Hawke's Bay holiday destinations chocker despite poor weather

Matt Lander and his son Marco Lander, 8, from Wellington, enjoy activities at the Hastings Top 10 Holiday Park. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay's pull as a camping destination of choice remains unhindered by recent bad weather, with campgrounds around the region still chocker with holidaymakers.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said despite the wind and rain it had been a case of "so far so good" for the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

"Despite some not-so-great weather, there are still plenty of people out enjoying themselves. Everyone will be looking forward to a brighter forecast over the next few days."

Hawke's Bay Holiday Park in Bay View was just one of a host of holiday parks putting up the no vacancies sign this week.

"We've been very busy," holiday park manager Jo Searle said.

"We were fully booked yesterday with just one powered site left, but we have been just about fully booked every night. We have a lot of fruit-pickers in here at the moment as well.

"The weather is really hard to judge here, the weather can come through and then blow away, so some people are taking the risk and others are deciding to go somewhere else. We still have quite a few people who are tenting in here at the moment."

David Aflallo, the general manager at Napier's Kennedy Park Resort, said the weather had not deterred its regular visitors.

"It's been so far, so good. It's cold and some of our regular visitors who have been coming here for years say they've never had it so cold but we have been fully booked most nights."

Bookings for New Year were also looking "very busy". "Let's just hope the weather improves."

Mahia Holiday Park co-owner Sharelle Creswell said the park was basically fully booked until January 2.

"We're flat tack, we're absolutely booked out until New Year. We only have a couple of non-powered sites left."

Mrs Creswell said the weather did not seem to have affected anyone's holiday plans.

"We know Mahia is a real New Year destination but we are surprised, given the weather, that most people are still coming and hunkering down - it's neat. Everybody has been really positive, even with the bad weather."

Wellington-based Matt Lander, camping at the Hastings Top 10 Holiday Park with his wife, Lenaire, and children, Marco, 8, and Rosea, 5, said the weather was not an issue when Hawke's Bay had so much to offer.

"We've been here for two nights and have another four nights to go. The weather hasn't been great but it's looking better, so we're going to hold on.

"Hawke's Bay is just such a nice place to come and relax. It's not too far from Wellington and there's lots to see and do.

"The kids are loving it, they love camping and they are looking forward to going to Splash Planet - when the weather improves."

A MetService severe weather watch was still in place for northern Hawke's Bay yesterday and MetService forecaster Cam Coutts said campers should make sure they were prepared.

"If you are on the east coast make sure your camping equipment and any loose objects are secure and take care if travelling.

"Also for those out fishing or enjoying our oceans, there are large swells to contend with on top of the wind and rain."