Deer joins roading crew on Route 52 job

This deer makes regular work-site visits to nose around the road crew. Photo / Christine McKay

Work on the reconstruction of Route 52 between Tiraumea and Alfredton, which was washed out last July, is progressing well despite delays because of the weather.

And helping the crews has been an extra staff member, who has been visiting the site over the past few months.

The deer has visited multiple times and been taken home just as many times and now considers himself one of the "blokes", popping into the on-site caravan for a pat while staff have been taking their morning tea breaks.

District councillor Andy Thompson wanted to know if the deer had filled out his IRD forms.

"And where is his high-vis jacket?" he asked.

Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis said she was just very pleased to see the deer alive and well.