Phil TWYFORD
Spokesperson for Local Government
6 July 2011

The Government’s Freedom Camping Bill is heavy-handed and threatens the time-honoured tradition of New Zealanders being free to enjoy the outdoors, Labour’s Local Government Spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

“This Bill makes it easier for councils to declare areas off limits to freedom campers and allows them to levy instant fines on people found camping in certain areas. Labour supported the Bill to select committee, but having listened carefully to public submissions at select committee we don’t believe the Bill should proceed.

It is like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut – effectively handing councils the power to introduce blanket bans. Plus cash-strapped councils could slap instant fines on people for parking up in the wrong place to generate revenue, as some have done with traffic offences and bus lanes,” Phil Twyford said.

“No one condones the minority of irresponsible freedom campers who abuse the privilege, and the environment, by leaving rubbish and other waste, but this Bill goes too far.

“Submitters to the select committee noted most roadside waste is left by international travellers in campervans without self-contained toilet facilities. Let’s deal with that problem, and not crack down on the majority of well-behaved freedom campers, people like the surfer parking up on the roadside late on Friday night so they can get on the water early Saturday morning, or the tramper escaping the city for the weekend.

“There are practical approaches that should be explored before such a punitive regime is imposed on all freedom campers. Why not bring in a phase out of non-self-contained campervans, or just give councils the power to levy instant fines on those caught dumping waste? Perhaps more public toilets, rubbish bins, and facilities for campervans to dispose of their toilet waste, should be provided.

“The Bill is being rushed through Parliament because of the World Cup even though that event is expected to attract far fewer international visitors than a normal summer. It is poorly drafted, doesn’t provide a clear definition of camping, makes ‘preparation to camp’ - whatever that is - an offence, and includes provision for officials to seize and impound a vehicle if someone is found breaking the rules.

“Labour doesn’t want to see this becoming a tool to do away with a freedom our children and grandchildren should be able to enjoy,” Phil Twyford said.

ENDS

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