Mount aims to build on family-friendly reputation

Mount Maunganui is shaking off its reputation as a place for teenage revellers at New Year, with more families holidaying there this summer.
Leslie Preston, of Bachcare Holiday Homes, said there was a trend towards more families and older people visiting the Mount compared with other years.
"It certainly has been an older crowd this season so far and that has probably led to less problems [with bach rentals]," Ms Preston said. "It does feel like that reputation is starting to shift and families, couples and older people are coming back."
The organisation has a nine-night minimum stay over New Year, to attract "the right people".
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Tim Burgess said there was "no question" that families were now heading to the Mount in droves.
Tauranga City Council and the police had worked hard to make New Year celebrations at Mount Maunganui family-friendly and alcohol free, he said.
"I think that reputation is starting to get out there a bit more.
"As our reputation grows, so does the amount of families coming.
"There hasn't really been any serious trouble [at New Year] for years.
"It's certainly a far better reputation to have that you are a family-friendly destination, and one we want to nurture and encourage."
Police made 162 arrests at Mount Maunganui on New Year's Eve, mostly for minor disorder and breach of the liquor ban - that's 73 less than last New Year's Eve at the Mount.
Ms Preston said that Bachcare had not experienced any problems with holidaymakers renting houses in the Mount and Papamoa.
That was in contrast to other areas, including in the Coromandel where a family had up to 12 people staying in a house rented for eight.
That renter was slapped with a $1000 penalty and lost his $300 bond. "We had a very busy Christmas and New Year at Mount and Papamoa," Ms Preston said.
"Things were very good, people really enjoyed their stays and really enjoyed the lovely weather.
"We didn't have any issues of overcrowding or people breaching terms and conditions that we know of.
"People seemed to have a pretty good time."
Ms Preston said issues in other areas were spread out through the Coromandel, Northland and the upper South Island.
She was not aware of a "hotspot" for older teens to congregate, saying they seemed to flock to several places across the country.
And the biggest problem holidaymakers created when hiring baches was overcrowding, she said.
"They book a house for so many people, and more people end up staying, whether that be intentionally or people stopping by and ending up staying the night."
Overcrowding put pressure on the water supply in houses that were not used year-round and unable to cope with the demand.
"Some towns are not on public water supply, they are on  bore or private supply or tank water, and they run out.
"We are also mindful of neighbours - the noise spills over to the neighbours when there are more people coming and going,
"That's usually the biggest issue this time of the year, when the house is the focal point, people are having barbecues."