Barbara Faulls & David Ovendale. Image: Supplied

Holiday Parks Annual awards celebrate innovation and industry dedication to quality experiences

The awards provide the opportunity to celebrate efforts from across the industry

AccomNews Friday, July 25, 2025

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Holiday Parks New Zealand (HPNZ) is delighted to announce the winners of the Holiday Park Awards recognising excellence across the country. 

“Holiday parks are a quintessential part of making memories that last a lifetime, for Kiwis and visitors alike,” says Emily Byrne, Holiday Parks New Zealand Chief Executive. 

“The awards are an opportunity to recognise the dedication of the individuals that keep our holiday parks not only humming, but continuously evolving and innovating, resulting in a positive impact to our local communities and carving out quality holiday experiences. A huge congratulations to all our finalists and winners!” 

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With a range of revitalised categories, the awards provided the opportunity to celebrate efforts across the industry from long-standing industry figures through to newer faces, as well as acknowledging commitment to sustainable tourism, engagement and development.  

McHayla Brinkley, from Riverside Whakatane Holiday Park, was the recipient of the Emerging Star Award, recognising a holiday park professional that has worked in the industry for less than 10 years. A finalist for two years in a row, it was her ‘exceptional leadership, operational excellence, strong community focus and significant ongoing progressional development’ that was key to success this year.  

The Industry Champion (Tonnie Spijkerbosch Memorial) Award went to Robert (Bob) Perriam, for his attitude, innovation and commitment to the wider industry over the last 22 years.  

Barbara Faulls, co-owner of Smiths Farm Holiday Park, Marlborough District Councillor and previous Holiday Parks Board member, was awarded the 2025 Holiday Park Industry Outstanding Achievement Service Award, acknowledging her contribution to the holiday park sector, including her dedication to sustainable tourism, community leadership and regional development that has left a lasting impact on the Marlborough Sounds and beyond.  

The Sustainable Commitment Award was won by Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park, for their Kiwi Encounter nighttime tours, with their award entry showcasing a combination of conservation, education and community engagement activities that align with the Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s Tourism Sustainability Commitment.  

And it was the heartwarming array of community focused initiatives, including hosting environmental summer programmes and an innovative off-season ‘Park Passes’ to provide affordable, safe recreational spaces for local families, that saw Coromandel Shelly Beach TOP 10 receive the Community Engagement Award.  

Investment to infrastructure and park development was acknowledged across small, medium and large park categories, in the Park Improvement Award, Park Development Award and Park of the Year Awards.  

This year saw a number of new awards introduced alongside key changes to the awards criteria.  

“The judging panels faced a challenging task this year, with a significant number of entrants across the new categories. In their own words, they remarked ‘We were blown away by the submissions we received and are thrilled to have been able to recognise the outstanding efforts across the industry in this year’s awards’.” 

The awards were announced at the HPNZ Awards dinner in Whakatū Nelson last night, wrapping up the HPNZ Conference and & Expo which included a celebration of 70 years of Holiday Parks in New Zealand. 

Emerging Star Award sponsored by Tasman Holiday Parks 

McHayla (Mickey) Brinkley, Riverside Whakatane Holiday Park 

Industry Champion (Tonnie Spijkerbosch Memorial) Award  

Robert (Bob) Perriam, Golden Bay Holiday Park 

Community Engagement Award sponsored by Big Save Commercial 

Coromandel Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park 

Sustainable Commitment Award sponsored by Tourism Industry Aotearoa 

Russell–Orongo Bay Holiday Park 

Park Improvement Award  