Big day awaited us and what a big day it turned out to be.
Firstly we went to a business named Glass Systems where our host Nigel Cattell explained to us all about current trends in glass usage for splashback,s, balastraudes, shower screens and glass in commercial buildings. We learnt what made glass green and why glass with less iron in it was more expensive.
Then we went to a centre called Aitacki Cultural centre (Yes I know the spelling is wrong but I will edit this sometime shortlty!!) where we learnt about the local environment and watched a short film on the history and types of vegetation and animal life that exists in this unique area. Views towards the harbour and airport and towards Big Muddy Creek were great.
We then headed off to Te Pi where the more adventurous climbed a hill and enjoyed the magnificant vista of the ocean, the unusual black sands and the prominent headlands that stood between the land and the sea. Certainly was a lovely part of New Zealand.
We then headed back into the city where we had a quick tour of Geoff Dainty,s delevelopment and property investment business.
Then it was off to Criterion Furniture to have a look at their enterprise. We were met by Grant who explained to us that Criterion were the biggest manufacturer of home furniture in Australasia. They manufacture the consoles that you place tv sets on, office desks and a very large of products that are retailed by Harvey Norman and Freedom Furniture to name just a couple, as well as having sellers in America and a host of other global areas.
Their factory is highly automated with robotic machines and would have a floor area of some 15,000m2. They are very well organised as you would need to be with such a large enterprise.
It was great to see a local manufacturing business doing well and staying competive against the tide of imports that are causing so many of our manufacturers to close.
We were treated to a few welcome drinks in the staff social room and to a barbeque tea.
We all left with a warm feeling as our host had gone out of his way to make our Criterion experience a pleasant one.
Our local hosts Geoff Dainty and his wife Jenny, and Barry, and Brian and Christine Lukacs really made yesterday a day for us to remember.
Thank you everyone for your spendid Kiwi hospitality.