In the middle of major disruptive roadworks causing significant and long-term traffic delays, one roadside worker is standing out as a beacon of cheer and positivity for drivers in Welcome Bay.

Standing at his post, this traffic management worker is greeting every passing vehicle with a cheerful and spirited ‘mana’ wave.

Comments on social media have been overwhelmingly positive.

“Thanks to the traffic controller this morning for making me laugh! I saw so many people in their cars smiling passing you this morning. Giving us a wave and having fun on the job. Thanks for making us head to work with big smiles on faces! I'm sure you got a few of us out of our midweek morning funk,” says Sharleen Abraham in a post to the Welcome Bay Community page on Facebook.

“He is very cool! I get him on the way home from work, such a joyful person. He needs a pay rise plus he is a credit to his employer,” says Annamarie Angus in a Facebook comment.

“It was a breath of fresh air for sure. It had me grinning all afternoon,” says Sarah Jane Fullerton.

“Mana wave, this guy is awesome. Love his smile and enthusiasm. He was still there Friday night at 7pm, our car load gave him a wave back. Makes us all smile heading into roadworks,” says Kirsty McGreevy.

“Oh he's so cool made me smile too, wasn't having a good morning but seeing him do his mana wave with a big smile made my day thank you,” says Honey-may Tarawa.

Some who have been taking a detour are experiencing a Welcome Bay mana wave ‘fear of missing out’.

“I've been avoiding the road works by using back streets but I'm getting fomo - I need to drive through so I can experience this Wonderful Waver for myself,” says Jan Patterson.

“He's the man alright defs made me stop taking the back street just to wave to the bro gives a good start to the day …keep the bro on I reckon and afterwards put him at Bayfair at the road works there lol he will make you smile for sure,” says Tahupotiki Taiaroa-Scott.

“Me and the kids can’t wait to give the bro a phat mana wave,” says Marn Walker.

Motorists waiting at the other end for cars coming through the road works are noticing that the drivers travelling towards them are smiling.

“Was stuck on red light today and the amount of cars that went through and the people in them with smiles was sooo cool to see. Keep doing what you’re doing bro,” says Pirihira Gardiner.

It’s a stunning display of physicality on the part of the traffic controller, who SunLive has chosen not to name, as Tauranga City Council estimate on average about 5000 vehicles travel between the Welcome Bay Community Centre and the Maungatapu end of Welcome Bay Road each day.

The infectious enthusiasm and warm gestures have turned what could be a frustrating experience into a moment of connection …and joy, leaving drivers smiling and uplifted despite the inconvenience of the construction.

 Work at the Welcome Bay Road/ Waitaha Road intersection started on April 9.

Road closed signs on Welcome Bay Road. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

“This work is expected to be completed mid-July, weather dependent,” says Tauranga City Council Transportation Infrastructure Outcomes (Acting) Manager Kelvin Hill.

“We are constructing a roundabout but without traffic lights”

Kelvin says the work includes:

• a new roundabout at the Waitaha Road and Welcome Bay Road intersection
• a raised pedestrian crossing on Waitaha Road
• a raised pedestrian crossing on Welcome Bay Road (city side of the roundabout)
• a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists around the roundabout
• upgrade of the existing pedestrian crossing on Welcome Bay Road at the shops into a raised pedestrian crossing
• watermain replacement
• road resurfacing around the roundabout and crossings.

The contractors work weekdays from 6am - 6pm.

“But traffic management is in place 24/7 and in the weekends is necessary because there is only one lane open on Welcome Bay Road,” says Kelvin.

Kelvin says in general motorists are patient at the site because they were informed in time that this work was being carried out.

“We keep people updated through Tauranga City Council’s Weekly Bulletin online and our contractor Fulton Hogan keeps residents nearby up to date with a regular letter.

“A number of these individual project items have been requested by our rate payers, and we have coordinated some of this with maintenance work to reduce the need for multiple road closures.

“We thank people for their patience while we are upgrading our roads.

“Follow the temporary traffic management while passing through the intersection at Welcome Bay and enjoy the mana wave!”

Welcome Bay roundabout layout. Diagram: Tauranga City Council.