CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Before

After

Campers of all stripes are feeling the impact of our changing weather. Both Kaiteriteri’s Bethany Park in Tasman and Quinney’s Bush (also in Tasman; above) face a big cleanup after 2 once-in-100-year floods in a fortnight. A mini-tornado destroyed one camper and upturned another in Tauranga Bay in Northland. The damage from Cyclone Gabriel is still being remedied 2 years later, and some of the devastated campsites seem unlikely to reopen.

Narrow winding roads through our steep mountains and hills, leading to more out of the way places are very vulnerable to slips and reinstatement is not quick, and each time raises question about the economics of repair. Read Vunerable Roads

National funding for extreme weather events has been repurposed for things this government considers more important so the energy, effort and costs of recovery as well as of future-proofing for changing weather is left to famillies, businesses, and local councils.

How, as campers, can we support affected campgrounds? If we want to keep camping facilities alive in remote and beautiful parts of the country, what can we do? 🏕️

Tiaki mai, tiaki atu, Miriam Richardson, Editor

Above photos: ©2025 Quinneys Bush