Cake, Clouds, and 30 Years of KNP

The dropping temperatures on Saturday night didn’t stand a chance against the warm vibes at Katikati Naturist Park. Yesterday, April 4th, the pool complex was humming as campers, guests, and a few "old hands" gathered to toast three decades of one of NZ’s most iconic naturist havens.

The "Tent" Years

While we all know KNP as an award-winning park now, the "Naked Truth" of its start is a classic bit of Kiwi grit. Kevin and Joan Sampson bought the bare scrubland back in ’94 and literally lived in a tent for seven weeks while their house was being built.

By early 1996, they’d transformed that "messy" block into a fully functional park with a pool, spa, and 20 powered sites. Guests at the party spent the evening poring over an old photo album, marveling at just how much "hard graft" went into clearing that land.

A "Fabulous" Spread

Around 6:30 pm, the call went out for the potluck. Overseen by Perry and a band of willing helpers, the spread was top-shelf: salads, rice dishes, meats, and enough "community spirit" to feed an army. It was the perfect backdrop for a night of storytelling.

Passing the Torch

Current owner Brien Lampen-Smith officially introduced the guests of honour, and Kevin took us back to the early days. He spoke about the decade of improvements leading up to their 2016 departure, and while he acknowledged a few "tough years" under previous management, he was stoked to see the park looking so sharp under Brien’s new leadership.

Then came the "Scoop": Vicky presented an amazing anniversary cake, and Kevin and Joan were invited to do the honours of the first slice. As they raised their hands in a spontaneous celebration after the cut, there was a palpable sense of pride and fulfillment in the air. 

The "Rigged" Reception Bell

There were plenty of laughs, too. Colin Basire recalled the time he and partner Glenne Findon looked after the shop for six weeks while the Sampsons were on holiday overseas.  While mentioning that running the establishment was no walk in the park, Colin quipped that he suspected Kevin had rigged the chairs with a secret device—every time he finally sat down to relax, the reception bell would ring!

Dancing into the New Dawn

As the speeches wrapped up, the music kicked in. Some hit the dance floor, others retreated to the spa pools, and the conversation kept flowing well into the night. It was more than a birthday party; it was a reminder that KNP isn't just a business—it’s a community built on 30 years of shared freedom.

Cheers to Kevin and Joan for the vision, and to Brien for keeping the "Pulse" beating strong.