Greymouth petrol station offering equal employment along with the essentials

November 24, 2018

Seven Sharp's Mike Thorpe went to the West Coast business to fill up.

There's something special about a certain petrol station in Greymouth, and it's not necessarily the price of diesel.

For three decades the BP station has offered gas, essentials and employment with equal opportunity.

"Probably about 50 per cent of our work force has some form of disability - both physically and mentally," boss Joanne Ganda says.

"Everyone needs a chance," co-owner Dayaram Ganda told TVNZ1's Seven Sharp.

Employees like Brent Gage happy to be given one.

"Because of the physical struggles I've had and the depression you get naturally with Parkinson's it does take a lot to get out there and get back into the workforce and it is tough," Mr Gage says.

Seven years of battling Parkinson's has taken its toll on Brent and his IT career.

"To have this opportunity to do something is really important because it gives you a sense of value, a sense of purpose in your life," he says.

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