KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand motor-home and caravan expo being held at the Waikato Events Centre, from February 28 until March 2, is the industry's premiere event.
This year's promises to be the most exciting so far, with more exhibitors, stalls and visitors.
The event is for those who love the outdoor lifestyle and want to see the latest developments in motor-homes, caravans and fifth-wheelers.
More and more people are enjoying an independent recreational lifestyle exploring the New Zealand countryside in comfort and style.
The attraction appears to be the ability to up sticks at a moment's notice and move somewhere different.
There's also the added bonus of not having to return each summer to the house or bach you've been going to for years.
"The ability to go anywhere, at any time, pretty much did it for us," said new converts Rudi and Yvonne, who recently bought a fifth-wheeler. "We thought about buying a bach but you're fixed to going to the one place all the time. We got the fifth-wheeler because it has a better ride than a caravan and it's better than a motor-home because when you arrive somewhere you can pretty much plonk it on site, unhitch, put the legs down and you have a normal vehicle to drive around in.
"If one of us has to go into town ... the others can stay behind and enjoy the accommodation," said Rudi.
"It's a lot more comfortable than a motor-home," said Yvonne.
"And, with a bit more practice, it'll be quite easy to drive. You've got storage space because the car is not part of the accommodation."
Today's motor-homes, caravans and fifth-wheelers are affordable, efficient and can be customised to meet specific owner requirements.
"We're now in our fourth year," said event organiser Norm Evans. "The boating industry always had their shows but the motor-home industry really didn't have one to market and display all its stuff. It's the fastest growing industry in New Zealand and there are tens of thousands of members belonging to the New Zealand motor-home and caravan association.
"It seems to be the baby-boomers and younger ones who have bought into this way of travelling and seeing the country.
"There's a huge niche in the overall marketplace and we're putting on an event in the South Island now. From the first year to the second year, it grew by about 33 per cent and, every year after that, it's grown by at least 20 per cent. And, this year, we've got close to 200 exhibitors and manufacturers from here and Australia on display.
"We have 8000sq m under cover and maybe another 15 acres of display and parking for the rally."
Other expo attractions are camping and outdoor equipment, accessories and new product releases, including two brand new motor-homes by boat builder Andrew Fink.
Kea Campers are trying to build a sixth-berth motor-home during the four days of the event.
Also worth having a look at will be the Track Trailer Tvan and the Leisure POD.
This tiny trailer comes with a 36-litre water tank, battery, gas bottle, double bed a two-burner stove, two drawers and five shelves, canvas walls and heaps of optional extras.
Evans said attendance was just shy of 20,000 last year, which was 20 per cent up on the previous year's attendance.
A rally organised by the association (NZMCA) coincides with the event and organisers are expecting more than 400 vehicles on the grounds adjacent to the expo site.
The line-up of fresh ideas to get the most from being on the road and masters of your own destiny, ranges from American style Big Wheels motor-homes to the advanced engineering of the take-it-with-you-almost-anywhere Track Trailer Tvan.
New Zealand design and finish quality is notable in many motor-homes and campervans. Caravans built with New Zealand conditions in mind show plenty of original thought.
International designs are well represented with Australia's biggest builder of recreational vehicles, Jayco, showing the latest designs in its caravan range, plus its well-priced motor-homes.
The event is formulated to give a total overview of the motor-home, caravan and campervan industry. All associated products for this industry are on display.
This is New Zealand's largest motor-home and caravan expo, with more than 150 companies attending.
Those wishing to sell their vehicle at the rally will need to reconsider, as the organisers now have a strict policy that you cannot display vehicles for sale, as in the past it's caused problems for exhibitors.
Booking will be on a "first in" basis.
For any enquiries regarding the rally, please call Wayne Francis on 09-412-5261 or 0274-939-391
Adults are $12 or $18.00 for a Liberty Pass (unlimited re-entry for the duration of the exhibition), children $3 and under-fives are free.
