Fifty years camping at the Mount

A tradition of summer beach-side living in the Bay spans more than 50 years for one family.

Brian Hayes of Otorohanga has been coming to Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park to relax and unwind for as long as he can remember.

"I'm 52 now, and I started coming here when I was a baby," he said. "So we're talking over 50 years."

Mr Hayes and his family regularly secured prime camping positions looking out over the beach. His parents drove them up from the Wairarapa.

His fondest memories of his Mount holidays were of his mother taking him fishing down at the wharf, and swimming every summer.

"Mum used to sit there all day," Mr Hayes said, pointing towards the beach in front of the surf club. "It was a good spot."

People often walked by and would make comments to the family about what a great spot they had.

Mr Hayes said the addition of large buildings behind the campsite was the biggest change in the area over the years, adding to the long-standing Oceanside pub and an ice cream shop.

The Mount has been a meeting ground for the extended family as well.

"Quite often all my family will meet up here. Last October Dad arrived here in his camper, I had two brothers with their caravans, so there was all of us here."

Daughter Nicki Hayes remembered spending New Years with her friends as a highlight of her camping days.

Mother Renee Hayes also began the yearly jaunt to the Mount after Mr Hayes got her into it.

"I just like relaxing here," she said. "We've been coming since the kids were little."