56 | A return to being the top shop in town As a huge fan of Honda, Gareth is in the right place. Kelly Deeks Now under new management, the long standing Mills Honda in Waipukurau is targetting a return to being the top shop in town, with a focus on looking after its valued customers with outstanding service and reliable and hardy products that are known to stand the test of time. Mills Honda has been part of Central Hawke’s Bay for nearly 50 years. Dennis Mills starting out as a country garage at Parongahau then movin to Waipukurau in 1976 to become the local Honda dealer, and focus on servicing the farming community throughout the district. In 1989, Mills Honda also became a Stihl Shop, bringing this complete range of revolutionary outdoor power equipment to people at work in the Central Hawke’s Bay. Today, Mills Honda remains fully committed to Honda and Stihl products. With its location in the heart of prime farming country, the majority of Mills Honda’s customers are sheep and beef or dairy farmers, and many have been loyal since the beginning. However since Dennis’ retirement a couple of years ago, it hasn’t been easy to fill his shoes, and Mills Honda has suffered for it. Enter Gareth and Melissa Bloomfield. Gareth has actually come full circle back to where he completed his motorcycle mechanic’s apprenticeship 20 years ago. He stayed in the motorcycle trade for a while before embarking on a fulfilling career in the police service, and now he’s back and he’s ready to steer Mills Honda back into its top shop position. “I’m extremely competitive by nature, so my goal is to be the best,” he says. “Dennis ran such a tight ship so our goal is to regain the stronghold he had. We want to retain our current customers and get our old customers back.” Gareth says Honda is well known throughout the rural sector as one of the most reliable brands, with a solid four stroke engine, nice quiet running, and smooth power. As a huge fan of Honda, Gareth is in the right place. “I’ve loved Honda my whole life,” he says. “I honestly believe they are made and built better. They last longer, and they’ve been designed for New Zealand conditions. Here in Central, our farms go from the ranges to the coast and everything in between. We’ve got everything the farmer needs to handle that country.” The Pioneer range of side-by-side multi- purpose utility vehicles have become a fast favourite on New Zealand farms,with two, three and four seat options, added safety protection, and the ability to get into places you can’t get RURAL SERVICES » Mills Honda Proudly supporting Mills Honda NOW IN STOCK: www.forbesanddavies.co.nz AVAILABLE AT MOTORCYCLE PARTS into with a tractor. For two-wheeled farm machines, why not try something like the XR190CT. This fuel injected farm hand combines Honda’s typically super reliable engine with smooth strong power, and is ready to get to work with generous carry rack capacity, dual side stands, lever guards, and extra mud protection. Nextdoor at the Stihl Shop, Gareth, Melissa, and the Mills Honda team are representing this internationally renowned brand with the number one selling brand of chainsaws and a full line of outdoor power tools for domestic use or commercial. Stihl has been run by the Stihl family since 1926 and even today, a 90-something year old, third-generation Mr Stihl tests each new product before letting it go to market. Mills Honda is proud to provide these quality products with excellent back-up service.
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