New Zealand
Geologists Without Experience Win Top NZ Holiday Park Award
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.
Story Sources:
🇳🇿 New Zealand — OpenVan.camp
125
·
51
/
3,5к per week
/
5,6к per month
Far North holiday parks win national awards for upgrades and leadership
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.
Student nurse lives in caravan during two-month placement
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.
TrailLite takes on European rivals with first NZ-made motorhome
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 Crowns 2026 Industry Champions
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.
Bay holiday park wins supreme industry award
Athenree Hot Springs and Holiday Park, located near Katikati north of Tauranga, won the Holiday Park Supreme Industry Award at the Holiday Parks New Zealand Awards in Hamilton. The park was also named Medium Park of the Year. Judges highlighted its manaakitanga (hospitality), community contribution, continuous improvement environmental programme, and status as the largest local employer.
Citra Kirana's Family Campervan Adventure in New Zealand
Indonesian actress Citra Kirana, her husband Rezky Aditya, and son Athar spent 10 days in New Zealand in a campervan, without a nanny, enjoying nature and local food.
Story Sources:
Consultation to begin on proposed freedom camping changes in Wānaka
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has announced the start of a consultation on proposed changes to freedom camping rules in Wānaka. The changes involve restrictions on overnight stays in motorhomes and campervans in certain areas.
New Zealand man killed as campervan 'bunny hops' and pins him against house
Kenneth Cotter, 78, died after his campervan lurched forward and crushed him against a wall. The coroner ruled it a tragic and unique accident.
Story Sources:
Disqualified driver crashes head-on into campervan after making obscene gesture
In New Zealand on 18 July 2026, a court sentenced Fairmont Leigh, a disqualified driver who made an obscene gesture at tourists in a campervan on Tākaka Hill road, then failed to see an oncoming campervan and crashed into it. Leigh got out of his car and yelled at the campervan driver, who had managed to stop before impact. He said he was speeding because he was late for a funeral.
Taiwanese host Zhang Ruifu drives campervan across New Zealand in 7 days for under NT$30,000
Taiwanese host and content creator Zhang Ruifu completed a seven-day solo trip across New Zealand in a rented large campervan. The trip cost less than NT$30,000. Driving right-hand drive for the first time, he hit a truck mirror and nearly collided with a parked car.
Story Sources:
Indonesian celebrities Citra Kirana and Rezky Aditya travel New Zealand in campervan with son
Indonesian celebrities Citra Kirana and Rezky Aditya completed a 10-day campervan trip through New Zealand with their three-year-old son Athar, without a nanny. The journey strengthened family bonds.
Story Sources:
Flood-hit couple living in campervan months after forever home was swamped
Tricia Hewlett and her partner, who bought a home in Little River, Canterbury last year, are living in Hewlett's mother's campervan after devastating flooding in February. Their house is being raised half a metre to prevent future floods, but repairs are months away. Hewlett lost her part-time job and savings, and insurers did not cover the cost of lifting the house.
Waikaremoana Holiday Park sale to Tūhoe called 'a new lease of life'
New Zealand's Department of Conservation has completed the sale of Waikaremoana Holiday Park to Te Uru Taumatua, representing Tūhoe. The park will continue operating as usual.
Family with children to travel New Zealand in caravan in search of farm ownership
Anastasia and Hayden Tristram, along with their two young daughters, plan to start a caravan journey across New Zealand in October to learn about different farming systems and find their own farm. The couple lost their leased sheep and beef farm in central Hawke's Bay when it was sold for pine plantations. They have bought a caravan and intend to work as farming contractors, gathering information on various agricultural sectors, including dairy and horticulture.
Campervan trip on New Zealand's Wanganui River Road: gravel, mud and abyss
Reporter Kathrin Steevens embarked on a campervan trip through New Zealand. On the Wanganui River Road she faced gravel, mud and steep drops, making the journey unforgettable.
Story Sources:
Permanent restrictions imposed on freedom camping in Wānaka
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has made permanent restrictions on freedom camping at two hotspots in Wānaka. Camping is now prohibited at the Allenby Pl carpark at the foot of Mt Iron due to health and safety issues, including a narrow access way with limited visibility for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The council also proposed banning camping at Beacon Point Rd during December and January. Three additional designated spaces were added at Wānaka Recreation Centre.
Site Check: Tasman Miranda Holiday Park
Tasman Miranda Holiday Park near Auckland offers guests access to thermal pools, which are not closed for renovations as rumored. Visitors can stay in motorhomes or caravans and enjoy the hot springs on site.
New motorhome park proposed on New Brighton red zone land
The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) has applied to Christchurch City Council for a 10-year transitional lease of 5,000–10,000 sq m at 60–80 Owles Terrace, New Brighton, to accommodate up to 100 motorhomes and caravans. The site is on vacant red zoned land, previously affected by earthquakes. Basic amenities would include rubbish bins and potable water, with a possible wastewater dump station. The park would be restricted to NZMCA members in certified self-contained motorhomes and caravans, with a maximum stay of 10 days per 30-day period. Opening is optimistically targeted for summer 2026–2027, but more realistically late 2027 if resource consent is required.
Fortress Explorer Camper Trailer Opens Into Two-Story Base Camp
New Zealand's Fortress Trailers has launched the Explorer camping trailer, which expands into a two-story base camp. The trailer measures 13.5 feet long and 6.9 feet tall, weighs 2,500 lbs with a 990-lb payload. It features a slide-out kitchen, a rooftop tent with a queen-size mattress, and a staircase integrated into the tongue. Priced at NZ$42,990 (approx. $25,000), it is currently available only in New Zealand.
