As illustrated above, Tongariro River Motel is a dog friendly motel.

If it is often difficult to encourage kids or families to walk the Tongariro River Trail – a loop trail of 3 km or 1 hour.  It leads from TRM along the Tongariro River bank to cross over the Koura Street swingbridge and back over the hill offering wide views over Lake Taupo in the distance.  But now SWMBO has the solution.

When the incentive to get kids out walking (instead of playing on iPads) is a dog called Pumpkin there is no hesitation.  They enjoy walking far further and their enjoyment meter is off the clock.  It makes their stay far more memorable.

We have nearly always owned dogs and hopefully appreciate how dogs are ‘mens best friend’ – particularly as a fishing buddy.

SWMBO understands many people cannot bear to be parted from their pets so TRM has a couple of end-units – i.e. away from other guests – allocated as suitable for pets.

Naturally only friendly family ‘pets’ qualify.  ‘Guard’ dogs with too much attitude do not.

The Tongariro River trail and other tracks around Turangi are perfect dog exercise areas.

SWMBO advises that several inmates have recently asked about the cartoon above which sort of confirms that dogs are an extension of our TRM family.  It hangs in TRM reception.

It was prepared as a Christmas present surprise to us from a prospective guest from London who had not even stayed here to meet Boof or us.  She, Bryony Walters, is a top notch cartoonist in her spare time.

Her father, JAK, was the London Evening Standard’s cartoonist for over 40 years.  Just so you know.

The dog in her cartoon illustration above was Boof who has now passed on to the great kennel club in the sky.

In September 2012 the local SPCA had noticed he was getting older and slower so they arranged his succession plan with a smaller boxer they had named Pumpkin, so we adopted her, but she has to earn her keep….

For those families with young children, Pumpkin’s job is to take them walkies around the Tongariro River.

She is so popular on weekends that if you wish to take her walkies, then you will need to book her ahead into your holiday programme.

Pumpkin does not charge for taking kids walkies but accepts lots of pats and hugs instead.

More info at TRM reception – booking essential.

Minimum 2 hours.

Swimming lessons optional.