Chris and Verleene Robertson, from Glenbervie in Northland, are the proud new owners of a luxury 6-berth KEA motorhome for a year – the fabulous gate prize from the recent Covi Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor SuperShow.

The couple got a huge surprise when they received the phone call from David Culpan, General Manager at Spot On Publications, to tell them that they had won the KEA motorhome for a year. “We nearly fell off our seats when we realised we had won,” explains Chris. “We aren’t competition people – we never win anything!”

The Covi SuperShow nearly didn’t happen for Chris and Verleene this year though. Having arrived back in the country from Vanuatu a mere two days before the weekend of the show, the couple debated whether to drive all the way down to Auckland from their Northland home.

But Chris had visited the Covi SuperShow in 2010 and had been very impressed, and as a serious prospective buyer for a new motorhome, he convinced Verleene to go and headed south to the ASB Showgrounds.

Whilst at the show the couple checked out several motorhomes and caravans and compared prices across the board, and were getting close to making a final decision. Having owned a yacht in the past (Verleene was Commodore of the Tutukaka South Pacific Yacht Club), Chris and Verleene are used to the travelling lifestyle. Now with their new motorhome, they are looking forward to discovering new places once again.

They plan to explore their favourite Northland spots, and will visit either Matauri Bay or Elliots Beach on their first trip away in the KEA. “Living in Northland means we know all of the best spots,” says Chris, who is a keen competitor on the sheep dog trial circuit, which takes him throughout New Zealand.

The couple have signed up to the NZMCA for the year and plan to use the motorhome as often as possible for holidays and as accommodation whilst Chris is on the dog trial circuit.

As well as enjoying the nearby Northland beaches, Chris and Verleene hope to get down to the South Island next year. “It’s hard for me to take time off work,” explains Verleene, a financial advisor. “But at least with the motorhome I can take my laptop and work from there.” The 6-berth motorhome has a tow bar on the back which the couple plan to carry their bikes, and the dogs (in a box) when going from trial to trial in the competition season.

Chris and Verleene are thrilled to have won the KEA motorhome for the year and agree that it will be a good test for them to confirm that they enjoy the motorhoming lifestyle before purchasing one of their own. Living near the Tutukaka Coast means they won’t need to go far to start enjoying the beautiful spots available to NZMCA members, “Northland is a magical place,” says Chris, who is originally from Palmerston North. “We hope to use the motorhome as much as possible to explore all of the amazing places in the area.”