Goa is all go for Whanganui

READY, STEADY GOA: Whanganui business owner John West with his wife Kelly take a ride with Mike McMaster in the driver's seat. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY

A vehicle that draws inspiration from the popular Asian motorised rickshaw is set to provide cheap, easy transport for Whanganui.

The Kiwi Goa was on show at Saturday's Christmas Parade and Whanganui man John West aims to run it as a business offering a cheaper alternative the taxis.

"It's much cheaper and runs extremely comfortably - it essentially just like driving in a car," Mr West said.

The Kiwi-built vehicle - based on the "tuk-tuks" which have become prevalent running tourists around major Asian cities - turned quite a few heads at the parade.

"At the Christmas Parade we were just blown away by the responses we were getting," mr West said.

"People were saying 'That's cool' and asking when they could get a ride."

The Goa is power by Suzuki Swift motor and cruises comfortably at 90km/h.

Mr West originally wanted to get a "tuk-tuk" service running in Whanganui. He went so far as to import an original from Asia but it didn't meet New Zealand safety standards.

Word spread about his idea and a friend introduced him to Auckland entrepreneur Mike McMaster who was already designing a similar roadworthy alternative.

"It was a coincidence we both meet at the right time and we decided to team up."

The Kiwi Goa is fully enclosed and comes with seatbelts for all three passengers.

The official launch of the business will be in the next few days with a tour of the three bridges.