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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Clearer rules set for freedom campersJULIA WADE 06 Nov, 2020
However, after a recent announcement by the tourism ministry, some of these liberties will be officially curbed for a number of travellers due to tougher freedom camping laws. Following ‘an extensive round of public consultation’ earlier this year, tourism minister Stuart Nash confirmed on November 30 that new legislation is being introduced to help prevent abuses such as ‘freedom campers slapping bogus blue stickers on vehicles to falsely claim compliance’. The minister says the abuse has placed an ‘unfair burden’ on small communities and also damaged New Zealand’s reputation as a ‘high quality visitor destination’. However, backpackers in budget vehicles, motorhomes and towed caravans are still very welcome, he says. “At the heart of the new law will be greater respect for the environment and communities through a ‘right vehicle, right place’ approach,” Nash says. “We are setting clear, minimum expectations for campers. Once the bill is passed the changes will be phased in over two years to allow vehicle owners time to ensure their vehicle meets the new certification standards, which includes having a fixed toilet.”
Defining freedom camping Under the current NZ Standard, the minimum requirements for self-contained vehicles range from basic vans with portable toilets, to premium motor vehicles with hot showers, sleeping platforms, fixed-toilets and cooking facilities. To conform to the minimum standard under the new law, freedom camping vehicles must have a self-contained toilet, with conversion costs estimated between $500-$800, and be able to hold three days of fresh water and wastewater. Although the government has committed around $27 million since 2018 to help limit the issues of freedom camping, communities and councils still report problems such as the inappropriate disposal of human waste, uncertified vehicles, parking outside designated areas including on private driveways and front lawns and littering. Enforcement of the new laws will continue to be carried out by local councils and the Department of Conservation (DoC). The rules do not apply to hikers setting up camp in remote or wilderness areas and ‘have never applied’ to fatigued drivers taking a rest on the side of the road. The proposals are also not intended to allow local authorities to target homeless people. “The Government has committed $10 million in transitional funding to support local councils to educate freedom campers and develop local bylaws over two years,” Nash says. “The changes will also benefit small business owners who run backpackers hostels or campgrounds and have lost business. Hostels and campgrounds are perfect for the budget-conscious traveller who may have considered freedom camping in the past.”
Significant rise “Our country is a paradise for tourists. When international borders re-open tourism will not match pre-Covid levels but we can expect greater pressure. Abuse of freedom camping by domestic and international travellers not only damages our 100% Pure brand, it erodes public support for tourism and undermines its social licence to operate,” Nash said. “Freedom camping will always be a valuable part of our tourism experience… there are hundreds of campgrounds and campsites managed by the Department of Conservation and commercial operators, many charging very low nightly rates for the use of facilities. They will gladly welcome all travellers, no matter what type of vehicle they have.”
Freedom camping in Kaipara In 2020, council reviewed the issue and, noting the potential impact the Covid pandemic would have on freedom camping at the time, determined there was currently no need for such a bylaw. Now that the signalled changes are ‘formally in motion’, KDC’s policy team will be reporting to council once the new legislative provisions are in place, about ‘what, if any, options the new legislation provides for consideration’ a council spokesperson says. “The proposed legislation includes the provision of a more restrictive approach nationwide, rather than having to be implemented by individual councils through bylaw provisions. It is anticipated this will be a further consideration for council when determining whether a bylaw would be an appropriate approach for Kaipara District Council.”
Cost to campgrounds Located along the beautiful shores of the estuary at the end of Mangawhai Heads Road, the holiday park is a prime spot and with a large parking area bordering the waters, is an attractive site for freedom campers to park up. “We have freedom campers staying overnight in the boat ramp area and adjacent car park. It’s interesting to note how they won’t pay to stay at a camp site, but when parked on our boundary they sneak in usually under cover of darkness, dump their rubbish, steal water, and even shower and use our kitchens late at night,” Gunson says. “There is no such thing as free camping, it costs someone, maybe if it was tax or ratepayer funded camping, it would better reflect its usage. It might be free to them but it costs us.”
Te Arai Point’s wild, windswept beauty attracts many visitors who park up and enjoy the view, including travellers in campervans and kitted-out vehicles, which will need to be certified self-contained next year to earn the freedom to camp along New Zealand’s tourist routes. PHOTO/JULIA WADE
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Hitting the road in a kitted-out vehicle packed with everything you need to sleep, eat and live free, sets the path for a more adventurous type of touring, one that allows travellers to park up and set up camp around some of New Zealand’s most spectacular coastline and country.
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