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Matakana Market coordinator Michael Kessell punts his son-in-law David Brown down the Mahurangi River.
Matakana Market coordinator Michael Kessell has launched a punt on the Matakana River, to extend the vibrancy of the weekend markets on to the water.
The punt comes from Christchurch. Michael bought it online last year and has spent the past six months renovating it.
“We have the most beautiful river in the world and things need to happen on there for summer,” Michael says.
“It could be the start of something unique for the area.”
He plans to launch it from the jetty near the markets and is trying to develop a punt service down the river, but has been stymied by health and safety regulations.
In the meantime, he is planning to use the punt as a kind of scenic photo booth.
“We will have a Polaroid camera set up and couples will be able to get a photo in the punt.”
He is looking for someone to take on the initiative and develop a range of punting activities to coincide with the weekend markets.
“It could be someone’s little start-up business.”
He has also hinted at having another well-dressed, jolly, bearded man visit on the punt closer to Christmas.
“I’ve got 101 ideas for this thing.”
Michael says he became fond of the river as a child, when he would visit his grandparents.
“I grew up in that river. My grandfather used to take me flounder fishing. We’d catch 10 flounder on the trip, but by the time we made it back to grandma he would only have one left because he would give a fish to everyone he met on the way home.”
