The future of an ambassador programme which has helped manage surging numbers of freedom campers around Whangārei this summer is uncertain.
Whangārei District Council's freedom camping ambassador programme was funded by a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise grant made available last year to districts experiencing enormous strain on their infrastructure and resources from the huge increase in freedom campers in the recent years.
Responsible camping co-ordinator Sue Halliwell said the council has no certainty of government funding to continue the ambassador programme next year although the "council will certainly be seeking it if it is available".
Under the programme, ambassadors carried out 520 site visits and handed out nearly 3000 information packs between December 20 last year and February 10.
The ambassadors monitored 10 spots around Whangārei - Sandy Bay, Woolleys Bay, Matapouri, Kowharewa Bay, Ocean Beach, Mt Manaia, Reotahi, Parua Bay, Tamaterau and Ruakaka Reserve - which historically were the most popular sites and had received the most complaints.