresh in summer?
The Patea River flows through Stratford, and there's a really good swimming hole behind the Scout den. They're about to release rainbow trout into the hole so you can take your kids fishing there.
4.Is there a must-see landmark when making a pit stop at your hometown?
The mountain is cool of course. There's a big glockenspiel clock on the main street. Stratford is based around Shakespeare so all the roads are named after Shakespearean characters!
5.What's your favourite Subway® sub and where in town do you like to eat it?
I'm a Chicken Teriyaki man. I like to take the grandkids to the playground and the kids play there while we eat. We also go to the Malone Gates, which are named after Colonel Malone, a WW1 hero from Stratford who died at Gallipoli. There are big ornate gates into our park, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Stratford white fantail, the wild piwakawaka.
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