Paradise found at Mahia

While many of us have returned to the daily grind of work there are still plenty in holiday mode. Gisborne Herald reporter Wynsley Wrigley and photographer Rebecca Grunwell were more than happy to make the short car ride to Mahia to talk to those enjoying this summer paradise. Adela Wypych, Keeley and Bridie Finch in the kayak.

THEY come from everywhere for a classic Kiwi-style beachside Christmas-New Year holiday at Mahia; from Gisborne, Palmerston North, Hastings, Napier, Dannevirke, Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and even Australia.

Like many holidaymakers, Mark Tamanui, from Hastings, and Chris Bone, from Dannevirke, are regular visitors to this summer paradise. Both bring their families to Mahia, just as their parents did with them.

Mr Tamanui was holidaying at Mahia for the 13th consecutive year, having enjoyed his first holidays there as a child.

Mr Bone’s daughter Bridget said of her father: “He’s been coming here all his life.”

Mr Bone, Bridget (15) and Natalie (11) were enjoying the water when The Herald visited. They rent a Mahia property each year.

“It’s not summer without coming to Mahia,’’ said Mr Bone. “It's a place that never changes.’’

Mr Tamanui and his family have been staying at Mahia Beach Holiday Park.

As a child he and his parents stayed at Opoutama’s Blue Bay motor camp, controversially sold to a property developer more than 10 years ago.

Today the former campsite stands empty and desolate. Mr Tamanui said one of the attractions was the numerous swimming options at Mahia, Opoutama, Mahanga and Oraka.

Wife Kim said they booked two Christmases ahead last year and had two sites in a different part of the camp booked for 2017.

“It’s important to get the best site,’’ she said.

Making friends with campersThere had been some wind and recent rain but that was the nature of camping, as was making friends with campers they met each summer.

Daughter Hanna said she enjoyed “lollies, swimming and lollies”.

Aucklander Aaron Crabb, another regular, said his family had camped at Anaura Bay earlier in their holiday.

He had just extended his Mahia booking for another two days.

“We know people here and you get to know other people.”

“It’s awesome,’ said son Stan. “We play cricket and soccer, and tonight we are going swimming.’’

Mahia Holiday Park operator Melanie Isherwood said she had many regular, long-term visitors.

“It’s important that they get the same site very year,’’ she said.

The camp had been fully booked over Christmas but there had been vacant sites in the last few days.

“If you want to be here next Christmas, book now, definitely,” she said, adding that some campers had booked five years ahead.

Campers there came from a range of places including Palmerston North, Wellington, Auckland and Tauranga.

Weather-wise it had been a “funny year . . . but Christmas campers have been very positive. All has gone to plan”.

Iain Faithful said family members from Wellington, Christchurch and Australia had rented two side-by-side beach houses, and Mahia was a favourite family holiday spot.

Another family member, 10-year-old Keeley Finch from Christchurch, was kayaking when The Herald arrived.

Boogie boarding and petanque were among their favourite holidays activities, she said.

With the first wave of Christmas holidaymakers having returned home, the beach was far from crowded. The Herald could have interviewed and photographed everyone on the beach without too much trouble.

Everyone was affable and good natured, and happy to talk to The Herald.

The only sign of disharmony was Keeley’s sister Bridie disputing who was the better petanque player.