Complaints are ‘exaggerated’, say campers
A group of environmentalist beach users say talk of freedom campers using the area along a coastal Kaiko¯ura road as a ‘‘toilet’’ have been greatly exaggerated.
Over the summer residents have become divided over whether freedom campers should be using popular freedom camping spot Kiwa Rd in Hapuku, north of Kaiko¯ura, which is renowned for its surf breaks.
Cezanne and David Lyons who moved in to their house over look- ing the beach in October run the Kiwi Surf Experience and the Kaiko¯ura Surf Groms youth programme from their home.
The couple made an official complaint to Kaiko¯ura District Council and complained of ‘‘piles of poo’’, nakedness, and used toilet paper scattered on the ground. The area at the front of their property on Kiwa Rd was a health hazard and should be a ‘‘no camping’’ zone, they said.
However, other residents saw it differently.
Juanita Edelmann who owns Seaward Pottery & Accommo- dation said the stretch of beach had been an established camping ground ever since 1974 when she moved there, and campers weren’t a problem and should stay.
Others said the issue has been blown out of all proportion.
One group of freedom campers, all keen surfers and environmentalists, lived in selfcontained campervans and worked in Kaiko¯ura. Many lived there because the rents in town had become too expensive as workers on the 2016 post-quake road and rail rebuild snapped up accommodation and pushed rents up.
Georgia Phelps felt the issue had been ‘‘over exaggerated’’ and ‘‘blown out of proportion’’, to get rid of freedom campers.
‘‘I’ve been here for two months now and I’ve never seen any excrement. I’ve never seen any poo around the long-drop and I use it every day,’’ she said.
Phelps said more toilets would be beneficial.
‘‘A lot of us choose to live out here because we want to live by the beach to surf. Theres a massive debate at the moment about freedom camping, and I feel quite passionate about it.’’
"A lot of us choose to live out here because we want to live by the beach to surf." Georgia Phelps