Northland a popular holiday spot

Occupancy rates for Northland holiday parks soared in December.

Destination Northland figures show caravan parks had 93,000 "guest nights" - which counts each person staying one night - up from 87,400 the previous December.

Whangarei Top 10 Holiday Park owner Kevin Lloyd said last month's takings were 30 per cent higher than those of January last year.

He put the increased turnover down to good weather and more overseas tourists who booked holidays up to a year in advance.