I’ve been there for lunch and it’s my go-to for coffee when I’m heading south or east but last night was my first dinner at The Station in Waimarino (formerly National Park) Village…

The Station has been an icon in the village longer than I’ve lived here. It wobbled then closed during Covid but it is great to see it up and running again under its two lovely new owners, Lily and Sam.

At the end of this local government triennium* (the three year period between local government elections), we members of the Owhango National Park Community Board decided to meet for dinner to talk about how we thought we’d done as a board. We were lucky enough to have the Clive, the council CE, attend as well for high-level council perspectivies.

If you are Ruapehu local and have not yet dined at The Station – why not?? The food is beautiful with a selection that should have something for everyone, filling serving sizes, fast and friendly service and a table right by the fire…cold and wet outside, crispy and warm on the inside.

I can vouch for the crispy chicken starter, susages and mash main and bread and butter pudding…I wish I could have just ordered ‘one of everything’…

The Station is closed Monday/Tuesday, open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday-Sunday and dinner Thursday-Friday. For years, the village has been missing a location where residents and visitors can conspire with a coffee and a snack before midday. We have that back now…

Something I learned from last night is that there are free EV chargers in the council park and ride by The Station. They are not the fastest but you can plug in before you dine and squeeze in a few more ergs for your journey…

Don’t be strangers, drop in and say hi….

#RuapehuNZ #WaimarinoVillage #TheStationWaimarino #CruisingSH4

• Triennium is a funny word that no doubt dates back to the early days of British style governance. I always wish we had someone in council who drives a Falcon so Ruapehu could have its own Triennium Falcon….