Ana Apatu: We are all so spoilt for choice

Ana Apatu

We sit around the campfire and discuss how we are all so spoilt for choice.

My partner Goobs, his cousin Bongers and Bongers' partner Julie and I camp at the Mangaweka Camping Ground.

It is Anzac weekend and war stories are swapped. Bongers shares with us how his grandfather was injured from shrapnel in Gallipoli. He had to go to hospital each year because of his war injuries and and eventually died of those injuries 30 years later, aged 50. The four of us have been friends for more than 20 years.

Camping has become an annual event for us and this time we camp at a prime spot right by the spectacular Rangitikei River. The very same spot as last year. Like last year we are also lucky with the weather.

People swim, kayak, raft and fish. Someone fly fishing catches six trout, three of "good size" - over 2kg. Just over the bridge there is a more upmarket camping ground with cabins, outdoor tubs, and lodge accommodation, but we are hooked with this camping site under mature Kanukas, right on the river, thankfully away from where most people park up. We can bring dogs, light fires and there are gas showers.

The site faces a steep papa cliff which intermittently lets a stream of rocks and papa soil down into the river. We erect four tents, space for dogs, and all that we need for a long weekend camping.

We pull out a kiwi sizzler barbecue, gas and petrol burners, generator, copper thermettes, 12-volt fridges and chilly bins for supplies. We refer to being spoilt for choice with a lovely area in Aotearoa to camp up, with New Zealand locally brewed beer on hand.

My local brewery Roosters, in Omahu Rd, Hastings, brews a tasty beer (Haymaker,) our friends' local beer Tuatara Porter and Pilsner. Blow-up airbeds, cotton sheets, jazz radio music is streamed, table cloths set. This is glamorous camping (glamping) at its best.

There is a gentle stream of visitors through the site, local and international, who come to us for coffee and conversation. Taiwanese James and his partner Olivia believe New Zealanders have a good life. Parisian Clement tells us he thinks New Zealand is fantastic but expensive. (No kidding).

I am however concerned that he admits to not enjoying our wine. He sheepishly admits his spending range is only $11-12. My cousin Ollie Powrie, Villa Maria, tells me our 2013-2014 vintage is one of the best and wine of this vintage is very good quality, without having to spend too much.

I share the names of a few low-cost wines that I hope Clement will enjoy. Clement is heading to Hawke's Bay over the Taihape Rd and asks me which three wineries he should visit - I mention Mission Estate, Te Awa and Craggy Range. But the list is so long that how can one choose, because we are spoilt for choice. A family from Hunterville bring their children and put up a canvas tent - the kids run races past us as we time them and cheer them on.

They join our camp fire to toast marshmallows. A builder from Paraparaumu pulls up on his Aprilia motorbike. His frustration spills over when discussing how ridiculous compliance, red tape and the cost associated with building has become. There is an enduring common theme with all guests and discussions that good friends, family and enjoying the simple things in life are the key ingredients to happiness. We look at all the RVs and dream about retirement and travelling. I quietly reflect on how lucky I am because I enjoy my work so much.

We hunt for firewood, walk the riverside and have a very quick dip (the water is freezing).

We stream jazz radio, light fires, cook lovely food each evening and laugh. The days run into each other.

On the last morning as we dismantle our site, the camp-site owner pulls up. The weather is rough up-country, he tells us. Somehow Mangaweka has again been a micro climate of sunny, warm weather. We have been blessed. We pay our $7 per night fees and depart for Taihape for brunch and very good coffee.

We are spoilt for choice.

-Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere