A few weeks ago we were on our way back from our bach at Tairua and towing a trailer when we got ominous car problems. We had taken a short cut to Katikati bypassing Waihi and were desperate to make it to the T junction at Old Tauranga Rd onto the highway, before the car gave up altogether!
We did get there and the car did give up, giving off lots of steam as it did so. Luckily for us, two vehicles stopped within 10 minutes. The first was a car carrying a couple who were keen to help, but didn't think they could tow both car and trailer.
While we were pondering that, the second vehicle stopped. It was a pickup carrying two returning fishermen and towing a small boat. We all stood about in the rapidly darkening gloom, trying to think what to do since all agreed that the engine could not be started.
Finally,it was decided that the car would tow the boat and the pickup would tow our car and trailer and we would all meet up at Katikati.
Bear in mind that no one knew each other or their names! After quite a stressful tow to Katikati, we all got out and had a chat and found that both of our good samaritans were on their way to Mt Maunganui and were going past the bottom of our drive, insisting that it was no trouble to drop us off there.
Again we set off and in no time we arrived at Pahoia, where we were unhooked and the boat was transferred back to the pickup. After we had given our extremely grateful thanks and goodbyes had been said, everyone went their separate ways. Our wonderful helpers would not accept anything for their very kind and totally unselfish efforts, without which we could have been left on the road for several hours! We should be proud that New Zealand has such people.

Kay and Jurgen Giess.