Campers flock to Whanganui sites despite mixed weather

Boston Hyland (left) and Jack Drake, both 13, have been busy at the Kai Iwi Holiday Park despite bad weather. Photo / Mike Tweed

Wind and rain are not enough to stop people flocking to Whanganui campsites this festive season.

Kai Iwi Beach Holiday Park manager Bruce Taylor said there were “some brave, Kiwi-style campers out there”.

“They’re a hardy bunch and didn’t get scared away, and we’re still having better weather than most,” he said.

“There’s a great spirit in the place. Kids are really robust too, they don’t care about the rain.”

Taylor said the park was busy, but there were still a few spaces left to rent.

There was a heavy downpour as the Chronicle drove to the Kai Iwi site on December 31, but blue skies soon appeared.

Boston Hyland and Jack Drake, both 13, had been at the campground for a week.

Hyland said the pair were doing a lot of fishing and motorbike riding, even in the rain.

“Or, we just sit inside. We come here every year, and we’ll be here until just past New Year’s.”

On the other side of the park, Warren and Linda Price were getting ready for new year celebrations.

They came equipped with a brand new air tent and gazebo this summer.

“Our last one got destroyed by the wind last year,” Warren Price said.

“But we’re here for the long haul, from December 21 to January 11.

“There’s been a bit of fishing, a bit of drinking, and seeing some old friends.”

Warren and Linda Price were gearing up for New Year’s Eve "frivolities". Photo / Mike Tweed

Linda Price said people came and went from the park, “but they’re all friendly”.

“We just love it. We’re from Whanganui, so it’s easy to pop home and stock up.

“Let’s hope it stays nice for our frivolities tonight. Wine is going in the freezer, and Coke for the rum. Happy days.”

The owner of the Top 10 Holiday Park in Aramoho, Jeannie Kay, said it was always a busy night on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s overcast and due to rain, but that’s the same as everyone else,” she said.

“Campers are generally pretty hardy. That’s not enough to put them off.”

Kay said current campers would stay until January 2 or 3, but the park would be busy right through the month.

Lakelands Holiday Park owner Jackie Dowman said there were around 15 tents on site for New Year’s Eve, with three more groups on their way.

“We’ve had regulars who come every year, and a lot of internationals in their campervans,” she said.

“I’m looking out at the lake (Wiritoa), and there are kids on paddleboards and biscuiting behind boats.

Pete and Lyn Crawford spend most of their summers at the Kai Iwi Beach Holiday Park. Photo / Mike Tweed

“Everyone’s making the most of today, with no wind or rain. So far, so good.”

At the Kai Iwi park, former Springvale Cafe owners Lyn and Pete Crawford were relaxing at their permanent site, which has a cabin, kitchen, and vegetable garden.

Lyn Crawford said they set up the site so they could leave the cafe after work, “and feel like we’re on holiday”.

“We spend most of the summer here, starting in around Octoberish,” she said.

“As long as it’s warm, the kids are out there in the rain. They’re jumping on the trampoline, and they don’t seem to care at all.”

The couple would go back into Whanganui later on New Year’s Eve “because it might be a bit noisy”.

She said they brought their children to Kai Iwi when they were young, and now their grandchildren camped there too.

“We definitely didn’t start off with this (cabin) though, we started with a tent. Now, it’s more like glamping.

“It’s pretty cool out here, definitely Whanganui’s best-kept secret.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.