New place opens for happy campers
The 39th park owned and run by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association opened in the Far North on Saturday.
Dozens of caravans, motor homes and well-wishers converged on Te Ranginui Place, Tokerau Beach, on Saturday, kaumatua and NZMCA board member Brian Stanley (Ngati Rereahu) beginning with a traditional blessing of the land and all those who would use it in the future.
Board member Cliff Horncy thanked the Far North District Council, and the community, for their support in the development of the park.
It will be for the use of NZMCA members only, and is licensed for up to 50 selfcontained vehicles (occupied by those known to some as Grey Nomads but never freedom campers).
Mayor John Carter commended the association for taking the initiative to provide a wonderful resource for its members.
It was not those in selfcontained vehicles who gave campers a bad name, he said, but the few who do not have facilities on-board and who camped without regard for the environment, an inconsiderate group that, sadly, was growing in numbers.
He said he would like to see all vehicles hired to holidaymakers self-contained.
Te Hiku Community Board member Lawrie Atkinson drew attention to Civil Defence matters, and suggested the association might be interested in the community’s plan to develop walking and cycle tracks.
Four more parks are currently being developed across the country for NZMCA members, which which take the total to 43. Property committee member Pete Wilcox said the association had investigated the Karikari area for some years before finding the property at Te Ranginui.
“We were told it might need a bit of work,” he added, “but that was an understatement.”
Extra soil had been needed, and extensive drainage was installed to prepare the land for heavy vehicles.
NZMCA president Bruce Stanger said the association was now part of the Karikari community, and wanted to be a good neighbour.
“We want to help in any way we can,” he said.
In the past members had removed rubbish from beaches, and now that they had a property on the peninsula there may be other ways they could contribute.
Meanwhile, two life members who live in the Far North, Alan Bond (Rangiputa) and George Wilson (Kaikohe), cut the ribbon, followed by the planting of 22 pohutukawa trees.
Mr Carter planted the first one and Mr Atkinson the second, representatives of some of the association’s 26 regions around the country taking care of the rest.
Far North foundation members Sharron and Chris King cut the cake, made and decorated by Naomi Horncy, including a version of the small gumdigger’s hut (made of recycled materials) that sits at the park entrance.