January 19 2021
• Farm & Recreational, Quads + Bikes • Quality ATV & Motorbike tyres • General Service to Full rebuild • Gst Registered
Kaipara’s Only Regional Newspaper | Kaipara owned and Operated
10,450 Copies DELIVERED FREE throughout the Kaipara
Phone Patrick Lumby: 027 201 8625
Holiday season boom time u by Andy Bryenton
Full camping grounds, bustling main streets and packed beaches have all been features of summer 2021, with large numbers of Kiwi holidaymakers visiting our part of the nation while international travel is restricted.
Call for direct democracy
The proposed introduction of Maori wards …
P3
Objects reunited after 60 years
p A packed Kai Iwi Lakes campground is a sign of summer success, with the boom ironing out some of the bumps caused by Covid to the local economy
Two carved busts depicting figures …
P5
2020 retrospective
We take a look at selected highlights throughout 2020 …
P7
With Covid-19 shutting down holiday plans further afield, Northland became the most favoured destination for Aucklanders polled ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s break. This statistic was borne out by unprecedented traffic congestion following Christmas Day, as thousands streamed north to soak up the sun. In the Kaipara that meant camping grounds filled to capacity, requiring extra staff in some instances to help marshall what became ‘towns under canvas’. Campervans and motorhomes also came to help boost visitor numbers and the local economy, which, according to a survey of entrepreneurs across the region, may have been up as much as 25 per cent more than a normal summer. That’s a significant boost for
GARDEN TRACTORS FROM $4,299* * Husqvarna TS 138
businesses hit by Covid lockdowns in the middle of 2020. One shop owner who remained open for business during the break was Helen Cairns of Dargaville’s Good Life Store. She opines that it was well worthwhile. “This trend toward travelling within New Zealand has made us appreciate and re-evaluate what New Zealand has to offer,” she says, describing a booming post-Christmas holiday season with many new arrivals. Other hospitality and dining operators are similarly impressed with their turnover during the holidays, with more than one joking that it was “the opposite of a holiday” due to brisk trade. “Tourists appreciated those of us who were open to welcome them,” said one barista. They also noted that Dargaville’s
recent announcement as one of New Zealand’s friendliest towns rests initially with hospitality and retail. Real estate, too, has seen a sharp uptick due to the showcase weather and tourist audience which came together for the holidays. Dargaville property professionals Greg Pollington and Jean Johnson remained open for business during the holidays, and say that a strong seller’s market has developed in tandem with the exposure. “In all my years in real estate I have never seen a market like this in Dargaville,” says Ms Johnson, who has been in the field for three decades locally. “We’re seeing multiple offers on listings, and people are definitely interested in moving to this area.” ¢
Your local authorised Husqvarna Servicing Dealer:
Farrand & Mason Ltd GENERAL & PRECISION ENGINEERS
Normanby Street, Dargaville
Ph: 09 439 7335