TOP STORY: We're bursting at the seams

STAFF REPORTERS
This year, it seems Hawke's Bay is on everyone's holiday destination list. Our beaches, wineries and shopping precincts are flush with visitors, and accommodation is filling up fast.
Already, many motels, hotels and backpackers are polishing up their "No Vacancy" signs.
Those that aren't full are certainly busy and their owners are looking forward to hosting a good mix of families and couples, domestic and international tourists.
Bluewater Hotel in Napier was one of the lucky ones over Christmas, with its 47 rooms and charter boat packed out, which surprised manager Jane Provines.
"The week before Christmas is usually pretty quiet but since the end of last week it's been really busy and it's likely to be this way for a while now," Miss Provines said. That seems to be the trend throughout the Bay.
The Quality Inn in Napier will be full for the next six weeks, the Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel is expected to be full for the next four weeks and the Bella Vista has been booked up for the past two days.
The Youth Hostel Association in Napier has been full for the past three nights.
Assistant manager Carol Fuller said visitors to Napier often underestimated the area's attractions, changed their mind and stayed longer than intended.
"I suspect many of our guests have somewhere to be over Christmas and New Year and pass through here. They fall in love with the place and end up extending their stay,"Ms Fuller said.
"It's the post-Christmas rush. Accommodation will be scarce if you haven't booked ahead. This is when you can't have a spontaneous holiday," she said.
The Napier information centre has been hit by a flood of visitors who have not booked in advance and are now having trouble finding room at any inn.
However, Hastings Motel Association of New Zealand secretary Esther Seymour said motels in Hastings had gained much of their business from spontaneous stopovers.
She said many out-of-towners were in Hastings "and even though Hastings is doing well we are under-marketed. People are noticing that it is a nice place and not too far to travel to Napier," Mrs Seymour said.
Central Hawke's Bay moteliers were also doing well as holidaymakers headed into the area for a taste of the country lifestyle and a spot of river fishing.
Fergusson's Lodge motel in Waipukurau was busy over Christmas and expected to be fully booked all January. Even guests who don't mind paying that extra dollar for a few luxuries may soon run out of options.
The plush Mangapapa Petit Hotel in Havelock North is expected to fill its rooms, at $1000-a-night per person, over the next month.
The hot, dry northwest wind blowing across Mahia Beach yesterday seemed to reel in holidaymakers from all over New Zealand.
With the Blue Bay camping ground now a subdivision, a spot at Mahia Beach was even harder to come by than usual. And with the searing heat, anything cool or shady was in demand.
Yesterday the perspiring hordes licked through three 16-litre cartons of cookies and cream icecream at the Mahia Beach Motel and Holiday Park shop.
"We're full up, sorry," was the word from manager Lucy Hutchings, who had about 700 people on site and was booked out until about January 4.
"There's a lot from Auckland and Wellington and from down Napier way too," Mrs Hutchings said.
Meanwhile, Waipatiki Farm Park just north of Napier has been full for about a week. Owner Bill Perry said he was still turning people away and the park's cabins were booked out until the end of January. Tent sites were booked up until the middle of the month.
"We're weather-dependent and the weather has been very good," Mr Perry said.