Motorhome body gives thumbs up

Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley (foreground, left) and New Zealand Motor Caravan Association South Canterbury branch chairman Ken Batchelor celebrate with South Canterbury members earlier this week Waimate being declared only the second South Island district to be ''motorhome-friendly''.

Mr Rowley was presented with a certificate and signs from the association to mark the occasion.

Signs will be put up at the entrance to Waimate and on State Highway 1, advertising the district's status, something Mr Rowley sees as a way to boost the local economy.

The status can be earned only by meeting criteria, including the district having the facilities such as a dump and watering station for motorhomes, camper vans and caravans, and policies on freedom camping that were legal. Mr Rowley took the opportunity at the presentation to promote the district to about 50 motorhome owners.