Flat out at Flat Hills

A former Manawatu couple who used to drive buses to Flat Hills Tourist Park are now welcoming buses as owners of the tourism complex.
James and Emma Snelgrove took over the complex, near Mangaweka, on September 1.
Now the couple are renovating the complex.
That work includes fencing, establishing a picnic area, improving the stockyards, creating four concrete bus bays, improving toilet facilities, replanting gardens, regravelling and tidying areas of the property and painting and staining of the restaurant and bar building.
James said he had previously driven for Magic Travellers' Network, a company operating out of Auckland, and had stopped at Flat Hills on a weekly basis.
"It has a neat atmosphere and was home away from home," he said.
Emma was similarly familiar with the complex as a driver, although more lately she was school teaching.
The complex has its own gift shop, a maze and a jet boat, while animals are another attraction.
There are pet sheep (Pip and Lambchop), pet chickens, pet roosters, pet bobby calves, a pet emu and a huntaway (Harry) in training.
The complex operates seven days a week, usually from 8am to 5pm, and has a staff of eight to 10 rostered over seven days, with students for added measure in school holidays.
The kitchen and restaurant can be busy, with up to four coaches, normally 50-seaters, a day calling.
James and Emma said their staff were awesome in being long-serving and making the place run.
"They can turn a coach around within 25 minutes."
Students in the holidays at the complex were also good and hard-working.
The bar area is mainly used for social functions, with Flat Hills also catering for private functions, while an outside barbecue area is also popular.
Emma and James said groups travelled from as far away as Palmerston North for a day at the complex and their excursion could include a package of, say, jet sprinting and a barbecue. There was a range of options.
Similarly, there is a wide range of food on the menu, including an all-day breakfast offering bacon, eggs, hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms, chips and sausages.
Staff make paninis, muffins, sandwiches, cake, bacon and egg pie, quiche and soup on the premises, with vegetable soup one of the biggest sellers.
Flat Hills is a family attraction. For example, in rural surroundings, away from the main highway, mum and dad can relax over afternoon tea, say, while the children can observe the animals.
The jet boating on the world's first commercial jet sprint course is a special attraction for thrill seekers. The jet boat travels around islands after quickly reaching a high speed.