A new short-term campervan park at Ellerslie Racecourse has been given the green light, opening up additional accommodation in time for the World Masters Games 2017 (WMG2017) and the DHL New Zealand Lions series.
With Auckland hosting a plethora of sporting and cultural events throughout 2017, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) has been working to ensure the region is ready to cope with the influx of visitors.
The pop-up park
The Auckland Racing Club will run a pop-up campervan park in the Ellerslie Racecourse infield, with 350 non-powered sites for self-contained campervans. The sites are available 18 April - 3 May, and then again during the New Zealand Lions series.
A range of facilities will be available to campers including toilets and showers. The Pop-up Globe will be running shows at the Racecourse throughout WMG2017, and there will be race days on until June.
Auckland Racing Club and Ellerslie Event Centre Chief Executive Cameron George says the Auckland Racing Club continues to enjoy contributing to the footprint of major Auckland initiatives.
"We are committed to working with external partners to promote Auckland and to provide local residents and visitors the best experience possible.
High demand for Auckland accommodation
ATEED General Manager Visitor and External Relations Steve Armitage says Auckland is experienced in supporting the demands of hosting major international events but there can be challenges for some visitors around accessing affordable accommodation.
"We know there are a number of visitors interested in using campervans during events like World Masters Games and the New Zealand Lions Series, so it's great to have the Auckland Racing Club stepping in to open up the site at Ellerslie.”
WMG2017 Chief Executive Jennah Wootten says the campervan park at Ellerslie is a welcome addition to Auckland's accommodation landscape ahead of the Games.
"We're expecting more than 18,000 participants from outside Auckland, a good number of whom are still trying to secure reasonably priced accommodation, so this broadens the range of options available to them."
