A change of pace

Swapping a stressful corporate lifestyle for a new life in the Wairarapa proved to be the right choice for Christian and Margie Carter, owners of the region’s Driving Miss Daisy franchise.  

By Katherine Robinson. Photo by Lucia Zanmonti.

A project manager in a fast-paced industry for over ten years, Christian worked long hours in a stressful job. “Margie worked in a similar environment. It felt like we were working to maintain a lifestyle that didn't really exist because we didn’t have the time to enjoy it,” he says.

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Redundancy following a restructuring proved to be a godsend, giving the family a chance to take stock and make changes.  Although living near Porirua, for years the family had owned a block of land between Carterton and Greytown. “We always loved it,” says Christian.  ‘We’d come over for weekends and never really want to leave.”

Making the decision to move to the Wairarapa, and build a new house on the block was relatively easy. “While house was being built, we spent two months of two summers there in a glamping tent. We had a chemical toilet, no power, phones or TV, and we felt that it was the best four months of our lives. We all really reconnected as a family,” says Margie.

A year on, now living in a house – with solid rather than canvas walls – Christian and Margie are still loving their new lifestyle.

‘The very first night we moved, we were blown away by how friendly and welcoming people are here. We had dinner at Balter’s in Carterton and people came up and  hugged us when we said we had just moved here.”

When they heard that the local Driving Miss Daisy franchise was up for sale, Christian was intrigued. “It connected with us. Both of us know what it is like to have frail and ageing parents.”

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Taking over the business last November, Christian, who modestly describes his job as part manager, part “general dogsbody” relishes his new role. “The people we meet are wonderful. I’ve been regaled with so many  incredible stories. People are so appreciative.  We are making wonderful friends through the business. It’s hard not to form a strong bond with them.

“And the staff are amazing. They do their job because of their passion for helping the community. They are all locals and have been in the Wairarapa for a fair while. It’s incredible the demand that is out there. So many people are isolated because they can't drive, and if you are not physically able to walk, then you are stuck.”

Driving Miss Daisy is Masterton-based, but the cars operate as if they are local to other Wairarapa towns, “so you will pay as if we are starting from your home town,” he says.

And the service is not just for the aged and disabled. “We have the ACC contract so if you are in a position where you can't drive through accident, we can drive you and we can  do after school pick-ups for parents in similar circumstances. Our drivers  are police-vetted and fully trained first-aiders who know how to transport the elderly and disabled. It does require a level of skill and sensitivity.”