Weekender, December 28, 2019
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2019 Sharing paradise Mahia’s population — about 1160 people for most of the year — swells with summer holidaymakers. Picture supplied housands descend on Mahia’s white-sand beaches for summer, putting a strain on infrastructure and riling residents used to a quieter life. he Gisborne Herald’s Aaron van Delden reports. ne by one they roll up. but by dinner time the place is packed. to share.” Mahia’s sole-charge police oicer, Senior Retirees in well-appointed A local woman eating ish and chips on But Bill Shortt, a former Wairoa district Constable Craig Henneker, is planning on Omotorhomes, oblivious to the the beach looks back and wonders aloud: councillor who moved to Mahia 17 years 17,000 people being in the area on New traic snarled up behind them. “What’s the point?” ago, isn’t sold on freedom campers. Year’s Eve, with the Mahia festivities a rite Young travellers in converted Toyota hey’ve travelled miles to get to paradise “I call them modern-day gypsies,” says Mr of passage for under-18-year-olds, who Estimas with the all-important blue sticker but are parked less than a metre from their Shortt. aren’t old enough to get into Gisborne’s — “self-contained” — a passport to some of freedom camping neighbours. “hey get a damn cheap holiday on the Rhythm and Vines music festival. the inest campsites in New Zealand. Joe Hedley, a Mahia resident for 22 years ratepayer.” Mr Henneker will be backed up by more From early afternoon they start to and volunteer for the local ire brigade and Of course, it’s not just vehicle-dwelling than 30 police oicers from Hawke’s Bay and congregate near the public toilets at St John ambulance service, says locals live a tourists who are responsible for the summer Wairoa for the night, with police numbers Opoutama/Blue Bay, just of the main road quiet life for 11 months of the year — and visitor inlux in Mahia. he area’s population rolled back by January 6 when the “party to Mahia Beach. then the silly season hits. — about 1160 people for most of the year animals” head back to work. he early-birds snare the beachfront sites, Mr Hedley is philosophical about sharing — swells with bach-owners and renters, with views down the western side of the the peninsula with holidaymakers. campers at the holiday park, friends and peninsula. Initially they’re well spread out, “It’s a great spot that we, as residents, have family, day trippers, and boaties. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 23733-08 2 THE GISBORNE HERALD LEAD Huge infl ux of people puts pressure on local infrastructure FROM PAGE 1 pick up from Labour Day weekend and peter out after Easter. To help keep the revellers under control, a Mr Cutler notices a big diff erence in the 24-hour liquor ban for the entire peninsula is attention paid by Wairoa District Council to in place from December 20 till January 20. public amenities in Mahia during the peak Wairoa District Council chief executive season. Steven May says the huge infl ux of people But he believes the council can’t justify puts pressure on local infrastructure. providing the same level of service all-year e council will bolster its provision of round, when it’s mostly catering for a much waste management services in Mahia over smaller population. summer, says Mr May. More than half of the area’s 1062 houses Bins will be emptied more frequently, the were unoccupied during the census in March recycling drop-off centre on Kaiwaitau Road 2018. will open every day (except public holidays) Mr May says securing government funding from December 23 till January 4, and to support the council’s work in Mahia over rubbish bags will be collected twice a week summer lessens its impact on ratepayers. from December 23 till January 17. Along with the $200,000 responsible e council received a $200,000 camping grant, the council this year received responsible camping grant from the $229,500 from the Government’s tourism Government earlier this year, allowing it to infrastructure fund to improve recycling have freedom camping wardens in Mahia services in Mahia and to put in a dump this summer. station at Opoutama/Blue Bay. Freedom campers at Opoutama/Blue Bay. Pictures by Aaron van Delden Tangata whenua groups Rongomaiwahine e Kaiwaitau Road recycling site is Iwi Trust and Mahia Maori Committee are normally open for only two hours on the fi rst contracted until April to run the scheme, and third Sunday of each month. e plan is with wardens monitoring campsites, refuse to provide a drop-off centre with extended and public toilets, and freedom campers opening hours and a place to dispose of liable for fi nes of up to $200 if in breach of garden waste. e council has set aside the council’s freedom camping bylaw. $150,000 of its own money to help fund the Mr May hopes to have wardens in Mahia improvements. next summer too, but that will depend on Mr Hedley says Mahia is crying out for a the council securing more funding. green waste disposal option other than the Mahia Maori Committee chairman Paul 100km round trip to Wairoa’s landfi ll and Ratapu says wardens have been on duty since recycling centre. early December, covering the peninsula and Illegal rubbish dumping has been a Wairoa between 8am and 8pm seven days a problem on the peninsula. It’s often blamed week. on freedom campers, but Mr Hedley suspects Before the scheme was established, the locals are usually to blame. He has noticed Bill Shortt committee had for several months discussed much of the fl y-tipped waste contains with the council ongoing issues with freedom household items including furniture. camping in Mahia, including campers People in Opoutama and Mahia Beach say leaving behind human waste and parking in the offi cial rubbish bags for collection are restricted areas, says Mr Ratapu. small and expensive at $5 each. Rongomaiwahine kaumatua Pauline Improved infrastructure in Mahia will Tangiora, who moved home to Mahia 33 become increasingly important. years ago, thinks freedom camping in the According to a council-commissioned area is “out of hand”. report, the area is expected to continue Pauline Tangiora Picture by Liam Clayton Sites set aside for freedom campers get so leading household growth in the Wairoa Clifton, who retired to Mahia two-and-a-half inundated with visitors that locals’ access to district for the next few decades. It’s years ago and is leading eff orts to set up the the beach and kaimoana is restricted, and the setting for several new housing association. that’s left people in tears, says Ms Tangiora. developments and home to a Rocket Lab “I have observed over the last couple of She questions the travellers’ value to launch site, where a second launch pad will years some disquiet about Wairoa District the local economy, suspecting most fi ll up be built by the end of next year. Council, mainly that Mahia ratepayers’ on supplies at supermarkets in Wairoa or Mr Shortt says Rocket Lab’s presence on interests aren’t well represented at the David Clifton Gisborne. the peninsula has provided great publicity. council,” says Mr Clifton. e council updated its freedom camping “ e place is on a roar at the moment, and I “ ere’s a general feeling the council thinks endeavours to do its best, says Mr Little. bylaw earlier this year, extending restrictions don’t know when it will stop,” he says. Mahia ratepayers have plenty of dough so Mr Shortt, who claims to always be at war on where people can park up for a free night’s No doubt Mahia’s growing pains will can foot the bill,” he says. with the council, is backing the association. kip in Mahia. Further restrictions will be be kept on the council’s agenda by a local But Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says Mahia He believes the peninsula’s ratepayers considered by the council early next year. ratepayers’ association to be established early gets as much council attention as any of the are short-changed, with no town supply, At Mahia Beach Store, owner Bevan Cutler next year. district’s communities. “a Clayton’s wastewater scheme”, minimal is gearing up for 13-hour days during the e group will initially be focused on It is a diffi cult job trying to balance the roading and a 100km round trip to the silly season. 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