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Tapai McLeod - Source: ONE News -
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Tapai McLeod is a parking warden and as a man in a uniform people often love to hate him. However he is not your usual parking enforcer and this is why he is a ONE News good sort.
Tapai has the usual problem of too many people, in too many cars, all fighting for too few parks. But Tapai is a different type of parking enforcer and that is because he works in a rather extraordinary place - the cancer ward of a hospital.
Sixty four-year-old Tapai may have the toughest job, in one of Auckland's saddest places.
Everyday his problem is the same, cancer patients coming for chemo, a stressful enough situation without trying to find a park where there simply isn't one.
But Tapai is a traffic warden with a heart, just ask Tony Stanaway who wrote to ONE News about him. Tony has been bringing his daughter for treatment for four years.
"Where most parking attendants tell you where you can't park, he seems to spend all his time finding parking spaces for people," says Tony.
Gutters, footpaths and traffic cones are no problem for Tapai as he finds parks where others see obstacles.
"He's our saviour, everyday for the last six months I've been coming and getting treatment and he's the man," says one patient.
Tapai says he just wants to make sure people get parks.
"I have no complaints from my bosses, my superiors so, I'm happy," he says.
Tapai seems the right man for the job. Maybe it was the 29 years in the railways and eight in the army. He is also used to crowds, coming from a family of 14.
The problem with working near a cancer ward is the friends he makes sometimes, sadly do not come back.
"From time to time, I like to give a sob or two without, you know... behind the scenes," Tapai says.
Tapai's world is a place that simply does not work, too many cars, not enough parks and everyone is there for a very sad reason.
"I just feel sorry that they have copped cancer, so I have to do something about it by entertaining them with parking," Tapai says.
Yet somehow, every day, he makes it work.
Do you know someone who is a "Good Sort" that ONE News should talk to? Click here to nominate them.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentRuralWomenNZ said on 2011-06-17 @ 09:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hey! We thought you might be interested in the aftersocks projects that will raise money for the Chch Mayoral Fund. The idea came from two Cantabrian sisters called Justine and Jo Ottey. Check out the website www.aftersocks.co.nz from the 20th June or www.facebook.com/aftersocks.
Jazz1 said on 2010-05-24 @ 14:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Love this segment! What great people!
margi21 said on 2010-04-07 @ 21:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I have this guys heart i would be dead if it wasent for him , thanks barry !
Jankeal said on 2009-12-25 @ 23:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tim is my father and i'd just like to say that i'm proud of what he does bringing happiness to others lives and yet still finds time to talk and see his grandchildren. For a man who's had it rough the last 2-3 years it hasn't slowed him down and he still has time for everyone. Good on you dad/Pop!
TheHoltens said on 2009-12-21 @ 11:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The piece about Mark Granthams brought tears to my eyes. What an inspirational young man. Has made me look at myself and realise what little I do for the wider community. Thanks Mark :)