Freedom camping – more action needed

Freedom camping – more action needed

The Tourism Industry Association says the negative impact some freedom campers are having on the environment and community wellbeing is unacceptable.

TIA Advocacy Manager Geoff Ensor says more needs to be done by industry players and councils to get the message across to those freedom campers who are spoiling it for everyone else.

TIA leads the New Zealand Freedom Camping Forum, whose members represent more than 20 organisations with an interest in freedom camping, including local government, campervan companies, the NZ Motor Caravan Association, Tourism New Zealand and the Police.

Mr Ensor says the group has developed a strong suite of education material for campers and a set of guidelines to assist councils to establish their freedom camping policies.

“Our message to New Zealanders and overseas visitors wanting to freedom camp is clear: Assume nothing - always ask a local about where and how it is permitted. We have also set up a website www.camping.org.nz to help inform our international visitors about what is and isn’t acceptable.”

Mr Ensor says while there is national agreement on the best way to manage freedom camping, it now needs to go to the next level.

“It’s time for tourism operators, organisations and regions to take ownership of the freedom camping messages - an educational approach will only be effective if it is delivered strongly and consistently across the country.”

THL General Manager Marketing Kate Meldrum agrees.

"We strongly believe that collectively we should educate, not legislate. But this will only work if all campervan operators strongly communicate these freedom camping messages to visitors - we accept that's the core responsibility of this project and we are urging everyone to do this."

Geoff Ensor says councils must also take a strong educational approach backed with appropriate enforcement.

“The forum’s aim is to instil a responsible freedom camping culture across the nation, but to achieve this, affected regions need to give the issue greater priority. Some level of enforcement is always likely to be needed and we support councils in this, but we would like to minimise the need for regulation through strong, consistent information to freedom campers.”

Westland District Mayor Maureen Pugh says that tolerance for badly managed freedom camping is at an all time low, and she urges councils to back the national education initiative.

“If this is going to be successful we need all councils throughout the country to get behind the education message, not just one or two. An ideal outcome would be for central Government to take a lead role in helping us deal with this growing problem.”

Geoff Ensor says the next meeting of the NZFCF is in mid-April and it will take a “gloves off” approach to agreeing on ways to make a real difference.

“TIA is deeply concerned about the issue. Working together to protect our environment, retain community support for tourism and deliver world class visitor experiences is absolutely critical and remains a priority for our Association.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media