Business picking up

Jake Restieaux (8) simulates taking over the controls of a crane cab at Port Otago's Take a Kid to Work Day on Friday.

Forty children donned hard hats and toured a crane, rode on the tug Otago and experienced a 360deg view of the area with virtual reality headsets.

Port Otago cruise manager Carolyn Bennett said the event followed a similar initiative a week earlier.

"We hosted them through our cruise terminal... separate from our main business. It's not a place where they can come every day."

The port worked hard to ensure child safety, she said.

"They absolutely loved it. I think there will be some cool stories when they go back to school on Monday."