The new owners of Wairoa’s Riverside Takeaway admit going from the forestry industry to hospitality is “a bit of a jump off the cliff”.

But, it’s doable if you do the research and you have the skills, says Riverside’s co-owner Pam Haynes.

Locals Gerald and Pam Haynes, who live in Kotemaori, had been working 42 and 27 years respectively in the forestry industry: Gerald as the forest coordinator of the Mohaka forest and Pam as a supervisor.

Earlier this year though, their children asked them to consider taking over the lease of the old Fish and Feathers Takeaway store.

After deliberating over the idea for some time, they sat back and thought about it seriously and said “we can do it”.

“My husband said to me let’s jump, and off we went,” Pam said.

Riverside Takeaways is a family operated business striving to provide quality products and service. Their products and services include fish and chips, meals, real fruit ice cream and fresh wet fish.

Pam and Gerald’s daughter Raywyn Maxwell is currently studying business and accounting at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay.

Pam said their takeaway business was a suitable opportunity for Raywyn to transition into the business once she finished studying.

Their daughters Maree and Daphne also operate the business as head cook and customer service operator at Riverside Takeaways.

Having a wealth of knowledge in the health and safety side of things and maintaining high standards, being in the forestry industry for more than 20 years, was a bonus because it made ticking those operational boxes easy.

Their business hours are 10.30am to 7.30pm Tuesday to Sunday. You can find them on Facebook @riversidewairoa/Riverside Takeaways. Or, you can contact them on (06) 281 5140.

31 October 2018

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