Takapuna Beach Holiday Park has a new operator following the selection of a preferred operator by Panuku Development Auckland and approval of that selection yesterday by Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
As part of new lease arrangements, the holiday park will receive significant investment from its new operators to modernise facilities to improve user experience.
The new operators Steve and Jeanette Edwards have a long family history of running holiday parks, dating back to the early 1970s when Jeanette’s parents ran a holiday park in Northland.
Steve and Jeanette also own and run TOP 10 Holiday Parks in Queenstown, Nelson, Fox Glacier and Motueka.
The new design for the holiday park includes a central communal area with kitchen and dining facilities, as well as three satellite bathrooms.
Energy efficiency and recycling technology will be incorporated wherever possible. The design will also include reflections on ancient Māori history and the unique geology of the area.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair George Wood says the board was impressed with the Edwards' investment plans and experience in running Kiwi holiday parks.
“We were all impressed with how their proposed design re-imagined the campground in a way that will ensure it is a valued asset and an attraction for visitors for another 30 years.
“Their investment and management expertise will enable another generation of Kiwis to enjoy the beachside holiday experience on the reserve,” says Wood.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Deputy Chair Grant Gillon says the much loved holiday park is unique in its location and offering.
“It’s certainly unique to have a holiday park, and an affordable one at that, in such a stunning prime coastal setting so close to a major city,” says Gillon.
“We’re extremely pleased with the outcome – in both retaining and improving the holiday park – and look forward to seeing it reopen and continue to offer affordable family holidays in the heart of Takapuna.”
Jeanette Edwards says they’re excited to be the new operators.
“We’re delighted to have this opportunity to take on kaitiaki (guardianship) of this precious site. We’ve admired this holiday park location from a distance for many years.
"It offers a beautiful and unique setting for holidaymakers and we look forward to creating lifelong memories for customers for many years to come,” she says.
“Our upgrade will modernise and improve but not alter its long-standing tradition as an affordable family holiday destination.”
It is expected that the upgrades will be completed in early 2022 and that the site will remain open for business during most of the staged upgrade, but will close briefly during major construction next winter.
