John Herlihy

John Herlihy is the president of the self-proclaimed Whangamōmona Republic in New Zealand. Initially opposed to the sealing of the Tāngarākau Gorge due to its status as one of the last remaining unsealed highways, he later acknowledged the improvements made to the road and embraced the positive impact it has had on tourism. Herlihy expressed concerns about increased speeds on the newly sealed road but praised the smoothness and the attraction it brings to visitors.