For the past 31 years, campers at Vinegar Hill near Hunterville have crowned a new "queen" on New Year's Eve.
Gay men, lesbian women and transgender recipients have always been chosen to wear the crown since coronations began in 1986.
But 2017 saw a marked departure from tradition with two queens crowned and they are both straight.
Heterosexual couple Tisha and Ian Klein were elected by a Queens Council held at the Putai Ngahere Reserve where the camp is held each year.
"Tisha has been the official photographer for about eight years and her husband, Ian, has worked behind the scenes doing electrical and technical work," said camp organiser and former Queen of Vinegar Hill Calum Bennachie.
"There were lots of complaints about the increase in fees from Manawatu District Council. From $6 to $9 per person a night."
Mr Bennachie said many regular campers believed this was unfair because the toilet and shower facilities were "vastly inferior" to the ones at the northern end of the campgrounds.
"The south end where we camp has long drop-style toilets that can be smelt 25m away on a calm day.
"Showers are tacked on the end with no shower curtains until one of the campers here added them."
The camp fees help to pay for security services and the council has engaged Armourguard Security to deal with anti-social behaviour at the reserve.
Helane Percy and Gemma Potaka took their feline companions along.
Photo / Stuart Munro
Mr Bennachie said two men from the north campground came and "faced off" on the stage during New Year's Eve celebrations.
"We called security but they took an hour to arrive and by then the guys' friend had got them off the stage and some of our guys escorted them back to their campsite."
Manawatu District Council spokesman Paul Stein said the fee increase was to cover the costs of the additional amenities and services such as an increased security presence for the New Year and providing additional portaloos for visitors.
"This year we replaced a toilet block and have provided new showers at the southern end of the Vinegar Hill camp grounds," he said.
"Access to the river is primarily for pedestrians rather than vehicles, this ensures that the river bank can be enjoyed by the swimmers without being concerned about vehicles."
Mr Stein said the council have not been made aware of any trouble at the camp on New Year's Eve and they will be checking with the security company about the response time.
"Manawatu District Council is constantly working to improve the facilities in all of our reserves, and we welcome feedback from users about how they are performing and how they could be improved."
The council is reviewing their reserve management plans and Mr Stein said comment is welcome on the consultation site.
