Vehicles used for freedom camping often display a sticker to state they are a self-contained unit, meaning they have toilet facilities onboard. Photo / George Novak
Vehicles used for freedom camping often display a sticker to state they are a self-contained unit, meaning they have toilet facilities onboard. Photo / George Novak
Tauranga council is supporting plans to clamp down on freedom campers following a spike in the number of people breaching the rules.
In 2017/18 there were 89 people fined for breaching the Freedom Camping Bylaw in Tauranga by not using a self-contained vehicle while camping. In the year to date,the council had fined 171 people.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has proposed to amend freedom camping rules in New Zealand and is seeking feedback on whether to make certified self-contained vehicles mandatory for freedom campers.
It has also proposed making penalties harsher and strengthening the requirements for self-contained vehicles.
At a council meeting this week, team leader of regulation and monitoring Stuart Goodman presented a submission supporting the changes.
Vehicles used for freedom camping often display a sticker to state they are a self-contained unit, meaning they have toilet facilities on board. Photo/Getty.
Goodman said the number of non-self-contained vehicles had increased and some of these vehicles wrongly displayed a self-contained sticker.
"The predominant issues with freedom camping not occurring in self-contained vehicles are littering or dumping of waste and defecating in public. We receive multiple complaints of public defecation related to freedom campers."
Goodman acknowledged freedom camping was a viable accommodation option, especially if there was a shortage of accommodation when large events such as the AIMS Games were on.
However, many of Tauranga's reserves and carparks where freedom camping was permitted did not have access to toilets at night.
Goodman "strongly agreed" with a proposal to make it mandatory for vehicle-based freedom campers to use a certified self-contained vehicle.
"Freedom camping in Tauranga is already prohibited in non-self-contained vehicles but we see high levels of offending. More robust legislation would encourage compliance."
Goodman supported increasing the maximum freedom camping fines from $200 to $300 and strengthening the requirements for self-containment.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash. Photo / NZME
He said there should be a higher fine for people displaying a false self-containment certificate sticker.
"We would support powers to remove vehicles being used illegally for freedom camping."
At the meeting, commissioner Shadrach Rolleston asked what leniency was given to people living in cars.
Goodman said: "Generally we don't use the Freedom Camping Act to [fine] homelessness. We engage and make sure people who are experiencing homelessness have the right connections [to agencies]. We are quite happy with our approach at the moment - offering support and connecting people rather than a penalty approach."
Barbara Dempsey said the team was optimistic "that maybe our feedback will address some of the concerns that have been in place since legislation was enacted in 2011".
Council commissioners Anne Tolley, Stephen Selwood, Shadrach Rolleston and Bill Wasley approved the submission, which will now be made to the ministry.
After the meeting, Motor Caravan Association chief executive Bruce Lochore said the organisation agreed, in principle, to the proposed changes - but with conditions.
Lochore said he would like to see a central database established for self-contained vehicles with a government agency tasked with the running and enforcement of it. Having a database would allow councils and police to easily see whether a vehicle was appropriately self-contained.
Increasing fines was also a good idea but needed to be balanced to ensure freedom camping was still workable for legitimate campers, he said.
"Over the last 12 months, without international visitors, we've had a huge increase in membership. We've had more Kiwis freedom camping than ever before. So we've got to be careful it's not overkill in finding a solution for a problem that actually involves just a few people," he said.
"That's actually the key issue here - whether there is a certified self-contained vehicle or whether we've got a car with a dodgy sticker."
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said feedback was important to help reshape the management of freedom camping.
"The most consistent complaints I hear about the tourism sector relate to abuse of the freedom camping rules," Nash said.
"A sub-group of visitors are spoiling the experience for more responsible campers and for locals who are left to clean up the mess.
"Freedom camping in self-contained vehicles has a place for Kiwis and international visitors. However, change is needed where vehicles are not self-contained."
Anyone can make a submission, via the ministry's website.
Submissions on the Supporting Sustainable Freedom Camping in Aotearoa New Zealand discussion document are open until Sunday.
