Mangatainoka Reserve gets $200,000

A popular Mangatainoka campsite is in for a $200,000 upgrade.

Just down the road from the Tui Brewery, the Mangatainoka Reserve will get a new block of two toilets, a shower and a solarpowered compacting rubbish bin.

Tourism Minster Kelvin Davis has announced a $19.3 million funding package divided among 31 councils and community groups for projects to improve tourism infrastructure, such as campsites, walkways and car parks. Tararua District Council will receive $102,404 towards the reserve upgrade and the council will chip in about $100,000.

New Zealand Motor Caravan Association chief executive Bruce Lochore said Tararua was becoming a popular region for motorhome and caravan trips. The Mangatainoka Reserve, in particular, was on many travellers’ ‘‘must-do’’ lists thanks to the Tui Brewery.

‘‘[Tararua] makes us feel welcome. It’s the little things like this [upgrade] that really make the difference.’’

Council economic development and communications manager Mark Maxwell said the region has benefited greatly from an influx of campers over the past year or two.

But the rapid increase of freedom campers and other visitors led to problems with littering and a lack of toilets, as the infrastructure strained to cope. Maxwell said the the funding application for the reserve’s improved facilities was made after talks with Tui Brewery, which agreed to a partnership, the brewery maintaining the facilities if the council ensured they were built. Council community assets and property manager Colin Veale said a portion of the funding will go towards a trial for the solarpowered bins, which will also be installed at Waihi Falls and at the Akitio and Herbertville beaches. The council estimated the bins could save up to 60 per cent in operating costs, since the compactors allowed the bins to hold more rubbish before they needed emptying.

‘‘It’s the little things like this [upgrade] that really make the difference.’’ Bruce Lochore, NZ Motor Caravan Association