70 Years in the Trade

In 1939 Ray Rook left school and went to work as an apprentice at the local garage in Okato, Taranaki. Apart from his time away in the Air Force, he has never worked anywhere else.

At 85, he still can't keep away from his 'shop'. He may come to work a bit later than he used to, and the tea breaks can be of legendary length, but Ray belies his age and keeps on coming to work to service an ever-increasing fleet of vintage vehicles which arrive at his door for specialist care and attention.

The petrol pumps have gone, as have the 22 busy staff, but something of the country garage atmosphere remains as Rooky emerges from beneath a classic car in his overalls and maintains he's only semi-retired.