By Sorrel Hoskin

New Plymouth Women's Rest Rooms - a little bit of toilet history.

A visitors' book is not something you'd expect to find in a public toilet. But as the carefully written entries in the black book point out - New Plymouth's Women's Rest Rooms are a little different from the norm.

"Marion you were a WONDERFUL help to a flustered Mum of two young boys Thank-you for your friendliness, helpfulness and fabulous facilities. Saved my day."

"The cleanest, freshest welcoming loos in NZ. Luv em'."

"A lovely complex for baby, mum and grandmum."

Built for the New Plymouth Borough Council in 1936 by Messrs Boon Bros, the restrooms were described at the time by a reporter as: "the essence of modernity in construction yet homely and comfortable in atmosphere and spotless cleanliness mellowed by soft and restful indoor decoration, with friendly staff." Reading the visitors book it's obvious that women of today feel much the same way.

The James Lane rooms replaced the old women's toilets opposite the fire station on Courtenay Street. The central location and ease of access was heralded as a breakthrough for women of the time - especially "country visitors." The building's site was seen as a happy coincidence - nearby is the land where the fledgling town's first hospital stood - where Bishop Selwyn preached the first Church of England sermon in New Plymouth. Ironically the toilets were built over an ancient septic tank.

Everything was thought of: "inside is a happy blend of comfort and utility. The finish is plaster-tinted in soft, soothing colours and the harmony of the decorations completed by warm heart of rimu furnishings. A fireplace is provided but large windows facing the north ensure that sunshine will give comfortable warmth even on winter days. A private room is set aside for mothers and babies, and general facilities are available."

More than just attendants

Back then the building included a little flat for a caretaker, who kept the toilets clean and provided plenty of hot water for "mothers' needs". Today the three restroom attendants don't live there - but call it their "home away from home."

These women are the key to the success of the restrooms being more than just "loos".

Don't let attendant Marion Gundesen hear you calling the restrooms "loos" - she reckons the former gives connotations of gungy old toilets with graffiti covered walls.

Marion, also known as "Gundy" or "Nan" by locals, has been an attendant at the women's rest rooms for nearly 18 years. When she started the toilets could have fitted the "loo" description.

"I really didn't know what I'd struck. There was one feather duster with a single feather on it - I don't know how I was supposed to dust with that! There was an old floor polisher held together with sticking plaster. The place was dark - it looked like a mafia den!" A lick of paint - some decent lighting and the rooms were much more welcoming.
 
Despite initial misgivings, Marion now loves her job - it's morphed into more than cleaning toilets.  She and colleagues Mellanie Bonner and Karen Thurlow do more than wield toilet brushes.

"When I tell people I work at the rest rooms they think 'how boring - Sadie the cleaning lady' but it's not like that at all - our days are filled with so much variety - what goes on behind the toilet walls - you could write a book!"

She rattles off a long list - many of which are not on their "official" job descriptions: They help mothers by watching children while others are taken to the toilet, heat babies' bottles and baby food and provide a listening ear for those who need to talk. They're an information centre for tourists, provide first aid treatment and can refer people on to social services and counselling.

These women have their fingers on the pulse of New Plymouth. Based in the heart of the city they know what's going on. They've helped nab shoplifters, earned the respect of the town's homeless, called ambulances, provided needle and thread when a skirt or pair of trousers needs emergency treatment - and saved a stray cat that had set up home under the floorboards.

It's about the people

Marion has talked down potential "jumpers" from atop Centre City's walls, told off street kids and helped old ladies with heavy groceries. It's all done with a healthy dose of humour - the key, Marion reckons, to treading the fine line they walk every day - from suggesting a young mum needs to wrap her child more warmly - to giving stern motherly advice to a wayward teenager.

Then there are the flowers on the lounge table. For years New Plymouth's florists have been providing a weekly bunch of blooms for the restrooms. If they're late being put out restroom regulars will give the attendants a friendly reminder. "They don't let us forget!"

For Marion it's about the people. The restrooms are host to women from all walks of life - she's seen it all - from the "posh woman" who left the place in a mess through to the young mum and kids who spent ages tidying up after herself. "If you can help make someone's day a bit better - it's worth it."

And people appreciate the efforts the attendants go to. Marion gets thank-you letters from happy customers and has built up friendships with restroom regulars. It's been a life-changing experience. "You wouldn't think a public toilet would give you such a different slant on life - but it has."

One thing the attendants have never done is let men into the restrooms. Many guys will remember being taken into the building by their mothers as toddlers: using the little children's toilet, playing with the toys in the mothers' room. But men are expected to use the toilets around the corner, and wait outside.

"It's a haven for women. It's somewhere safe they can come," says Marion. "If we let men in it would change all that."

Jennifer Leece uses the restrooms with her two small children. "Other toilets don't have pushchair access, or are not cleaned as often. It's just a nice place to come."

Irene Howe has been making use of the restrooms since 1947 when she had her first child. Back then the rooms were a private place she could change her baby's nappies, breastfeed or catch up on a bit of local gossip with other young mothers.

Today she comes in for a chat with the attendants while waiting for the bus home or uses the rooms as a meeting place to catch up with friends. "It's so calming, and comfortable. It's got a homely feel - it makes you welcome."

New Plymouth Women's Rest Rooms - a flushing success since 1936.

They're comments echoed throughout New Plymouth by women who are prepared to come out fighting for "their toilets."

The little loo block on James Lane is rumoured to be responsible for flushing away a mayoral candidate in 1995 - the would-be mayor had plans to demolish the building if he achieved office.

In early 2005 the toilets again faced potential demolition or removal to make way for a central city open space alongside the Huatoki Stream. This time more than 3000 people signed a petition to save the building - and the district's politicians listened and decided to keep the building on site.

While the future of the restrooms is still in the pipeline (the building may yet be shuffled a few metres toward the Post Office) whatever happens it will still be business as usual in the little loo block on James Lane. 

In August 2005 the restroom recieved recognition of its status - winning an award for the best public restrooms in New Zealand. A toilet shaped trophy now sits in pride of place in the restrooms. The award just underlines what visitors to the toilets already know - as one women wrote: "This is the best little restroom in the west."