Tears shed at an office opening
The opening of a new building doesn’t often call for tears, but there were a few shed at the opening of Bayley’s Tu¯rangi’s new building in Tu¯rangi recently.
The new office block in Ohuanga Rd backing onto the Tu¯rangi town centre is owned by Comack Properties and as well as the real estate office it includes additional office spaces, with two already occupied by Le Pine & Co lawyers and Westerman Property Solutions.
Comack Properties director Zane Cozens, who is also director of Westerman Cozens Realty Ltd, which operates Bayleys Tu¯rangi, had named the sets of offices in honour of three Tu¯rangi people who had had a significant impact on his life and career in Tu¯rangi. The Charlie Hatch offices commemorate the former Tu¯rangiTongariro councillor, who mentored Zane when he first set up a takeaway shop, the Grand Central Fry in Tu¯rangi. The Janice Millar offices were named in honour of a close family friend, whose children and grandchildren Zane is still close to today. And the Charlie Wilcox offices commemorate the brother of one of Zane’s staff members who died at the age of 21. Mrs Millar and Mr Wilcox’s families were both in attendance and visibly moved by the gesture.
The opening was preceded with a blessing by chaplain Russell Woodhouse and drinks, nibbles and tours of the new building followed the speeches.