NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL INFORMATION

Freedom Camping Rules

From Apollo Motorhome Holidays

The New Zealand Government passed a new law in August 2011 that enables local councils to issue infringement notices to campers that camp in prohibited areas; camp without containment (onboard shower and toilet) facilities where camping is restricted to those with approved facilities; littering; and leaving human waste (faeces and toilet paper).

It’s unfortunate that, because New Zealand is such a great place to visit, the increasing number of visitors meant that more people were not respecting and caring for the country’s pristine natural areas.

Council officers will now issue an on-the-spot fine to the vehicle — therefore Apollo Motorhomes Holidays strongly encourages its customers to follow the freedom camping guidelines.

For a great interactive map which details dump stations, caravan parks and freedom camping areas click HERE.

Peter’s Comment

The Freedom Camping Act 2011 also required local councils to provide adequate free parking/camping places and to clearly signpost all areas where camping is prohibited.

Some councils have failed to comply with those provisions. The Act also prohibits councils from having a blanket ban on free camping within their districts. The Thames Coromandel District Council which previously banned free camping throughout their district has now provided a total of four car parking spaces for the use of motorhomes, caravans and fifth-wheelers.

I’d like to see the mayor try to park a fifth-wheeler within the confines of one car parking space. I heard of one camper who was ticketed for using more than one space.

Often when I drive by the designated camping spaces they are occupied by un-ticketed cars. The council provides thousands of free car parking spaces throughout its area and that includes thousands of spaces, day or night, without a time limit.

Thames Coromandel District Council, in one of New Zealand’s most scenic regions, seems determined to drive campers into expensive motor camps or drive them away. The council stance is tantamount to banning home baked bread to prop up bakeries.

When I drive around in my motorhome I see few campers in the Thames Coromandel district, except rentals who will no doubt be taking home the wrong kind of souvenirs in the form of camping infringements. Meanwhile New Zealand campers avoid the area and local businesses will be suffering as a result.

On a recent Australian motorhome journey from Darwin to Brisbane my wife and I noticed that many towns had signs welcoming campers and even in the outback we found free camping about every 50 kilometers.

It’s time Thames Coromandel District Council came into the real world and started complying with the Freedom Camping Act instead of looking at clever ways to defeat the purpose of the Act in order to prop up vested interests.

Meanwhile, tourists and visiting campers can rest assured that not all councils are like the renegades from Thames Coromandel. Elsewhere, New Zealanders understand the importance of tourism and welcome visitors.