A town’s unique heritage

A pair of original Model T kerosene lamps were found and fitted, and the bus still has the original 6V electrical system it came with.

New canvas sides were made up. Mark is a sailor and he obtained a roll of canvas and had the know-how to sew them up.

Max is a marine surveyor and boat builder. He and his wife Rachael run Laver Marine Ltd, based on the main street of Piopio. The company makes small, high-quality boats to order, and furniture.

One may well ask what a boatbuilding business is doing in a small landlocked town a long way from the sea. That question was answered in the last issue of The Shed, No. 79, when we featured Laver Marine’s specialty boat building and its unique range of boats, built by hand with care.

“The bus was fun to build. I’d love to build a tram or train carriage one day,” says Max.

The bus is taken out for local Christmas parades and other King Country events.

“It’s a piece of the town’s heritage,” Max adds.