NORTHLAND: FAR NORTH

The new Te Ahu Community Centre in Kaitaia has a large carpark behind the complex, which also includes a dump station. Low cost overnight parking is available for self-contained motor caravanners.

The centre contains a regional museum that celebrates local Maori, Dalmation, and early settler history. It also includes the library, art centre and information centre, as well as a movie theatre next door. 

For a rural town in the Far North, this is a surprisingly up-market facility, and well worth spending some time having a look around.

For motor caravanners, the public dump station is a useful feature, and being close to the community centre facilities, as well at the town shopping centre, makes this a very convenient stopover.

There is a $10 cost per van, which is not a lot, but was a little surprising as you can park overnight for free in 5 other places in and around the town centre.

The sign on the gate gave the impression of being an after-thought that looked surprisingly out of keeping with the rest of the centre. Maybe it will prove to be just a temporary abherration.

UPDATE: 11-Nov-2014

While the Te Ahu Centre dump station doesn't provide fresh water, this is available at the Mobil Service Station just across the road.

The main entrance to the Te Ahu Community Centre