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NZ Park Scheme – Keith Moxham –
August 2011
My understanding on how the NZMCA park’s scheme operates, prepared from discussions I have had
with Peter Gordon, a NZMCA Director, and the Director in charge of Park acquisitions for the
NZMCA.
Peter was instrumental in getting the Parks scheme up and running, initially there was
resistance, however after the first two or three parks had been up and running for a year or so,
the members flocked to them, and attitudes changed, now all directors are out there promoting and
suggesting new park sites.
As the Director in charge of Park acquisitions, Peter has an acquisition budget this year of
NZ$1,8m, Peter is continually lobbied by area presidents to establish a park in their area.
The physical park
Parks are acquired (either
purchase or lease) subject to approval by the relevant authority
The area is flat and suitable
for the purpose
A dump point and wash down
tap is installed
Another tap some 5-6 meters
from the dump point, for filling of tanks is installed
Management
Initially the administration of the parks was an issue but it is now just part of the day to day
operation of the Club, the big change was passing over to the area’s (read Chapters) the management
of the parks, it has instilled new vigor and enthusiasm in the area’s, and area’s which do not have
a park feel left out.
Some of the specific management issues.
From time to time the area
may have a working bee on the park in their area, they are well attended and are part of the
new life breathed into the area’s
All vehicles must be self
contained
There is a locked box, and
either $2 per person per night, or in some cases a gold coin per night is deposited in the
box.
The funds from the box are
collected by the area, deposited to the NZMCA account using a coded deposit slip which then
identifies which park the deposit is coming from on the NZMCA statement, for clarity and
simplicity, would suggest a separate bank account.
Rubbish – some parks are take
your rubbish with you, others have bins supplied and emptied by a contractor, arranged by the
area, paid by NHQ, cost around $1,000 per year.
Mowing – for most parks a
contractor is used, arranged by the area, paid by NHQ, often the same as used by the council,
for one large park (25 acres) a ride on mower has been supplied and the area volunteers do the
mowing.
Some parks have a
kiosk/meeting shed, the donation box is here plus meeting notices, and often a book swap
area.
All vehicles must show their
wings, or in our case it would be a CMCA sticker, and I would suggest on the dash your current
membership card.
Costs
In NZ$ the accounts show
2009 – income $229,673, Expenses $265,332, a cost of $35,659
2010 – income $195,857, Expenses $241,852, a cost of $45,995
With 24 parks 2010 represents a cost per park of $1,916
Peter has advised that the costs in the accounts include depreciation, and that on an on going
day to day basis the parks are cash flow positive, he also advises that NHQ costs are minimal.
Summary
After a rocky start, the parks are now a popular and integral part of the club, well used and
enthusiastically managed and promoted by the area’s, the NZMCA will give us any and all information
from there experience, these parks would not only drive the membership (where else can you stay
with a dump point and water for $2.00 per day), but based on the NZ experience breath new life into
our Chapters.
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