Potential customers flock to home show | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

The ITM, Classic Hits and Times-Age-sponsored Wairarapa Home and Garden Show was the place to be at the weekend for anyone wanting to ''build it, carpet it, heat it, air-condition it, gift it, dehumidify it, clad it, screen it'' and more, says show organiser Mark Harris.
Mr Harris has been responsible for organising the event for six of its seven years and reckons the beauty of the expo is that, compared to other bigger trade shows, Masterton's has a personal touch _ ''You can actually talk to the exhibitors.'' The main purpose of the show was to give exhibitors a chance to get in touch with potential customers _ hopefully to be followed up on later.
Mr Harris said over the show's two days about 1200 visitors would have passed through the 30-odd stalls at the Genesis Recreation Centre.
Masterton LeafScreen owner Brent Arkell was one of the exhibitors and is the man to see when leaves are falling and gutters are blocking. He does most of his business from September to April and said he did a brisk trade during that period, because birds liked to park up in guttering.
Birds made their way into roof cavities through uncovered guttering and could wreak havoc on a family home _ especially in households harvesting rainwater through spouting.
''When birds are living up there, the quality of rainwater can be compromised. Also there's the noise _ once the chicks are squeaking their heads off at 4.30 in the morning saying, 'Feed me', it's not conducive to a good sleep _ but call Brent and it's problem solved,'' Mr Arkell said.