Northland holiday park gets top mark

CEO Top 10 Holiday Parks David Ovendale (left) with Jane McComb of the Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park and Derek Batchelor-Cook, domestic trade manager for KiwiRail Scenic Journeys and Interislander. Photo / Supplied

A Northland Top 10 Holiday Park has scooped a national accolade for an enterprising couple who dumped their Auckland life for the peaceful Kauri Coast.

Chosen from 47 franchises throughout New Zealand, the Kauri Coast park was named this year's supreme award winner in the Top 10 Holiday Parks' annual awards.

The 2ha park was bought by Chris and Jane McComb two years ago after they left their Auckland lifestyle behind.

The couple are set to open an equestrian centre on the large site in October, thanks to Jane's international coaching certificate as a riding instructor.

"We have such a lovely big area, so we want to be able to offer riding holidays for people, who have their own horses, and also riding lessons to all our guests," said Ms McComb.

Chris had worked at a plumbing and gas-fitting business while Jane worked in administration and human resources.

Ms McComb also worked for the then Hotel and Catering Training Board back in her native Britain.

"It had always been our long-term goal to buy a holiday park or something similar. The life is certainly different but between Chris and I, we have a varied skill set. Chris can handle maintenance and construction issues while my background in hospitality means that I understand what we need on that front. It's a winning combination," she said.

"The park is beautiful and peaceful. The people who come here are usually lovely. When they arrive they sometimes look tired and frazzled. But within an hour you see them walking around the park with a smile on their face. It's a very positive atmosphere."

She was thrilled when she heard that they had won the award.

"There are so many awesome operators out there doing a great job. I was astonished but very grateful for the recognition of what we're doing."

Kauri Coast also won the best-branded park and was runner-up for the biggest increase in online sales.