This year, Tāhuna Beach Camp Inc. celebrates an incredible milestone – 100 years since the incorporation of the (formerly called) Sands Association, the organisation that laid the foundations for what has become one of New Zealand’s most iconic holiday destinations.
In the 1890’s, Tāhunanui was little more than an intertidal sandbank consisting of lagoon, swamp and dunes. Recognising its recreational potential, Nelson City Council purchased the land in 1910, and by the 1920s early facilities such as dressing sheds and a playground had been established to meet growing public use.
The area’s transformation into a major holiday destination gathered momentum in 1937 with the formal opening of the Motor Camp in partnership with the Automobile Association. Rapidly gaining popularity, visitor numbers surged into the thousands each summer, prompting ongoing development and– laying the foundations for the park we enjoy today.
Named as the 2025 winner of the Outstanding Accommodation Provider at the Nelson Tasman Hospitality Association Awards, the Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park has long been a hub for families and the surrounding community. The park spans 22 hectares (54 acres), now hosting up to 2,200 guests per day during peak season both camping and in cabins, studios and motel units. A village of around 120 permanent residents live on-site, many of whom choose to make the seaside location their long-term home.
Debbie Armatage, the Park’s marketing, communications and events manager says much has changed in the past decade or so, in the way people are travelling and what they require. “The demand for larger sites has increased due to people bringing bigger vehicles, more equipment and toys including jet skis and boats. There is also an increased demand for unisex and individual facilities. People want to travel more with their pets, particularly outside of summer peak and there is a higher expectation for on-site recreational pursuits over and above just accommodation.”
Keeping up with technology, the business has incorporated more digital applications through payment options; self-check-in, bookings online, and apps for notifications. “The guests have far more demand for Wi-fi capabilities with the advent of media streaming.” The incorporation of entry-gate number plate recognition has been instrumental for the team, says Debbie.
“There is less hold-up at the Park’s entrance, as well as enabling better control of who’s actually in our grounds. But despite all the changing needs, at the heart of it, our guests still want the same thing - a simple, easy, relaxing holiday reconnecting with family and the like-minded people around them.”
Celebrating 100 Years in 2026
The centenary year is set to be a full celebration of history, community, and fun, combining in-person events with digital experiences so everyone can participate. The festivities kicked off with a New Year’s Day Picnic, featuring live music, games, spot prizes, and one short speech. During the April school holidays, guests and members of the public can explore the Park via a historic guided tour app, which highlights 12 historic places of interest in the park, sharing stories and images of the area's long history, timed to be part of TUKU26 Whakatū. “While the catalyst for creating the tour was the 100-year milestone, the stories go back much further than this, with the land in use since early human inhabitance,” says Debbie.
Digital activities throughout the year, from the Summer Style Showdown to the Memory Art and Beach Olympics (Home Edition), will allow guests to engage creatively and reminisce, no matter where they are. In-person highlights include the Great Sculpt Off sandcastle competition in February, a Beach Scavenger Hunt in July, and the annual Beach Clean-Up aiming to collect 1,000kg of rubbish in September. Photography enthusiasts can join the Look to the Sky Sunset Photo Competition in November, capturing the stunning vistas of the beach they love.
Installed on New Year’s Day, the Whanau Tree is a symbolic tribute to individuals, families, staff, residents and board members who have been involved with the park for 20 years or more, explains Debbie. “We are a tight-knit village with generations of families having stayed with us – the oldest we’ve tracked dating back to 1949. Each personalised leaf acknowledges the support and loyalty our Park community has shared during the past century.”
The 2026 milestone will also include the 100th Annual General Meeting in September, as well as a reunion for past and present staff, honouring the team whose work has shaped the park for decades. The park is currently compiling a commemorative publication titled 100 Years of Beachside Memories, which is due to be launched at the AGM. The book aims to reflect the deep connection many Kiwis have with Tāhuna’s coast, capturing the evolving story of one of Aotearoa’s most enduring holiday destinations. The publication will celebrate a century of holidays, family trips, day visits and simple seaside moments, drawing on stories, snapshots and experiences submitted by generations of visitors and staff.
Organisers are inviting people to share their memories, photos and stories of time spent at the park — whether as holidaymakers, long-term residents, staff or day visitors — to help shape the book’s narrative. Submissions will help document personal experiences and Tāhuna’s evolving story, giving voice to decades of collective memories that span family reunions, seasonal traditions, beachfront views and life in one of the country’s most beloved coastal parks. The publication aims to reflect both the historical significance and community value of the park, bringing together snapshots and tales from different eras. From early motor camp days to contemporary holiday life, 100 Years of Beachside Memories will serve as a lasting tribute to the many people and moments that have made Tāhuna a special place on the New Zealand holiday map.
Steve Cross, Chair of Tāhuna Beach Camp Inc. says, “Their collective efforts are the foundation of all we enjoy today. Our centennial year is an exciting time for Tāhuna Beach Camp Inc. The Association was formed with the objective of developing the Sands area at Tāhunanui. Now, one hundred years on, the vision of those early enthusiasts is being preserved with thousands of visitors each year getting to enjoy affordable family holidays at a beachside location ‘making memories’.”
