Here Keith witnessed the poverty that was part of many lives in the settlement, and his father’s willingness to give credit, even though he was often the loser himself. His father bought his first car in 1914, and soon after saw an opening in the limited transport facilities available in their district to begin the first of the Laugesen motor transport ventures. The family moved to Christchurch to enable Keith to attend high school at Christchurch Technical School. In 1923, his father, looking for a new challenge purchased 700 acres at Kapitea, just south of Kumara Junction on the West Coast. There 16-year-old Keith worked alongside his father clearing and breaking in the land. It was hard work with many set- backs and the returns were poor. Money was scarce and after 2 years the family struggled to meet the mortgage repayments. 

Keith’s determination to do better for himself saw him leave the family farm in 1926 to work as a farm hand in Parnassus, then as a coach driver for NZ Railways services, based in Kirwee.

In 1929 the opportunity came for him to buy the Christchurch - Methven bus service in partnership with his father. This was the beginning Keith’s long association with the transport industry.

In 1933 Keith married Ena Rainforth, a daughter of John Rainforth, a prominent builder and property developer in Palmerston North.  Ena had gained a MA degree with first class honours in Latin in 1929. She taught French, English and Latin at Oamaru Girls High School and Palmerston North Girls High School. As was the custom she did not teach after she was married.  Keith and Ena had three sons – Murray, John and Bruce.

The next few years saw the expansion of the Laugesen transport ventures to include passenger, commuter and long-distance freight services; touring and sightseeing; coach building and servicing; and rental cars culminating in the purchase of the Hertz rental car operation and franchise for New Zealand in 1977.  Keith moved through the ranks from bus driver to Managing Director of Midland Motorways Services, with the company publicly listed on the Stock Exchange in 1970 and changing its name to Midland Coachlines Limited soon after. At the time of the 50th anniversary of Midland in 1979, the company celebrated the expansion of the service from a 2 bus family partnership into a diverse national transport company with over 500 staff, 84 passenger coaches and 1400 rental vehicles.  

Keith was a member of the Christchurch Rotary Club and he and Ena were faithful members of St Ninians Presbyterian Church, both quietly making generous contributions to many Canterbury educational, religious and social charities.

In 1982, Keith sold his business, and in keeping with their intention to assist charitable organisations and individuals without access to funds from other sources, Keith and Ena Laugesen contributed $500,000 of their accumulated capital to establish the Keith Laugesen Charitable Trust, administered initially by the Christchurch Rotary Club. The Trust Deed was established in 1982 confirming the appointment of Trustees from Rotary Clubs in Christchurch and representatives of the Laugesen family.