World famous in Paeroa

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According to official sources, Paeroa’s

home to just over 4,500 people. Besides the soft drinks, it’s also home to New Zealand’s longest-serving Yamaha dealer, Gary Johansen’s Paeroa Marine and Cycle Centre – and this is his story.

Born in 1959, Johansen’s parents were farmers who taught him from an early age the value and importance of hard work.

“If there’s one thing my parents taught me it was commitment. I might not have been too bright but I’ve always known how to work. If you get off your arse and work you’ll get ahead. If you sit back bitching and moaning you’ll go nowhere.”

This lesson’s been doubly important to Johansen because 45 years after leaving school he still has difficulty reading and spelling. But make no mistake,