New freedom camping rules 'a step in the right direction', Whanganui holiday park owner says

New government regulations on freedom camping will require self-contained certification for vehicles. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui holiday park owners say they will welcome freedom campers needing their facilities after the Government announced stricter rules around staying at council sites.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash announced new legislation this week, which included a rule that freedom campers would need to be in a certified self-contained vehicle to stay overnight on land managed by councils.

Vehicles will need to have a fixed toilet to be certified self-contained, which would be overseen by agents authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

Instead of the current $200 fines, non-compliance could bring penalties of up to $1,000.

Darryl Dowman, who owns Lakelands Holiday Park at Kaitoke, said he had hoped to see limits imposed on the number of freedom camping sites but believed the new regulations were a step in the right direction.

"When you're a business owner as well as a ratepayer, it's hard to see people coming through and enjoying free access to the things your rates pay for and not supporting local businesses," he said.

Some freedom campers spent "no more than a few dollars on takeaways and petrol", Dowman said, and left rubbish behind for the council to deal with.

Nash said tougher freedom camping laws were needed to prevent abuse, which had placed an unfair burden on small communities and damaged New Zealand's reputation as a high-quality visitor destination.

"The changes will also benefit small-business owners who run backpackers' hostels or campgrounds and who have lost business.

"Hostels and campgrounds are perfect for the budget-conscious traveller who may have considered freedom camping in the past," he said.

Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park owner Jeannie Marshall said she looked forward to welcoming more visitors.

"We would love to welcome more visitors all year round and people make great friends while they're here," she said.

Lakelands Holiday Park owners Jackie and Darryl Dowman hope the new regulations will benefit local businesses like theirs. Photo / Bevan Conley

Nash said there were hundreds of campgrounds and campsites managed by commercial operators charging very low nightly rates for the use of facilities.

"They will gladly welcome all travellers, no matter what type of vehicle they have," he said.

"Backpackers in budget vehicles are welcome. Motor homes and towed caravans are welcome [at freedom camping sites]. But at the heart of the new law will be greater respect for the environment and communities through a 'right vehicle, right place' approach."

The Government was setting clear, minimum expectations for campers, Nash said.

"Higher standards must be met before vehicles can be certified as truly self-contained, with fixed toilets.

"Abuses in the past included campers slapping bogus blue stickers on vehicles to falsely claim compliance."

Nash said the new regulations were in response to an extensive round of public consultation, which took place earlier this year.

"Feedback from communities and councils made it clear some freedom campers remain a problem. Issues include uncertified vehicles, parking outside designated areas including on private driveways and front lawns, littering, and disposal of human waste."

Whanganui District Council has approved its own freedom camping bylaw which became effective on November 1, 2021.

Whanganui councillor Rob Vinsen said he had been talking to travellers and local residents who live near freedom camping sites.

"Genuine travellers who have followed the rules are very annoyed by what they see as an abuse of privilege by a minority," he said.

"I totally support this government initiative as it clarifies what a self-contained vehicle should be. It also increases the potential fines for those who breach the rules. I have had several Whanganui East residents contact me about the abuse of privilege, the untidy state of some sites, and for some staying more than the four nights allowed under the new bylaw."

Under the new government regulations, freedom campers will be able to stay on Department of Conservation (DOC) land in vehicles that are not self-contained unless DOC has formally restricted or prohibited camping in such vehicles.

The new rules can also be extended to cover land managed by Waka Kotahi (NZTA), and Toitū Te Whenua-Land Information NZ.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash with Northland MP Willow-Jean Prime announcing a reset of freedom camping regulations. Photo / Peter de Graaf

"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," said Nash.

"The Government has committed $10 million in transitional funding to support local councils to educate freedom campers and develop local bylaws over two years."