Caring couple in Kapuka race to help anyone

Kapuka couple Murray and Judith O’Connor are always prepared to help tourists with vehicle problems on the Southern Scenic Route.

Running out of fuel, flat tyres and mechanical trouble have forced a few tourists to park on the side of the road near the O’Connors’ home.

‘‘Anybody broken down, we’ll help them,’’ Murray said. ‘‘If we can’t, we’ll give them a ride to the [nearest] garage.’’

Another example of the O’Connors’ kindness was when they gave two tourists on bicycles a meal and bed for the night. It was getting dark and Murray told them they could stay the night.

People in a campervan were also hosted a couple of nights by the O’Connors, who are retired dairy farmers and agricultural contractors.

‘‘Helping people is something we do...that’s us,’’ Murray said. ‘‘We don’t go on committees, but we help out where ever we can.’’

When North Island dairy farmers moved to Kapuka and surrounding areas 20 to 25 years ago, about 20 were given temporary accommodation by the O’Connors, at no cost.

‘‘It was while they were getting their homes sorted,’’ Murray said. ‘‘Some stayed two or three nights, others stayed a week to 10 days.’’

The O’Connor family’s farm was one of 10 used for the annual Gorge Road golf tournament fundraiser in July. Two holes were at the O’Connors’ property and food put on by the couple consisted of roast lamb sandwiches.

Most of the money raised is given to Gorge Road School, with the remainder split between the Gorge Road Swimming Pool and Country Club.

Murray mans the barbecue at the annual Kapuka 1000 - a car race on a large paddock for Fords and Holdens. It is held in October on the same day as Australia’s famous Bathurst 1000.

Kapuka 1000 organisers hold qualifying rounds (Saturday) before finalising race events (Sunday). A ball is held at the Oteramika Hall on the Friday night.

Usually, about 200 people attend both days and, last year, Murray reckoned meat from eight sheep was cooked on the barbecue.