30 | Gisborne Holdings T T Kelly Deeks Holiday park upgrade a welcome boost The council-owned holding company has completed the first stage of upgrades. Ten new cabins recently installed as part of an expanded accommodation offering. Crafting Considered Spaces Stufkens and Chambers Architects bring fresh thinking to the design of tourism, hospitality and commercial built environments, crafting memorable experiences for all through masterplanning, architecture, interiors, and landscape design. With our passion for creativity, we offer innovative and functional spatial solutions to a diverse range of clients, developers, organisations, and government bodies. Ph. 07 5718086 | www.scarchitects.co.nz Congratulations to GHL for their new vision for Tolaga Bay Holiday Park. Atlas Building Co. We specialize in home renovations and custom new builds, with the expertise to step up for commercial projects when you need us. No job is too personal, no detail is too small. Your Vision. Our Family Tradition. Joseph Glostein • Gisborne • 0274505075 • atlasbuildingcor2018@gmail.com REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “A lot of people have been coming here for as long as 70 years, so we’ve got third and fourth generations now using the park and they have really seen the difference.” A multi-million-dollar investment is reshaping one of the East Coast’s most recognisable tourism assets, with Gisborne Holdings advancing a three-year redevelopment of Tolaga Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park to support regional growth and community connection. Backed by a $4.5 million commitment, the council-owned holding company has completed the first stage of upgrades, reopening the park ahead of summer after a period of closure, and is now progressing the next phase. Gisborne Holdings general manager, James Jenkins, says the project is about lifting standards while delivering wider benefits. “This is a three-year investment plan and the goal is to improve accommodation on the coast while creating something the whole community can use,” James says. The initial stage focused on refurbishing existing accommodation and shared facilities, alongside new additions, including a playground and jumping pillow. The park reopened on December 22, 2025, marking its first full summer under Gisborne Holdings. James says returning visitors have quickly noticed the change. “A lot of people have been coming here for as long as 70 years, so we’ve got third and fourth generations now using the park and they have really seen the difference. The facilities had been neglected for a long time, so the upgrades have meant a lot.” The next phase is now underway, with 10 new cabins recently installed as part of an expanded accommodation offering, catering to families, couples, and groups travelling through the region. Gisborne Holdings commercial manager, Haze Richardson, says the units were built off-site then delivered and installed, alongside significant groundwork to support future growth. Infrastructure upgrades are central to the plan, with septic systems and drainage being upgraded across the site to ensure the park can accommodate increasing visitor numbers and future development. “That work allows for further development, including additional ablution blocks, a games room, and group accommodation with bunk rooms for school camps and holiday programmes. There is a real lack of quality accommodation on the coast, so this is an important step,” says Haze. The investment comes as the wider Tairāwhiti region navigates economic pressures, including a slowdown in forestry and the impact of recent weather events. James says tourism is a key driver for recovery. “The coast has had a tough time. Tourism is one of the main levers we can pull to support the economy, and this is a significant asset for the region.” Located beside Tolaga Bay Wharf and at the base of Mount Titirangi, the park offers direct access to one of the country’s standout coastal destinations, often seen as the gateway to the East Coast. For Gisborne locals, the redevelopment also creates a convenient holiday option close to home, encouraging more people to explore their own region and support local businesses. “It gives people somewhere nearby where they can still have a proper break,” Haze says. “You have everything you need in one place, so it becomes a one-stop-shop for a holiday without having to leave the region.” While rising materials costs and fuel prices have required some redesign and value engineering, particularly with the upcoming civil works, the project remains on track, despite ongoing economic pressures across the construction sector. “All of our plans are progressing well and we are pleased with what has been achieved so far,” James says. As development continues, Gisborne Holdings is focused on delivering a long-term asset that supports tourism, community use, and the future of the East Coast. “It is special to be part of something with that history,” James says. “Now we are making sure it has a strong future as well.”
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