Holidaymakers from Dunedin and further afield have flocked to many small coastal communities north of the city.
Yesterday, some were enjoying the sunshine and peace and quiet just for the day, while others were staying longer.
Dunedin resident Michael Algie made a day trip to Purakaunui with family members yesterday.
He appreciated the beauty and sense of peace, and also his contact with Purakaunui locals, he said.
''I quite like the friendliness of the community, Mr Algie said.
''It always feels like a pretty laid-back group of people.
''It's always a special spot,'' he said.
Retired builder and shipbuilder Allan Ford and his wife Sheila, who made an expedition south with their caravan from their home in Warkworth, north of Auckland, were yesterday taking delight in the quiet of Long Beach, where they own a section.
Mr Ford said he was enjoying seeing his son, Julian, and reconnecting with neighbours in the area, who were a ''nice group of people''.
