National award high praise for tourism service

 

BY ROB POOLEY

Breathtaking views of a stunning lagoon-style harbour and dunes is where you will find the Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park offering a peaceful, relaxing holiday on a pristine white sandy beach. It is the perfect place for you to take your time, relax and enjoy this very special holiday destination.

That’s the Holiday Park, but this is about the people, Richard and Noela Gunson who, apart from being local custodians for the past seven years, recently gained much wider recognition winning the Outstanding Service to the Holiday Park Industry Award at the Holiday Accommodation Parks of New Zealand (HAPNZ) annual conference. 

The trophies bear some influential names connected to the HAPNZ movement and are of special significance considering the tourism sector is second only to the dairy industry in terms of dollar value to New Zealand. 

Fergus Brown, HAPNZ chief executive was high in his praise of the couple.

“Richard and Noela Gunson have made an outstanding contribution to the holiday park sector. Richard has served as a board member for over ten years, five years as HAPNZ president. 

“The couple travel the country regularly visiting parks and attending HAPNZ events. They attend all meetings, are very generous with their time and knowledge and always willing to share their experiences with other and new people in the industry.”

They are also constantly looking to improve and upgrade facilities and improve services to meet the constant changing demands of campers, travellers and families.

Richard has a long association with several factions connected to the promotion of Northland plus a number of national tourism-related bodies. 
The couple have also travelled to promote New Zealand at overseas events and are regular attendees at the big annual Queensland Caravan and Camping Supershow at Brisbane. 

Their promotional  efforts have also been recognised by a Vic Park award from our Victoria, Australia counterpart.

“The tourism industry is growing,” says Richard. “There are changes in Council regulations and in the facilities that campers demand so there is quite a bit to learn and keep up with and we are just happy to share our knowledge and experience with other camp owners both here and overseas, and to be recognised in this way is quite a buzz.” 

Richard and Noela Gunson have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the holiday park sector.