Walking around and seeing families laid back enjoying a tipple in the sun, with Mauao to one side and beach to the other, Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park is the epitome of summer.
With towels and togs hanging from makeshift washing lines in a light breeze, the atmosphere is laid back and friendly. Right on the beachfront lounging in the sun, you'll find the Twyman and Wilson families spread out on deckchairs, equipped with sunnies and a good book or two, glad to be back at their favourite holiday site.
Ian Twyman has been taking his daughters Grace and Claire there every summer for about 17 years and has been making the trip for about 35 years himself. Their prime spot on the beach has been in the family for decades, he said.
"We love the spot. Such a great view, we're right on the beach, and there's a fair bit of family history involved here."
Each year the Twymans make the journey from Taupo to catch up with friends who are also regulars at the park - over barbecues, dinners, drinks and a few games of cards. Sharing their holiday with friends Chris and Kerry Wilson, the group is on the beach every day swimming, sunbathing or just reading, and occasionally they'll tackle the trek up Mauao.
"It's been great. Always is. It's such a great location and it's a very family oriented place so it's great for kids. It's great to be able to see them grow up with their holiday friends that they've met here. We like meeting people who are doing similar sort of things and it just becomes a habitual thing once or twice a year."
News of the Rena and the unseasonal weather didn't put this lot off for a second. "I just think it's a New Zealand pastime to come to places like this for holidays. That kind of stuff doesn't change the people here. It doesn't change the atmosphere. Even if it's raining you can still hang out inside and read or play cards or something, it's still a fantastic place to come to," Mr Twyman said.
Park manager Mark Hales said the proof was in the bookings that neither Rena nor rain had dampened the summer rush. "It's been going well, with all the things that have happened with the Rena and the weather, it's still been on a par with last year and we're still getting more and more bookings. Of course we've got our regular campers that have been coming here for 50 or 60-odd years and overseas people are coming along more.
"[It's] probably the location. You've got a surf beach on one side and the harbour on the other, plus Mauao that people can walk up and down and around. I think people also like it because you can just park up here and walk into town or to the beach."
Mr Hales also spoke of park regulars Don and Laura Murray, who have been coming here for decades and are the embodiment of summer romance. He said they met at the park as children holidaying with their families, later ended up married and continue to return to the park with family of their own even now. "It's just great that they met here and they kept coming back like that," Mr Hales said.