15 February 2018

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Freedom camping

Enquiry

The reporter sent the following questions after seeing a post on Facebook about freedom campers in Kuirau Park -

- Where can people freedom camp?

- What facilities are required?

- How is this monitored/enforced?

- What is the council policy on the actions in the above FB post? Is there a bylaw that enforces this?

- What action can be taken if freedom camping rules are broken?

- What is your response to the poster's statement that the council officer they spoke to didn't take any details about the vehicle and people?

The reporter also sought comment from the mayor and from Destination Rotorua

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

We're fortunate Rotorua has a large number of excellent holiday parks and so far this year freedom camping doesn't appear to have been a major issue. However, it has increased in recent years and I will be taking the opportunity to provide input into discussions being led by the new tourism minister.

The current Freedom Camping Act is very permissive and local bylaws aren't necessarily the answer. Active enforcement also requires considerable resourcing and even then, there's no guarantee you make a real difference because freedom campers move on. A national approach would make things clearer and simpler, for both councils and campers than the current situation with different rules in different districts.

Council is actively working on a couple of hotspots and Rotorua provides some freedom camping areas. The real concern is people in non-self-contained vehicles camping in areas with no toilet facilities.

From Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley:

During past summers Council received about five calls a month from people reporting freedom campers but it has been fewer so far this summer. We take a non-regulatory approach - campers are often already gone when we get there but if not are spoken to, informed of available holiday parks and camping areas and moved on.

Last year we increased signage in some areas and nightly patrols are conducted around the CBD and surrounding areas.

Rotorua has no existing freedom camping bylaw. Nationally it has been recognised that different bylaws in different districts is confusing for tourists. The government is looking at the issue and we look forward to seeing what emerges in terms of a national approach.

Freedom camping is allowed in several locations in the Rotorua district - in the inner city self-contained vehicles (eg camper vans) are allowed to overnight in the designated parking area in Government Gardens (behind the arts village) and at the lakefront near the yacht club. Further afield freedom camping is allowed at locations with toilet facilities: Lake Okaro, Lake Rerewhakaaitu, Broadlands, Trout Pool Road (Okere Falls) and Boyes Beach Okareka where the local community association manages the camping area on behalf of council. Revenue generated is put back into reserve improvements. That is working really well and is a model we are also exploring at Hamurana.

A call yesterday about freedom campers at Kuirau Park was dealt with by our after-hours call service which noted details and referred it on. The campers were spoken to, informed they weren't allowed to camp there and were referred elsewhere. There is, unfortunately, always the chance that campers return even after being moved on. We have followed up today with the caller.

From Destination Rotorua:

Destination Rotorua have had initial discussions with some visitor industry stakeholders around the concept of a do's and don'ts video for freedom campers which was initiated by the industry. Destination Rotorua thought it was a great initiative and have since had initial discussions with Holiday Parks NZ and Regional Tourism New Zealand as a collaborative approach across New Zealand would ensure one clear message and also gain better reach and engagement. A key challenge is investigating how we ensure the people who need to get the message receive it in the right place at the right time and to ensure the end result is a considered one that has the desired impact.

The increase in visitors comes with its their own set of challenges and, as has been recognised by both local and central government, one of the biggest of these is around infrastructure and the movement of visitors through the city and country. This is a challenge that we will all continue to work through locally and nationally.