And then the worker holding the stop and go sign turns, giving you a big smile and an acknowledgement that she is sorry to hold you up.

You can only smile back, before you are waved off to continue your day.

Men At Work's Tegan Wiseman and Krystal Tahitahi have created quite the stir as the "smiling lollipop ladies" on several road works in recent months.

The duo say most motorists understand that it's not their fault for stopping them.

"It's just nice to be acknowledged that we are just human beings out here doing our job," Krystal says.

Both joined the Men At Work team following recommendations from friends and have embraced a positive outlook for their work roles. No matter the job site.

They say being part of a good crew provides a real sense of camaraderie and creates a great working environment.

Krystal says completing the job on time and safely for her employer and the contractor is important and the key focus to her role.

"But it doesn't mean that I can't or shouldn't interact with the motorists, which is the side of the job I really love.

"The reaction you get from many motorists is great. If I can make them smile, I've won - I take it as a bit of a challenge.

"Everyone seems in such a rush these days.

"So for us to go and stop them - I understand that it is for road maintenance or other works - but people are always in a rush and don't really want to stop.

"But if we can acknowledge them, make them smile, give them a bit of an apology for slowing them down, they tend to take the stoppage a bit better."

Krystal says she couldn't see herself working on a work site and not having that kind of interaction.

Tegan says the majority of people take the stop and go delays a little bit better than some others.

"We just want to see them smile, before we can get them restarted as quickly and safely as possible," she said.

"That way, everyone is happy, the motorist, our team and our clients.

"In the end though, everyone driving through has become a bit of a mate. We have regulars now, we've even had people detouring just to give us a wave.

"We've even had kids on buses with signs waving at us."

She said the reaction had been "crazy but it is fantastic".

The duo said the support of the team and creating a good working environment "really makes your day".

Men At Work's business operations coordinator Joe Treadwell says he has been amazed by the public's support.

"Creating that really good team environment is just part of the success of Tegan and Krystal," he said.

"What's also important is that when you finish a project, particularly when you are locally-based, you can point to it and say: I was involved in that job.

"That community involvement is just so good. There is a real sense of achievement and also knowing that everyone is benefiting from your work.

"Being locally based, either at Men At Work or Eire Construction, means that we are all invested in this town so we have an important job to do."

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