Bob LeFridge 
At some stage of our lives, most kiwis have gone through the holiday ritual of setting up a tent in a grassy field next to a beach. But how much should park operators charge you for the privilege? I would've thought $25 to $30 pp would cover it. But I was wrong.
Pāpāmoa Holiday Park is charging $357.75 per night for the 2027 season for a sandy patch of grass. A luxury hotel room would be cheaper and more comfortable.
Around five years ago, Aussie company Tasman Holiday Parks starting buying NZ camp grounds -- they now own eleven of the things!
While initially promising that "nothing will change", Tasman have introduced "surge pricing" in an obvious attempt to gouge kiwi campers. Their pricing is dynamic so you can't see prices until you fill in the booking form.
The tradition of Kiwi camping has been enshittified by greedy Aussies. Who saw that coming?
Philip