camping in Kaikoura

In Kaikoura there are 2 basic DOC sites, both in beautiful areas, one across the road from the beach and next to the railway line, the other by the stream towards the mountains. We were enjoying the beach one at Okiwi Bay, it was quiet on a night except for the odd freight train passing through. After a third night there we started the van in the morning to find four lights shining at us from the dash board, at the same time I (Ruth) opened the glove compartment to find the camera case and binocular case had been chewed to bits (thankfully these appeared more comfy materials to make a bed than passports and wallets, few!) It appeared that a mouse, possom or rat had been enjoying the warmth for the night. We worried that he might have also been chewing the wires to bits but thankfully after lots of checking and finding no damaged wires it was just a coincidence that the alternator had gone on the same night as our visitor came, with 462, 500 km on the clock it's no surprise!