A public meeting in May will give Glendhu Bay campers and locals the chance to speak with the new leaseholders, including the CEO and “other key staff”.

The lease for the motor camp was acquired by Australian company Hampshire Holiday Parks Ltd last year after receiving Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approval.

Chatter over concerns that the new leaseholders would alter the ‘Kiwi camping experience’ families have enjoyed for many decades began before OIO approval and has continued since.

One of those concerned campers is Doug Fraser, who told the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) in March he had camped at the iconic motor park for decades.

“There’s changes afoot and changes already happening that have moved away from the kiwi camping experience,” Doug said.

Doug asked the board and councillors to “play a role” if there is “any change in the way the campground is administered”.

In a statement announcing the public meeting, Hampshire New Zealand CEO Frank Sharkey said there had been “...no substantive changes to operations since the change of leaseholder owner”.

The meeting will introduce key staff to attendees and provide “an update on operations and proposed minor improvements to the camp”, he said.

Some of those improvements were signalled in the OIO decision, which said the new owners plan on upgrading the holiday parks by constructing cabins, refurbishing the rooms and introducing environmental projects like rain water tanks and electric vehicle charging stations.

The Scaife family gifted the Glendhu Bay campground land in 1920 on the proviso it was to remain in perpetuity as “an affordable camp for everyday Kiwis”.

The Wānaka App obtained a copy of the lease for the camping grounds, which says Queenstown Lakes District Council (the landowner) has outsourced the camping grounds’ operations in a manner that “provides a traditional and simple ‘kiwi camping experience…that is financially feasible for all users”.

The OIO decision also said it “conditioned the applicant not to substantially alter the operations of Glendhu Bay Motor Camp”.

Read more: Assurances given that classic Kiwi camping experience will be preserved

Hampshire Holiday Parks Ltd also acquired the lease for the Wānaka Lakeview Holiday Park, Albert Town Camp Ground, Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park, and Arrowtown Holiday Park following the OIO process.

The Glendhu Bay Motor Camp has since been renamed ‘Hampshire Holiday Parks - Glendhu Bay’.

The public meeting will take place on Friday May 17 at 10am in the holiday park’s guest lounge area.

Hampshire Holiday Parks Ltd (which has a portfolio of holiday parks across Australia) was approached for comment.

PHOTO: Supplied