Holiday Parks recognised at New Zealand awards ceremony

The 2024 Holiday Parks New Zealand Awards held last night recognised the impressive array of offerings through investments being made within the growing and thriving sector.

The awards dinner followed the annual Holiday Parks Conference & Trade Exhibition, this year held at Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Fergus Brown, Chief Executive of Holiday Parks New Zealand noted “The quality and content of this year’s entries show that the holiday park sector is continuing to grow strongly following the challenges of recent years.

“This is evident in the substantial investment that many parks are making to develop more quality-built accommodation and facilities that will delight guests and encourage more visitation over our non-peak months. Addressing this seasonality is a key strategic challenge for the sector.”

Caitlin Henderson from Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park was the recipient of the coveted Holiday Parks Emerging Star Award, which recognises a holiday park professional under the age of 35 years of age.

Judges advised “This year again the Holiday Parks industry can feel proud that there are many talented people who are standing out and in fact leading the way in their respective employments. Caitlin has shown outstanding drive and leadership, rising through the various roles within her employer's environment and she has now been rewarded with a senior position within the company. We feel that her willingness to further her qualifications and skills will continue to enhance the business she obviously thrives in.”

The TIA Sustainable Innovation Award was won by Raglan Holiday Park for their community garden “Papahua Maara kai” with judges noting “This innovation has so many benefits in terms of education, visitor satisfaction, lowering waste and carbon footprint, and community impact. It is a shining example of a tourism business that has truly embedded sustainability, to the benefit of the business, visitors, the community and the environment.”

Barrie and Sue Price were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to the Holiday Park Sector Award. The judges commented “Barrie and Sue have been long time supporters of the holiday park industry and have been generous in providing help and guidance to others. They are a couple who don’t seek the limelight, they just get on and do it.”

The Spirit of Hospitality Award, the sector’s top holiday park award, went to Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park. Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park were winners previously in 2022. The award is determined though the analysis of online reviews and is a testimony to the manaakitanga and hospitality provided by the team at Athenree.

More information on Holiday Parks New Zealand  

A full list of award winners is below.

Holiday Parks Emerging Star Award sponsored by Tasman Holiday Parks
Winner: Caitlin Henderson from Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park

PGG Wrightson Park Grounds Award
Winner: Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach

Tourism Industry Aotearoa Sustainable Innovation Award
Winner: Raglan Holiday Park Papahua

Urban Lounge Interiors upgrade of an existing building under $100,000
Winner: Bowentown Beach Holiday Park

Urban Lounge Interiors Design Award over $100,000
Winner: Hampshire Holiday Parks - Queenstown Lake View

Resco Best Upgrade under $100,000
Winner: Omarama TOP 10 Holiday Park
Highly Commended: Motueka TOP 10 Holiday Park & Pacific Park Christian Holiday Camp

Resco Best New Build over $100,000
Winner: Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach
Highly Commended: Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park & Golden Bay Holiday Park

ReviewPro Most Improved Park Award
Winner: Winner: Hampshire Holiday Parks – Arrowtown
Highly commended: Lake Brunner Holiday Park

ReviewPro Spirit of Hospitality Award
Winner: Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park

Outstanding Contribution to the Holiday Park Industry sponsored by TOP 10 Holiday Parks Group
Winners: Sue and Barrie Price

KEY FACTS

• The holiday park sector provides 25% of New Zealand’s commercial guest nights, as measured by the Accommodation Data Programme (ADP).

• In the year ended May 2024, holiday parks hosted 9.7 million guest nights with 7.4 million being domestic guests and 2.3 million international visitors.

• Prior to COVID guest nights in holiday parks were 35% international visitors and 65% domestic visitors.

• While staying at holiday parks guests contribute over $1 billion in direct expenditure to local communities.

• Approximately $612 million (60%) of the expenditure is from domestic travellers with the balance of $405 million (40%) spent by international travellers.

• Expenditure by international visitors contributes directly to New Zealand’s export earnings.

Images. Credit: Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park