New owners to meet motor camp users

Glendhu Bay motor camp, near Wānaka. Photo: Craig Baxter
Glendhu Bay motor camp, near Wānaka. Photo: Craig Baxter
Campers at the Glendhu Bay motor camp will have the chance to parlay with their new Australian owners when a public meeting takes place at the grounds next month.

The camp was one of five sites in Queenstown and Wānaka acquired by New South Wales-based Hampshire Property Group last year.

In a public notice made available on the Hampshire Holiday Parks’ New Zealand website, the company confirmed a public meeting had been organised for Friday, May 17 "in accordance with OIO (Overseas Investment Office) requirements".

The notice, signed by Hampshire New Zealand Ltd chief executive Frank Sharkey, said that while there had been "no substantive changes" to operations since the acquisition, the meeting would serve as an opportunity to introduce Mr Sharkey and "other key staff" to interested persons.

"An update on operations and proposed minor improvements to the camp will be provided at such time."

The Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wānaka, Glendhu Bay and Albert Town camps were previously operated by CCR Ltd, a company owned by Queenstown couple Erna and the late Tonnie Spijkerbosch, and Rudi and Aggie Sanders, of Wānaka.

All five camps were covered by a single $3.2 million lease agreement CCR Ltd reached in 2014 with the landowner, the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Hampshire is a privately owned Australian family business that is also expanding its portfolio of caravan parks and residential land lease parks across Australia.

Last year, Mr Sharkey said it would be "business as usual" for the camp sites, with "a small number of improvements".

The meeting will be held in the Glendhu Bay Lakeside Holiday Park’s guest lounge at 10am.

regan.harris@odt.co.nz