The kids scramble for lollies as Hana Koko (Santa Claus) arrives at the Forest Pools opening by quad bike.
Concerns about vandalism, thefts and an accident in which a camper van tumbled into a river have prompted a Far North community to take charge of a popular picnic spot.
Forest Pools, just off State Highway 1 north of Okaihau, was until recently a Department of Conservation campground. It is
also a popular picnic area and swimming spot on the edge of Puketi Omahuta Forest.
Earlier this year a group of Waihou Valley residents approached DOC with their concerns about behaviour at the campground, particularly thefts and ongoing vandalism.
They formed a group called Te Mauri o Waihou which has taken over management of Forest Pools and spent the past four months working with DOC to upgrade the area. The new-look Forest Pools opened on December 5 with a blessing, the unveiling of a carved welcome sign and a whanau day. It is now a picnic area with no overnight camping.
Plans to decorate a new toilet block with a mural, painted by local kids and a street artist going by the name of Chile, were postponed due to rain. The weather cleared later for a shared lunch, children's games and a visit by Hana Koko (Santa Claus), who traded his sleigh for a quad bike for the day. The blessing was conducted by Minister Jenny Henare.
