Tīrau’s Battle: Small-Town Charm vs. Fast Food Giants

Famously dubbed the “Corrugated Capital of the World,” Tīrau is celebrated for its large corrugated iron animals, boutique cafes, and small-town charm. However, a David and Goliath battle is brewing in this North Island town with a proposal to establish a Burger King and a Starbucks on the main street.

Many locals oppose this fast-food takeover, fearing it will erode the town’s unique character and siphon business from existing establishments. The town, home to about 800 residents, is located approximately 50 kilometers south of Hamilton. Visitors are greeted by giant corrugated iron sculptures of a dog, a shepherd, and a sheep as they enter.

Currently, Tīrau has limited fast-food options, with only a Subway and a BP Wild Bean Cafe. However, an application from Burger King and Starbucks to build two drive-through restaurants along the main street threatens to change that. This proposal, submitted to the South Waikato District Council late last year, includes plans to demolish existing houses on Main Road and construct the restaurants, which would operate from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Tīrau is known for its landmark corrugated iron buildings and signs, which are favourites for travellers to take photos with. Photo: RNZ/ Louise Ternouth

Tīrau’s iconic corrugated iron buildings and signs are popular photo spots for travelers. Geoff Poole, a Tīrau resident for over 20 years, expressed concern that the town’s character could be jeopardized by the corporate giants. “You can go anywhere in the world to have a Burger King, but you’ve got to come to Tīrau to have Tīrau,” Poole stated.

The proposed site for the new restaurants is between Tīrau Primary School and the Tīrau Community Church, directly across from the BP Wild Bean Cafe and near other local cafes. Raj Singh, owner of Cafe 20 Nine, voiced his worries: “It will be just another Covid for us. Everyone’s so scared. This little town is full of cafes and nice antique shops, and it will all be changed with those big fishes coming in here.”

Cabbage Tree Cafe, in the small SH1 Waikato town of Tīrau. Photo: RNZ/ Louise Ternouth

Ninety-five percent of Cafe 20 Nine’s business comes from travelers passing through. Singh noted, “This is the first town when you come out of Auckland where you have to slow down to 50kph. From Wellsford to here, there’s no other place like this left.” While the new restaurants could provide jobs for locals, Singh has struggled to fill multiple vacancies for up to a year, forcing him to commute 140 kilometers daily from Pukekohe.

Paul Andugula, manager of the Cabbage Tree Cafe, echoed this staffing concern. “I’ve been here for seven years, and we’ve been struggling to get staff locally. Most of our chefs and other staff are not locals.”

On Tīrau’s main street, opinions on the potential arrival of Burger King and Starbucks are mixed. Some residents feel the town’s unique atmosphere is at risk, while others believe the new restaurants might fit in, given the existing Subway.

SOURCE: RNZ