At 80 years old, Chris McAlpine starts many mornings the same way – behind the wheel of an UZABUS, greeting children by name and listening to their laughter as the sun rises over Tauranga.

Now the much-loved school bus and cruise ship tour driver, known affectionately as ‘Koro Fridge’, has found himself featured in a new colouring book celebrating Tauranga landmarks and community characters.

The book, titled Koro Fridge’s Tiki Tour of Tauranga, was released before Christmas and highlights local scenes and people who help bring the city to life – including McAlpine in his bus, doing what he loves most.

Got bored

“I was a bit humbled by it, to be honest,” McAlpine said. “I never expected something like that.”

Chris McAlpine drives for Uzabus, and loves showing off his ‘backyard’ to cruise visiting ship passengers. Photo / David Hall

Written by Tommy ‘Kapai’ Wilson, edited by Jenny Argante and illustrated by Rob Morgenstern using a variety of digital tools including AI applications, the book was sponsored by local businesses.

McAlpine has been driving school buses and cruise ship visitor tours for the past four years, after retiring from a long career that included roles in education, rugby administration, golf management and as chief executive of Bay of Plenty Golf.

“I retired, had some time off – and I got bored,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve always had my licences, I enjoy kids, and I just thought I’d give bus driving a go. I absolutely love it.”

His school bus work had included runs to most Tauranga colleges, transporting rangatahi (youth) from Matakana Island, and to Pyes Pā and Ōropi Schools.

By name

“I make sure I know every kid by name,” he said. “I greet them by name and farewell them by name. I think it’s important they know they matter – that they’re not just another passenger.”

That philosophy, he said, also helped keep his mind sharp. “I use it as a good excuse to keep my memory working as I get older,” he said. “It works both ways.”

When he’s not driving, Chris McAlpine can be busy colouring in pictures in his own copy of ‘Koro Fridge’s Tiki Tour of Tauranga’. Photo / David Hall

In between school runs, McAlpine also drives tour buses for cruise ship visitors, showing off what he calls “my backyard”.

“I love the Bay,” he said. “What better job than taking people around and helping them enjoy it too?”

Tours range from Tauranga highlights to trips further afield, with McAlpine favouring storytelling over statistics.

Experiences over numbers

“Less is more,” he said. “I’d rather talk about events and experiences than numbers.”

The nickname ‘Fridge’ had followed McAlpine for decades, originating from the well-known McAlpine refrigeration business and later reinforced through rugby and golf circles. The ‘Koro’ addition, he said, had simply come with age.

As for the colouring book itself, McAlpine admitted it inspired a new hobby.

“I hadn’t coloured in for 50 years,” he said. “But I bought some pencils and found it really relaxing – quite therapeutic, actually.”

Wilson said the book project was dreamed up to share local stories and showcase local heroes – “especially the ones we race past every day without really seeing”.

Playful teaching taonga

“The Tiki Tour of Tauranga is a playful teaching taonga that shows our kids how beautiful our own backyard is. It’s all about connecting and rediscovering. If you want to grow free-range kids, feed them backyard stories,” Wilson said.

Chris ‘Koro Fridge’ McAlpine drives school and tour buses for Uzabus. Photo / David Hall

The bulk of the first 1000 copies were gifted to the community, delivered to Tauranga schools and the Tauranga Hospital children’s ward in time for Christmas.

Copies of the book had also made their way to McAlpine’s grandchildren, nieces and nephews – and even back to him in coloured form.

With his licence current for the year ahead, McAlpine said this may be his final year driving buses – but he had no plans to slow down just yet.

Lucky

“It’s a great way to start the day,” he said. “Kids’ laughter, good people, and showing off Tauranga – I’ve been very lucky.”

Copies of the colouring book are available from The Book Club, 77 Devonport Rd, Tauranga.

The Weekend Sun has two copies to give away to two lucky readers who can tell us where people can purchase the colouring book in Tauranga? To enter, visit: wwwsunlive.co.nz and click on the ‘competitions’ tab. Entries must be in by Tuesday, January 20.