Kaiapoi Town and Kaiapoi NZMCA, Canterbury, New Zealand

[@allantaylor3288]

That’s a very timely video as I’m staying here at present. I’ve lived in Woodend and Pegasus but never had a lot to do with Kaiapoi. I’m loving my stay here as there’s so much to do and see, easy walk into the shopping area, cafes etc and great bike trails. The camp was very busy over the weekend but has cleared out a lot this morning. I’ll stay here the allowed 10 days😊👍

[@caravanlifenz]

Isn't it a sweet town? Did you check out the little museum I mentioned in the library? The library employees and swimming pool employees are all friendly. There are a few bogans about, but they're what I call harmless bogans, not the nuisance ones that bother people on holiday.

[@allantaylor3288]

@ yes it is and no I haven’t checked out the museum yet but I will. Can anyone use the showers at the pool?

[@caravanlifenz]

The Kaiapoi pools offer a "shower only" price of $3.70 to use toilets and showers without the pool, but I paid the $7.40 per adult entry fee I mentioned, and did some laps and then showered and washed my hair. They've got a discount for seniors, which is $5.60 instead of the full adult price. You can buy a 10-trip pass too if you visit Kaiapoi regularly.

[@allantaylor3288]

@ thanks so much. Your videos are very informative 🙏

[@tiomiguel999]

There's a massive dog park right next to the NZMCA park, which also borders Norman Kirk Park which has reasonably decent public toilets. The area is well maintained by WDC and their subcontractors, all seemingly helpful and informative. I think a few locals are resentful of their public facilities being used by campers though, and there is a problem with youth offending, but mostly a nice wee town.

[@caravanlifenz]

It's a great location for the NZMCA grounds because it's surrounded by parks. The local businesses seem pleased that the caravans are there, as it's more money for the supermarket and the cafes, which creates extra jobs. I did see a few rough welfare types, but they are only mildly rough compared to Auckland's rough people. I did wonder how the local holiday parks feel about the new NZMCA park though, as they will lose a lot of business, especially since the NZMCA park was packed every day, which means people are choosing it over holiday parks.

[@tiomiguel999]

@@caravanlifenz I agree with your comments, but know a few locals don't appreciate the influx and the perceived drain on "their" resources - though that isn't entirely uncommon in small communities, is it? I can't see how local holiday parks would be supportive at all and many must be resentful of NZMCA parks, (or other competition) in general?

[@caravanlifenz]

That's the trouble with tourism; there are winners and losers. The cafes, restaurants and supermarkets are the winners, but holiday parks and locals are the losers. I see the same on a national scale with tourism in general. Bars, restaurants and tourism adventure companies make money, but New Zealanders in general lose because our rent increases (in areas popular with tourists) and we get stuck paying for services such as the police/highway patrol, and road maintenance, plus the ACC claims when tourists hurt themselves.

[@tiomiguel999]

@@caravanlifenz Insightful comments - striking a balance is incredibly difficult, even harder when the economy is in poor shape. Thanks for the videos, they're well presented and very informative.