Upwards of 500 glbt people and their friends are expected to see out the old year and welcome the new tonight at a camping ground just south of Whangarei. Long State Highway 1 traffic queues inching northwards and extending at some points for over five kilometers were not deferring a steady trickle of new arrivals at Uretiti Beach yesterday and more short-term campers are expected to swell the numbers this evening and over the weekend. Most of the approximately 120 campers in place yesterday arrived over Christmas Day and Boxing Day but a few earlybirds arrived a week earlier. Some intend to stay for another two weeks before heading back to their homes as far afield as Taupo, Hamilton, Kaitaia and, predominantly, greater Auckland. Regular campers say the weather has been superbly hot and sunny with none of the changeability and rain which has afflicted other parts of the country in recent days. Mostly inhabiting tents, but with a number of caravans, campervans and housebusses amongst the sea of canvas, the campers seem to have spent most of their time chatting, sunning on the kilometers-long white sand beach, investigating the sand dunes, socialising during the cocktail hour in the cool of the early evening and watching communal movies. Tonight will see a sound system cranked up for a New Year's Eve party which is always attended by straight campers who only just make up the majority of the population of the camp. Though not exhibiting some of the camp decor extravagances which have enlivened similar gatherings at Vinegar Hill, north of Wellington, over the years, there is still plenty of colour at Uretiti with potted plastic plants, fairy lights in abundance and makeshift ablutions to complement the council-provided facilities. Nearby Waipu is the shopping town of choice and local retailers service the camping ground every day or two with supplies including fresh ice.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 31st December 2005 - 12:00pm