Matata DOC Camp — Hotel in North Island

This is the official complaint that is send to easternbop@doc.govt.nz and doc.govt.nz on the 2nd of February 2021. Unfortunately, we haven't received any feedback or acknowledgement yet from DOC.||||Case:||||29/01: ||||-We arrived at the Matatā DOC Campsite around 4pm and checked in at the reception desk. A very friendly Matata DOC Campsite employee called 'X' checked us in, we paid for 2 nights and she allocated us at campsite nr 37.||||-We drove to campsite nr 37 and it turned out that this site had a slope. We had a look and decided to go back to Campsite employee X to ask if it was possible to have a different campsite with no slope to install our tent.||||-We drove back to the reception and Campsite employee X already greeted us. ( She was really friendly) We asked her if it was possible to change the campsite nr. She had to think for a few minutes and said to us that we could move to campsite nr 37A, which was a flat campsite. She confirmed and mentioned that she would switch another reservation. We thanked her and were happy to hear this.||||-We drove back to campsite 37A to install our tent and unpack. While we were looking where to place the tent a woman, (we didn't see her before) was walking towards us.||||-Without an introduction, out of nowhere she started talking very angry and loud to us and screamed 'WHY IS CAMPSITE NR 37 NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU?' Both of us were surprised and in shock and asked her who she was and what the problem was. Now she started screaming and pointing with her fingers in our face ''WHY IS CAMPSITE NR 37 NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU?' She was furious. We told her in a very calm and polite way that we never said that campsite nr 37 was not good enough for us, we just asked if it was possible to switch and told her that Campsite employee X helped us out and that Campsite employee X confirmed it was ok for us to move to campsite nr 37A. She then told us she was the Manager of Campsite employee X, so the Matatā DOC campsite manager.||||In front of other camping guests she continued screaming and accusing us of things we never said. There was so much anger coming out of this woman, she looked already furious when she walked toward us. We kept calm but she didn't even listen what we had to say. She kept raging and being rude to us. She then left and walked back to the reception.||||-Me and my partner were absolutely in shock about what just happened. A neighbor who was setting up a tent next to our car said ''Yes, we know, she is always like this'. ||||Being treated so disrespectfully without any good reason is not acceptable and me and my partner decided to not stay at this campsite so we went back to the reception.||||- When we arrived at the reception, we mentioned that we do not accept to be treated this way and don't accept being humiliated or treated with disrespect without any reason. I asked the name of the DOC Campsite manager and it turned out her name is 'R'. 'R' refused to give her lastname. We asked for our money back for the 2 nights we paid just 30 minutes earlier and 'R' answered ' In our conditions it says NO REFUND' .... She refused to give our money back and started pointing with her fingers right in our faces again. Campsite employee X asked her to put down her fingers. Without a refund we left.||||-We decided to leave this campsite and both were in shock of what just happened. We drove 5 hours to travel all the way to this campsite so we were tired. We had to find a new campsite to stay which was a challenge because of the long weekend.||||We have stayed in many DOC Campsites and we enjoyed every one of it, the experience at the Matatā DOC Campsite was horrendous.||Why is DOC appointing such a furious, disrespectful (non-hospitable) person as a DOC Campsite Manager...

My husband and I spent 2 nights at this DOC campsite and we cannot wait to go back! ||BOOK ONLINE it will take all the stress out of your experience as there is a gate and it requires a code that is in your confirmation email. ||On arrival we were greeted by the site's ranger Dave who was honestly one of the coolest humans, but his office was a little slice of heaven so we could see why! The grounds were wonderfully spacious, but choose wisely as the tree shade is hit or miss. We booked #48 next to the beach path, but #46 was a lot more shady. ||The toilet & shower facilities were a creature comfort most appreciated... But the shower requires teamwork as it's coin operated and the water starts immediately. If you're travelling solo, I have every confidence Dave would help you with coin duty.||But OMG THE BEACH!!! Just over the dune was the most beautiful white sanded bay and it was within minutes of getting the tent up, did my man chuck a line out! We heard rumours of KINGIS swimming about... but sadly didn't pull any kai. Sunrise over that water was magical though... the Milky Way above our heads at night was amazing (bring bug spray as the mozzies were out and looking for a buffet), and froggos were ribbiting through the night as we fell asleep to the waves crashing. ||Having a dairy, general store, fish & chips joint and pub 200m away was a nice perk as an ice cream was needed in the summer heat.||I cannot recommend this site enough for anyone who loves a...

Great DoC camp, we will be back. ||New camp manager is great; Dave is super approachable, helpful and friendly. ||The grounds were tidy and everyone there was pretty quiet and considerate.||There is cellphone coverage, town supply drinking water and food options within a few minutes walk.||Sites are marked and are a decent size. We had two sites, two vehicles, a 4-person tent, an 8-person tent and a one room canvas tent.||Vehicle access is controlled with a gate so there aren't rogue vehicles hooning through the campsite. ||Toilet block was clean and tidy and had added luxuries like lights, potable water and flush loos. There is also a $1 hot shower.||There is an old washing machine wringer and basic clotheslines.||The camp is right beside a wetland so if I had very young kids, I would pick a site on the ocean side of the camp by the dunes rather than adjacent to the wetland (which they could easily wander into).||Pukekos roam freely so ensure food is in a sealed container or they will steal it (packet and all).||The sandy beach is open coast (not a sheltered, calm bay). It was fine for swimming when we were there but it is a surf beach so reading the...