Editorial: Not all campers abuse land

Freedom campers have been criticised for 'hogging' good spots on Art Deco weekend.

Freedom campers have made headlines again this week after complaints about them "hogging Art Deco Weekend parking spots close to Napier's CBD - and turning a central reserve into a makeshift campground".

The laws surrounding freedom campers have changed recently and as Napier mayor Bill Dalton says the council has to have good reason not to allow campers to park up.

I'm sure that most campers do their best to leave camping spots exactly as they found them.

However, as usual there are always the ones who spoil it for others.

People who leave their litter, don't have onboard toilets and camp where there are no public toilets and don't bother using dump stations to get rid of their waste.

Not knowing where to find a dump station is no excuse. Ask someone.

If you don't have the facilities you need to freedom camp then use a serviced campsite.

I do however think that people who use and abuse the land they are camping on are in the minority of freedom campers.

Most leave camping spots as they found them.

As the cost of owning a bach is becoming more a dream than a reality for the average Kiwi and the population ages, it is likely that we will see more and more campervans on the road.

And that means more freedom campers.

After all it's a great way to see the country, and we need to encourage tourists and visitors to Hawke's Bay.

Of course there needs to be rules and regulations but let's not forget these people spend money while they are here and hopefully go and tell their friends and families what a fantastic place Hawke's Bay is.