Transmission Gully is proving a hit for a small coastal town.

Paekakariki, north of Wellington, used to be a thoroughfare for State Highway 1, but that changed three weeks ago when the new motorway opened.

Mauricio Torrealba owns the Fishermans Table restaurant in the town. 

He told Andrew Dickens they're getting more business now.

“We did about 1800 people during the weekend just past. There’s no burden for us. The Transmission Gully’s not doing any harm for us at all.”

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