Dannevirke: Tararua stand inundated at show

The Tararua District Council's stand at the recent national show in Auckland was simply the best, according to the judges.

The stand at the Motorhome, Caravan and Outdoor super show won stand of the show and was inundated with visitors keen to learn more about our district.

"This was the first time we'd had a space at the show and to win was pretty amazing," said Lianne Simpkin, council's economic development and communications manager.

Mrs Simpkin said the decision to have a stand at the event was made because it was the right synergy with council's motorhome strategy.

"The interest in our stand was huge. We ran out of the 900 visitor guides we took, along with all our packages of speciality guides, such as golfing and antique tours and the men's and women's day out information. The response was phenomenal and our people on the stand, Renee Floyd, a new staff member, and Carole Wilton, who has had 20 years Tararua tourism experience, were on cloud nine."

Council's motorhome initiative has been one of the better ones, Mrs Simpkin said.

"Dannevirke and Woodville have their motorhome friendly accreditation and we're working on the Pahiatua one now. The dump station in Pongaroa has opened up travel through Route 52 and motorhomes are now infiltrating all areas of the Tararua. You should see them lined up in Eketahuna. It's impressive."

Mrs Simpkin said the motorhomers take their rubbish away with them and are spending $68 a day in the district and you can forget the stereotypical golden oldie caravaners.

"Younger Wellington people are getting into their motorhomes and escaping," she said.