​New operator for Omakau Camp from 1 November

From 1 November, Omakau Camp is being run by Kiwicash Limited, trading as Penny, a New Zealand-owned campground and tourism operator.

The camp has been part of the Omakau Recreation Reserve for more than 60 years. It was run for many years by the Omakau Recreation Reserve Committee, and Central Otago District Council has operated it for the past eight years. It continues to perform well, but a review earlier this year, done with the committee’s agreement, found the potential for better ways of operating it, to keep the camp fit for purpose and financially sustainable without placing an undue burden on ratepayers.

Jayden Cromb, Vincent Community Board Chair says the reserve has been managed in a certain way for a number of years, but things are changing.

“With the new hub coming and the camp manager moving on, it was time to look at how best to operate the camp for locals and visitors. It was important to the community board and Council that we found a partner who understands rural communities and the many ways this camp is used alongside them.”

Penny’s model is built for public and council-owned facilities, pairing local staff with automated booking and payment technology. At Omakau, that means a live-in camp manager during peak season, looking after day-to-day operations, grounds and guests, while Penny’s technology handles the administration and security. Penny will also bring online booking and a stronger online presence, which the camp doesn’t have now, and we expect that to bring more visitors.

Dave Cockburn, Chairperson of the Omakau Recreation Reserves Committee, says the committee supports the move.

“We want to see the camp looked after properly, and it’s important to us that locals and community groups can keep using it the way they always have.”

The Central Otago A&P Show, held each February, will keep its preference over the camp facilities that weekend, and the camp will keep working alongside groups such as the domain committee and the rugby club.

There will be a settling-in period for both the camp and the community. When the new Omakau Hub opens in the first half of 2027, the way people use the wider reserve may change again, and we’ll keep working with the community as that happens.