SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the Manager of everything at TRM) has often been asked what is happening down the road at the old Sportsmans – now completely being redeveloped and renamed “The Quarters”. It has been completely refurbished from the shared facility type of accommodation to now provide “as new” self-contained studios and apartments. It was closed in March and the renovations and remodeling are continuing. The new Manager – Jo Street – advised TRM that they expect to open up in November. After we welcomed them to Turangi and mentioned how we were pleased to see their place being upgraded and commented on their attractive new image and website, etc. she replied as follows:
“We’ve just opened the house and the cottage, we hope to have the rest open by the end of November, renovations though are just a law unto themselves! I did the website myself so I’ll absolutely take that as a compliment 😂 We’re new and shiny but there is so much value in history and loyal guests like what you have. Kind regards Jo”
The landscaping at the rear of the property has been more visible and appreciated by tourists walking the Tongariro River Trail stopbank. Previously it was an ugly sadly neglected overgrown jungle of weeds and blackberry which has now been cleared while retaining the tall Manuka and formed a park atmosphere between the stopbank and the accommodation.
I hope DOC (Department of Conservation are supposed to manage the trail) and Taupo Council are compensating the new owners for enhancing the views by removing their neglected deferred maintenance? If not, they should! This clearing and landscaping work should be continued further south to Te Aho Street reserve. Many tourists walking the trail have commented on the effort and expense by the new owners of “The Quarters” to enhance and beautify the river environment.
The overall upgrade is very welcome and overdue after TRM reported about two years ago about a visit from an ignorant stroppy Toe-paw Council health official – see the 2022 report below. Now you realise it was not TRM that they were complaining about…
2 Environmental Health Complaint about TRM?
After reading Didymo Dave’s account of dealing with the authorities, I could not resist adding our latest experience with their council staff…
Yesterday, just as I was drifting off on my granny nap after a hectic busy morning walking the dog, my dreams were rudely interrupted by the reception buzzer. This was an official visit confirmed by the Taupo District Council car and their very serious “Senior Environmental Health Officer” who announced he was investigating an official complaint.
To throw him off guard I responded enthusiastically, that this was quite exciting as TRM had never been subject to an official “health & safety” complaint of this nature. Most complaints in the past have been about signs or the fishing… As he was hiding behind a covid mask I could not gauge his reaction.
He would not reveal who it was from so I immediately suggested it was sure to involve SWMBO. (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the manager of all health and safety matters at TRM.) He provided the dates occupied by the complainant who stayed in Unit 2 and had sent him photos as evidence of the dirty filth and grime…
The photos exposed some ranchslider-type window sashes that resembled more of a fly cemetery. Disgusting, except for one small detail; I could see they were not TRM’s window sashes, so this was a chance for some fun.
Just then SWMBO fronted up – She could not ignore me being interrogated by a Senior Council Officer without Her approval so he had to explain everything again about such a serious life-threatening complaint. Much to his surprise, I supported his concerns about the disgusting evil grime filmed at the crime scene and suggested that it was really a complaint about Her management practices and She was obviously guilty. Being a pedantic soul in a blind panic She checked the dates from our Booking Sheet to advise our Unit 2 guests at that time of the complaint were a mother and child who stayed longer than the complainant, so something did not add up.
I jumped at the opportunity to register my own complaint about the years TRM have endured Council bullying and victimisation to enlighten him on TRM’s history of our signs war with the Council. He had done some homework as he knew all about the fines… His face gradually disappeared even further behind his mask.
Then I got lucky and caught a glimpse in his photo of the signage of the motel in question. He was in the wrong place! It was not a motel but one of those cheap back-packer type tourist accommodation facilities where the peasants, who cannot afford a decent motel, all share the same kitchen and lounge room. While he was befuddled with his mistake it gave us a wonderful opportunity to share our views about the way Taupo Council has mistreated TRM in the past 18 years… He was so anxious to escape he forgot to apologise.
So there you are. Never a dull moment at TRM. I should write a book about it. (Update: I did!)
SWMBO is still in recovery.
