 We can now do something about it! The Rotaract programme spread rapidly throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. In 1970, just two years after the programme started, there were 50 clubs and by 1982, approximately 80 clubs. Unfortunately, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rotaract entered a phase of decline in New Zealand with most clubs terminating. That is until 1998 when the Rotaract Club of Somerville in Auckland was chartered with many of its members coming from another Rotary youth programme, RYLA. This club serviced the whole of the Auckland region until early 2003 when the Rotaract clubs of Pakuranga and The University of Auckland were chartered. Pakuranga Rotaract is predominately made up of past Interactors (school based 14-18 year old Rotarians). In addition, the Pacific Island Rotaract Clubs of Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Apia and Rarotonga were rediscovered. Many of these clubs were chartered in the early 1970s. The Rotaract Club of The Fiji Institute of Technology was chartered in 2003. The “Rotaract Revival” has continued with the charter in mid-2004 of the Rotaract Clubs of Frankton (Hamilton) and Christchurch Central. Rotaract Clubs planned in the immediate future include clubs in Helensville, Tauranga, and Lower Hutt. Anyone interested in starting a new Rotaract club in their area should contact their local District Rotaract Representative or Rotary Club. Today, there are some 165,000 members in more than 7,500 Rotaract Clubs in 161 countries. Most clubs are either community or university based. Murray then went on to tell us about his business ( which he has been involved in for 43 years, so he knows what he is talking about) “Hawkes Bay Caravan sales Limited” and about the progression of 5th wheel caravans to Motor Homes with a swing back to 5th wheel caravans. Most of us have at least one memory of being washed out during a camping trip. For some, that experience is enough to make them want to own a mobile home. Caravans and motorhomes offer heaps of benefits, the most obvious is the added protection from the elements when the weather turns bad. Before you decide upon the best option, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of each. If you’re serious about exploring New Zealand and you have enough time and money to make it worthwhile, a motorhome is the clear choice. Motorhomes are a great alternative to caravans for those who are less confident at towing. Buying brand new is ideal for those who have the money as it’ll give you the latest safety features, such as anti-skid control. Remember, it’s likely that you’ll be driving on the main highways in your campervan, so you’re going to be exposed to crosswinds. For those seeking a more reasonably priced option, second-hand shopping is an alternative route. Used motorhomes tend to be ex rentals, so many have a higher mileage and there will of course be signs of wear and tear on the inside of the vehicle. You can also look at privately sold motorhomes which generally have a lower mileage and reduced wear, but these can be a lot tougher to come by. If you do buy a motorhome from a private seller, it’s important to note that you’ll have less consumer protection. Caravans are generally less expensive than motorhomes, but you’ll not only need a vehicle that can tow – you’ll need one that can handle the weight of your chosen caravan. Typically, vehicles can only tow about 750kg unbraked but it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Don’t make the mistake of buying a caravan without checking if your current vehicle is equipped to pull its weight, or you may have to upgrade to something bigger in order to put your latest purchase to good use. And, if your vehicle requires brakes to be fitted to your caravan to help with slowing down, make sure you check this before you hand over your cash. Caravans are more suited for occasional use and tend to require less ongoing maintenance than a motorhome. They have a simple substructure that’s much like a trailer, so you can park it up for a long period of time without incurring any significant deterioration of its mechanical or electronic components. If you’re a creative thinker, you could even turn a parked caravan into a place for guests to stay or a playroom for the kids. Freedom camping is when you camp on public land that isn’t a recognised camping ground or holiday park. Make sure you plan your journey and respect the area you camp in. Where you can freedom camp? You can freedom camp on DOC (Department of Conservation) and local council land. Your vehicle may need to be self-contained depending on the bylaws that apply in that region. The rules about freedom camping apply to: - Cars
- vans
- motor caravans
- campervans
- RVs
- motorhomes
- caravans
- mobile homes.
Fully self-contained vehicles are needed for the protection of these places and the environment from waste and rubbish. The late Robert Muldoon introduce a leisure Tax in the late 1970’s which a negative impact on the caravan industry and it was not until the turn of the century that it start to come into its own again. Today caravanning/ motor homes are a popular choice in retirement, sell the family home and take to the road. Murray told us that all though some years have been hard he has managed to stay in business and now enjoys the popularity of his choice of career. He has had repeat customers and even now serves the sons and daughters of past customers. Hawkes Bay Caravan Sales 20 Pandora Road Napier 4110 (06) 8351070 or 0274 727 765 Simons parting thought. Accept what is. Let go what was and have faith in what will be. | 
The Rotary Club of Ahuriri Sunrise recently heard guest speaker Murray Church.