Media reports over the holiday period had again highlighted the challenge to rural New Zealand from the influx of freedom campers according to Federated Farmers.
In many localities the facilities at popular sites had been overwhelmed, in some cases farmers being left to sort out the mess left by campers who had stayed on or crossed their land.
For example, local government spokeswoman Katie Milne said a Golden Bay farmer had been asked by his local council to consider serving trespass notices on freedom campers and others living there in vehicles longer-term, while according to media the same council had instructed its own enforcement officer not to patrol the area because of safety concerns.
"Let's be clear about the problem: tourism is at record levels, and freedom camping in particular is on the rise, with 44,000 international visitors taking the option last summer," Ms Milne said.
"The government is making plenty in GST but doing little to fund the needs of small communities in need of significant investment to cope."