Park up at the beach
More than 100 people joined the opening ceremony of the newest park of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association held in Waihi Beach last Saturday.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the NZMCA say the park is the result of nearly three years of collaboration between the two entities.
Members of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) rallied in Waihi Beach to formally open their new park.
On Emerton Road, the park has been open since December but the official ceremony with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council staff and Mayor Garry Webber took place last Saturday.
It took three years for the NZMCA and council to complete the project with the NZMCA leasing the 5000 sq m of land to the council.
“We are really proud of the process that we have gone through while working together,” Mayor Garry Webber said, before he cut the ribbon with long-time NZMCA member Audrey Grey.
Mr Webber said that motorhoming is becoming an increasingly popular hobby, despite recent discussions on freedom camping.
“We need to make sure that the birthright of New Zealanders is to be able to go to the beach with their kids, and live in a tent and as they get older they might buy a caravan or later a motorhome, and you have to make New Zealand what it is there for. So it is pretty good to be part of that.”
NZMCA vice president Ross Hamilton said that members are the driving force of the organisation.
“It is about volunteers, how we can work together in our organisation to make things happen and this park is a typical example.
“We needed some help and direction and Peter Watson [Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Reserves and Facilities Manager] and his team were really good,” he said.
More than 100 NZMCA members rallied to share a lunch, bubbles and cut the cake. A row of trees was planted alongside the site.
Park custodian Frank Tarry, who is the chairman of the Central Bay of Plenty branch and Self-Containment officer, said NZMCA is appreciative of having a home of its own in Waihi Beach.
“Since we have opened, locals have given us a warm welcome, especially the RSA and the Boat Club.
“We like to be involved in the local community and in this way, some of our members will take part of the next spring clean up in September. It is a way to give back to the community,” he said. The park can fit 60 motorhomes, each paying a $3 fee to stay and it is for NZMCA members only.
“Our goal is to provide pleasing facilities but we do not want it to be camping ground so please do not ask us when we will install showers. We are not going to do that,” Ross said.
The organisation has 43 parks across New Zealand and opened six in the last six months.
Mr Hamilton said that property development represents 60 per cent of NZMCA’s assets.
“Our assets are about $16 millions, and 10 of that is in developing properties. We are keen to do other deals like this with other councils as we pay for the development of land,” Ross said.