Taupo holiday camp closure 'a sham'

New Year's Eve at Taupo Motor Camp. Picture / Richard Robinson

A campground on Conservation land will almost certainly close, despite the issue causing hot debate during the election campaign.

The Taupo District Council, which administers the Tongariro Domain alongside State Highway 1 on behalf of DoC, wants the land for a riverside park.

Taupo Motor Camp manager Peter Johanson said public consultation on the closure was a "sham" because residents were asked only about the new park, not the camp closure.

"This is just another nail in the coffin of the average Kiwi holiday," he said.

"I've got people who have been coming here for 30 years and they're gutted."

During the election campaign, Conservation Minister Chris Carter agreed with National leader Don Brash that 25 new campgrounds on DoC land was "not a bad idea".

The issue was highlighted after Dr Brash said 20 campgrounds had closed in the past three years.

Recent campgrounds to close are Whangamata, Whangarei Heads and Hot Water Beach.

Yesterday a spokesman for Mr Carter said the minister was looking into the Taupo situation but understood there was little he could do because the land was vested in the council.

Winston Hoare, a Palmerston North schoolteacher who has camped at Taupo Motor Camp for 26 years, said campers had hoped for a partial closure but now it appeared certain the whole camp would close by late April next year.

"Now it looks like we'll be out after Easter, and we will miss it hugely," he said.

The draft plan for the new riverside park included a river walk and outdoor amphitheatre for concerts.

But Mr Hoare said Taupo already had more parks and green areas than just about any other North Island city.

The council appeared to want to turn Taupo into another Queenstown, with tent and caravan sites replaced by apartments.

"But it's not possible for everyone to afford that type of holiday," he said.

Taupo District Council reserves planning manager Carl Jones said a subcommittee recommendation for closure would go to the council next month.

"I expect it to be ratified and I hope it will be, but it's for the whole council to decide," he said.

Taupo has two other small camping grounds and a "Top 10" holiday park on Centennial Drive. Mr Hoare said the holiday park came "within a whisker" of being sold last year.