Down on the farm: Andrew Reymer and Liz Stolwyk in the cow shed of their Ōhaupō farm. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Andrew Reymer and Liz Stolwyk have a relationship that works well for them.
At Lake Karāpiro she is the boss, at their Ōhaupō dairy farm, he is.
Which is why Reymer is thrilled the couple’s company GL Events Ltd has picked up the management contract at Mighty River Domain for another five years, with rights of renewal for a further 10, subject to agreed performance measures.
Waipā District Council announced eight months ago it would go to the market to find a company to provide onsite management at the lake.
Reymer and Stolwyk have had the contract for nearly 20 years. So, what would have happened if they missed out?
“Andrew said to me there’s always a job milking cows but I think he would prefer me not to be there. It works very well out here because I’m the boss and he’s the 2IC, but it doesn’t work so well the other way around.”
He is a relieved man, she says.
The Waipā deputy mayor is 50 and will be eligible for a Gold Card when the contract comes up for renewal again.
By then sons Josh, 19, Curtis, 18 and Nathan, 14 might be working in the company, making it a family affair.
“There does not look to be a farmer amongst them. They spend more time at Karāpiro – two of them were even born here – than they do on the farm,” says Stolwyk.
Before going through the process of applying again, there were some dining room table discussions.
“This is seven days a week operation, so it needed to be a full family decision.”
It is a well-worn route between Ōhaupō and Karāpiro. Stolwyk is generally up at 5.30am and out at the lake, back at home in time for breakfast and then off to council business or back to the lake.
“I’m always singing in the car. That’s my thing. I could have learned another language by now,” she says.
The deputy mayor role has been demanding, particularly in the last year.
“I don’t work an eight-hour day. Typical hours don’t work for me. There is no time for Liz Stolwyk.”
Except in the school holidays when, bizarrely, there are not as many events on at the lake and so that is when she takes a break.
“I love the sense of family, that’s really important to me.”
The council received four expressions of interest for the management contract with two going through to tender. Following the closing date, the other applicant withdrew.
Council received approval to award the contract from the Office of the Auditor-General pursuant to the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968. The contract will commence on Monday, December 18.
See: A mighty challenge
Karāpiro site manager Liz Stolwyk, left, at the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in April with competitors Wan Ling Chin, left, and Wan Fang Chin.
