New Zealand
The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Motorhome, Caravan and Leisure Show will be held on September 18–20 at Mystery Creek. About a quarter of the 50 volunteers helping run the campground come from Cambridge and Te Awamutu. Roy and Michele Connell have owned the event since 2010; the park and stay campground is the club’s largest annual fundraiser and accommodates up to 1,700 motorhomes and caravans.
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A car and caravan caught fire this morning on McLaren Falls Rd near the State Highway 29 intersection. Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called at 6:34 am, and a Greerton fire crew responded. The car was well involved when crews arrived. The blaze was extinguished, and police were notified at 6:45 am. No one was inside the vehicle at the time.
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Ōnaero Bay Holiday Park in New Plymouth has reopened under new management for the whitebait season (1 September – 30 October). Operator Penny signed a five-year lease with NPDC. The campground offers powered and tent sites, a short walk from the beach. Bookings are online.
Upcoming events
New Zealand
18
Sep
Exhibition
in 8 d.
NZ Motorhome Caravan & Leisure Show Hamilton 2026
Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton
28
Nov
Exhibition
in 79 d.
CampSaver New Zealand Hamilton 2026
Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton, Hamilton
15
May
Exhibition
in 247 d.
NZMCA Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show Christchurch 2027
Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Three people were injured when a campervan overturned on State Highway 6 near Roaring Meg this morning. Police were called at about 7:20 am. St John responded with two ambulances, two operations managers, and two helicopters. The injured were taken to Dunedin Hospital with one serious, one moderate, and one minor injury. Police are investigating the incident.
A camper and a car collided on Waipawa Bridge in Hawke's Bay. Police report injuries. The road is expected to be closed for some time.
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Latest news
New Zealand
Car and caravan catch fire near McLaren Falls Rd
2d ago
Three injured after campervan overturns on Gibbston Highway
1w ago
Crash involving camper on Waipawa Bridge leaves injured
1w ago
Australian tourists hit with $7500 bill after campervan hits slip despite insurance cover
1w ago
Strong winds blow over caravan in Clutha as westerly front hits the South
1w ago
An Australian couple say they have been left stranded and facing a $7500 bill after their rental motorhome became stuck in a mud slip near Wānaka – despite having taken out what they understood to be the company’s most comprehensive zero-excess cover. A significant winter storm battered the area.
Strong westerly winds are affecting the South Island, blowing over a caravan in Clutha. MetService has issued strong wind watches for Southland, Clutha and Dunedin, and road snowfall warnings for inland areas. The caravan incident occurred on State Highway 1 north of Balclutha; no injuries were reported.
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Maiken Desiree from Norway and Englishman Will Turner planned to start a new life in Ireland, but their plans were derailed by mold in their house and a problematic boss. Instead, they traveled to New Zealand, where they are now touring in a motorhome.
British couple Ed and Jess have given up saving for a house to drive a campervan the full length of the Pan-American Highway, from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. The roughly 30,000 km route crosses more than a dozen countries and is expected to take a year. The pair cite weather, border crossings and wildlife as key challenges.
Gisborne District Council will consider a new campervan waste dump station through the Long Term Plan. Cost estimated up to $155,000, but no commitment yet.
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The Far North District Council will ban freedom camping starting next month. Several councils have complained about visitors parking on roadside verges and at beauty spots and using them as toilets. According to the Far North, banning campervans from those places may also help keep tourists safe. Tourists who flout the ban will be issued instant fines. Meanwhile, police in Kaitaia are still looking for two men who last month beat and robbed three French tourists who were parked overnight in a layby near Mangamuka.
An independent inquiry found that the deaths of six people in a campground landslide could have been prevented, citing systemic risk management failures.
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Ohakune Top 10 Holiday Park has been named New Zealand's 2026 Small Park of the Year. The award was presented at the Holiday Parks New Zealand (HPNZ) annual conference in Hamilton in late July. Fuschia Aiomanu, a 22-year-old receptionist at the park, also received an Emerging Leader Scholarship.
A man suffered serious burns when the campervan he was sleeping in caught fire at a property in Kaiti, a suburb of Gisborne, early on Wednesday morning. Emergency services received multiple 111 calls just after 1am. Firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to a nearby house. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
Christchurch City Council approved a 10-year land lease in New Brighton for a motorhome park with 100 spaces. The project, backed by the Avon River committee, now awaits building consent.
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Athenree Hot Springs and Holiday Park was named New Zealand's best holiday park for 2026. The owners, geologists, bought it in 2020 without tourism experience.
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Two Far North holiday parks have earned national recognition, with Bay of Islands Holiday Park winning the Park Improvement Award – Medium Park, and an Ahipara manager named one of New Zealand's rising stars in holiday tourism. The awards were presented at the Holiday Parks New Zealand Awards 2026.
Nursing graduate Ella Hofman from Foxton had to live in a caravan for nine weeks because her final clinical placement was in Whanganui, a two-hour drive away. She fell ill due to the cold and was still unwell while sitting her state nursing exam. Hofman is one of 964 nurses graduating this month competing for 428 new graduate roles at Te Whatu Ora. NZNO student co-leader Poihaere Whare said clinical placements are a huge logistical and financial challenge, forcing students to stay in camper vans or sleep in cars.
New Zealand motorhome retailer and manufacturer TrailLite has launched its first fully New Zealand-built motorhome, directly challenging the European brands that dominate the market. Founded 72 years ago, TrailLite also offers motorhomes and campervans from brands such as Benimar, Mobilvetta and McLouis. The company's revenue has nearly doubled over the past decade following a post-Covid boom.
Holiday Parks New Zealand announced the winners of its 2026 awards at a ceremony in Hamilton on July 30. Awards were presented in categories including Park of the Year, Sustainability, and Community Engagement. Athenree Hot Springs and Holiday Park won Medium Park of the Year and the Supreme Industry Award. A new Trade Member of the Year award was introduced, with LinkWorks as the inaugural winner.