Safety complaint could sound death knell for children's campground paradise
From reporter Nadine Roberts:
It’s a slice of Kiwi childhood, with a helping of rough and tumble adventure where cotton wool is banished.
But Little River Campground on Banks Peninsula may be about to have its last marshmallow toast on the unfenced campfire, after a complaint to WorkSafe left owners Marcus Puentener and Megan Gainsford afraid of the liability they face in order to be safety compliant.
An unknown complainant reported safety concerns after a woman dislocated her leg on the slippery slide in February.
The complainant also said the boardwalks through the native forest were rotten, a trampoline was dangerous and an outdoor power cord to a glitter globe above a campfire was not safe when it rained.
Puentener said the accident in February was unfortunate and was created because the polythene sheet was in two sections. One sheet blew up, causing the woman to get caught, he said. He immediately closed the slide down and was working on how to make it safer.
It was just the second serious accident since the couple took over the campground – the other was after a woman jumped off a trampoline and injured her leg on slippery grass.
Although WorkSafe had been supportive and helpful so far, Puentener said the complaint had forced the couple to re-evaluate the future of the campground.
A WorkSafe spokesperson confirmed they had been contacted about a “number of concerns” relating to the campground but said it could continue operating while addressing health and safety concerns.
“The concerns raised are easily resolvable with attention, which will both keep children safe and provide that reassurance to parents and caregivers,” the spokesperson said.
However, Puentener said if they had to upgrade the boardwalk through five hectares of native bush they would have to find hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. With Puentener as the only employee, large scale changes were not financially viable.
Now the couple are weighing up what they can do in order to reopen in October, but Puentener admits to feeling disheartened and unsure of the way forward after a difficult year when numbers through the gate have not been what he hoped.
Options include closing off the native area or putting it under the guidance of a trust. Both would see the demise of the slippery slide, giant swing and boardwalk.
The couple are also considering upping the price for campers or offering a membership scheme. Their least favourite option is closing, but it’s something they will seriously consider when the campground closes for the season on April 24.
In the meantime a social media campaign has heated up, with members of the public considering setting up a Givealitte page to help save the campground.
Others are offering to do a working bee.
The outpouring of support has been welcomed by Puentener.
“It’s humbling to know that people do have a connection with the place.”
Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Poll: Is it okay to grocery shop in your PJs?
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
-
14.3% It's fine!
-
75.1% It's questionable
-
10.6% Other - I'll share below
Vanessa
“Giggly girt! Giggly girt!”
“See I got my hair cut on Friday. I've got my hair band to keep it up. See? Like this I keep it up.
Biscuit Blair - she's my favourite woman. And you. And that cheeky lady over there.
My last name is Rule. I'll write it down for you, you silly old duff.
I was born on West Coast. I moved here when I was a little girl.
I like doing pictures here that’s why I like pictures. Doing art. I like going for a walk. I come here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
My sister, I go see her on Saturday. Have a cup of coffee, at home. She's five, nine. 59. I'm five, seven, 57. This year I'll be 58. My birthday's on a Thursday. I'm having chocolate cake and pizza. And lolly ice cream.
Some people are noisy. Nicholas, and Peter and Chris, they are my friends and that giggly girt over there.
I get headache sometimes at other work, because noisy.
I'm happy here. I could go for a walk if I want to. I'm good.”
- Vanessa, White Room Creative Spaces
The White Room is a community creative space that removes barriers to
making art. Through this, artists build confidence and connections and
embrace new opportunities.
Loading…
