Opotiki business owners are getting behind an iwi request to discourage visitors this summer.

District Council and Te Whanau-a-Apanui are jointly asking would-be holidaymakers to stay away.

The iwi says it's to stop Covid spreading into tribal territories with many vulnerable Maori.

Councillor and iwi leader Louis Rapihana told Heather du Plessis-Allan a number of campgrounds are proactively shutting.

“Te Kaha Holiday Park has been closed, Hawai Bay Park has been closed, Maraehako Bay Park has been closed by the individual owners.”

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