About Turangi Rentals

Turangi Rentals was founded by John and Edna Morshead in the early 1980s with a vision that went beyond just operating a local business. They wanted to enrich the lives of the people in Turangi by offering more than just a typical rental service. Their idea was to give the community access to experiences outside their area. Through Turangi Rentals, they provided transportation to theatre events in nearby cities and organized charter trips around the mōtu (the island), giving locals the chance to explore new places and take part in cultural events that might otherwise be out of reach. 

As the business grew, John and Edna expanded their services to meet more of the town’s needs. They introduced equipment hire, allowing locals to rent tools and machinery that would otherwise be difficult to access. They also opened a mechanical workshop, which provided much-needed vehicle repair and maintenance services to the community. Turangi Rentals became a well-loved and important part of the town, not only providing useful services but also creating opportunities for residents to experience more of the world outside their small community. 

In October 2022, the Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust saw the potential in Turangi Rentals and decided to purchase the property and all of its assets. Recognizing the importance of the services the company had been providing for decades, the Trust was committed to not only continuing these services but also building on them to benefit the local people. In 2023, they created Tongariro Transport and Rentals Limited Partnership (TTR), a new business that would carry on the legacy of Turangi Rentals.

The goal of TTR is to maintain the transportation and rental services that the Morshead's started while expanding them even further. This includes offering more travel options, upgrading the rental equipment, and improving the mechanical services to continue supporting the community’s needs and growing with the region. Through these efforts, the Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust aims to ensure that the people of Turangi can continue to access opportunities and experiences, all while keeping vital local services running for years to come.