Local Government New Zealand welcomes the long overdue review of self-contained freedom camping rules announced by Tourism Minister Stuart Nash last week. 

 “Many councils across the country welcome the contribution freedom campers make to local economies,” said LGNZ President Stuart Crosby. 

“However, since the National-led Government changed the legislation to enable freedom camping for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, we’ve been struggling to manage the impact some campers have on the environment and council budgets. 

“That’s why we support this review – it’s not about banning freedom camping or being a kill joy, but enabling this activity in a way that respects our communities and environment.” 

Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan says it is a great step forward. 

“Minister Nash’s discussion document takes much of the work done by the Ministerial Working Group on Responsible Camping that I sit on and put it out to the public which is a great step forward.

“Certainly a system that identifies what is a properly self-contained vehicle is desperately needed and it is good to see the Minister backing this.  

“For me though, the big question in the document for discussion is whether New Zealand makes it mandatory for freedom camping in a vehicle to be done in a certified self-contained vehicle or makes it mandatory for freedom campers to stay in a vehicle that is certified self-contained, unless they are staying at a site with toilet facilities (excluding public conservation lands and regional parks).”

Mayor Tim says he knows, for many people, the first option of simply banning the cheap vehicles that pretend to have proper toilet facilities and only allow freedom camping in properly appointed vehicles will seem the most attractive.  

“However, I urge caution here, because those “proper” vehicles are also very expensive vehicles to buy or hire. 

“Do we really want the outdoor experience in New Zealand to be made for the rich only?  

“I get pretty passionate about this because I raised my kids when they were young on my own and one of the things we could afford to do was to take our tent and go camping in some out of the way places.  

“I think both these kids would tell you they are some of their best memories. They certainly are mine.  

“We always went to sites where there were toilet facilities and we were religious about taking our rubbish with us etc.  

“The first option will stop people who can’t afford the flash campers from sharing the experiences I had with my kids and that to me is not right and is not what being a kiwi is all about.  

“That is why I support the second option, of allowing camping outside of certified self-contained vehicles at sites with toilet facilities.”

Mayor Tim Cadogan welcomes the review of freedom camping, but warns the outdoors should not only be for the rich and some heavy-handed changes. Photo: The Central App. 

Mayor Tim says he also questions the “heavy-handed approach” of banning camping even at places with toilet facilities unless certified self-contained when most Mayors in the country advise that complaints about freedom camping have dropped to almost nothing since education and enforcement measures were brought in three summers ago.  

“That has certainly been my experience,” he says. 

Tourism Central Otago (TCO) General Manager Dylan Rushbrook says from his organisation’s perspective, the changes are welcome but warns it is not one size fits all.

“We (TCO) welcome this step, but caution Freedom Camping regulation isn’t a case of one size fits all regions.

“We’ve greatly appreciated all those that have visited this summer and kept our visitor economy moving, as well as worked in other critical industries such as horticulture and viticulture.  

“CODC has worked closely with central government agencies in recent years to manage freedom camping in Central Otago. The approach taken in here has been one of education rather than enforcement, and by in large those initiatives have been a success.

“The feedback we get is most people want to do the right thing, and once informed will happily comply. So we are very keen to keep working with central government and our local communities on these initiatives to keep the momentum going in Central.

“There is no underestimating how tricky this is for government to strike a balance. They need to keep supporting the successes, while ensuring the minority that don't wish to comply don't have the opportunity. We'll be watching and engaging with interest.”

Rotorua Lakes Mayor Steve Chadwick has been pivotal in engaging with central government on tourism as a co-chair of the Responsible Camping Working Group, a member of Tiaki – Care for New Zealand, and more recently as co-chair of the Tourism Futures Taskforce. (continue reading below)

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As the mayor of a popular tourist destination, she notes that while the majority of campers are responsible campers, regulation is needed to address poor behaviour at the fringe.

“The majority of responsible campers do the right thing by having self-contained vehicles, disposing of their waste in the right way, and aren’t going out of their way to burden anyone,” Mayor Steve says. 

“But as the Minister has pointed out, our system means that someone has to carry the cost, and that’s often ratepayers, and additionally there are those who aren’t abiding by our Tiaki values.  

“This consultation is important in setting out the boundaries to address these issues.

“We will be interested in the allocation of resource to enforce any new regulations, as that shouldn’t be another burden on our ratepayers, who see none of the GST or other taxation benefits, but carry the regulatory costs.

“It’s not about campers paying more, it’s about them taking care of their own social, cultural and environmental impacts, by having their vehicles and gear up-to-scratch.  We think that this can be a win-win situation for everyone.”

Public feedback is now invited to improve freedom camping in New Zealand.

To support the public consultation, the first of a series of public meetings throughout Aotearoa is being held at the Ellen Melville Centre in central Auckland from 2pm – 4pm on Wednesday 14 April.

“There are many ways people can find out information and share their thoughts about the government’s proposals to improve freedom camping,” says Danielle McKenzie, Manager Tourism Policy, MBIE.

The discussion document Supporting Sustainable Freedom Camping in Aotearoa New Zealand, a one-page summary and an online survey, is available on the Have Your Say section of the MBIE website.

Public meetings will be held in Auckland, Whangārei, Hokitika, Westport, Queenstown, Christchurch, Twizel, Whitianga, Tauranga, Taupō, Gisborne, Picton, Kaikōura, Nelson and Tākaka.

“As well as public meetings, we’re also holding webinars for those who can’t get to a meeting in person,” says Danielle McKenzie.

“I would encourage people to visit the MBIE website, so they know what the proposals are, and can provide feedback on areas of interest.  Details of the public meetings and webinars are also on the website and will be updated as more dates and times are added.”

Submissions can be made through MBIE’s online survey, by email or mail and close on Sunday 16 May.

The first public meetings will be in Auckland and Northland. 

Visit http://www.mbie.govt.nz/freedom-camping-consultation/ for information about the consultation, how to have your say, and where and when public information sessions and webinars will be held.

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