Fair warning of camping fines
New signs are being installed along the Lake Hawea lakefront so freedom campers are left in no doubt about the consequences of camping illegally. Lake Hawea freedom camping warden Di Turnbull (pictured) said unlike existing signs, the new ones display the size of the fine freedom campers could incur. Volunteer wardens patrol the Lake Hawea township daily over the summer and can impose instant fines. Four signs have been provided by the Queenstown Lakes District Council and are being trialled.
WELLINGTON: In its first foray into domestic marketing, Tourism New Zealand is asking international visitors to camp responsibly.
The new campaign will focus on telling tourists their responsibilities in the New Zealand outdoors through iSite information, free WiFi, online ads and merchandise.
As part of the campaign, new WiFi hotspots have been set up throughout the country. There is a short video before people can start surfing the net.
Scottish tourist IslaRae Gosling is visiting Dunedin with her father Gerard — who has been cycle touring and camping around the North Island for two weeks.
She watched the video — which tells tourists about ‘‘leaving no trace’’.
‘‘It’s a short and sweet video. What did the older lady say? We’re guardians of this place,’’ Ms Gosling said.
Ms Gosling said freedom camping was a big issue in Scotland.
‘‘You can camp anywhere you want as long as you pick up your litter and leave it as you’ve arrived,’’ Ms Gosling said before her father piped in — ‘‘But they don’t.’’
He said people left a lot of rubbish when they camped.
‘‘It leaves a mess all over our country; so coming here and not being able to do that, I think it’s wonderful,’’ he said.
Mr Gosling said everyone should be taking responsible camping seriously.
‘‘It’s taking responsibility for land you’re on . . . and you should leave it in a pristine conditions so the next person can enjoy exactly what you’ve discovered,’’ Mr Gosling said.
The responsible camping campaign builds on the Tiaki — Care for New Zealand initiative, which asks visitors to care for people and the environment.
Tourism NZ chief executive Stephen EnglandHall said international tourists were being targeted just after they landed.
‘‘This campaign complements the significant amount of work being done across the sector to ensure this is achieved,’’ Mr EnglandHall said.
‘‘The campaign encourages people to plan their journeys, use facilities and leave no trace. It uses a range of tactics including free WiFi to reinforce what we expect of campers and we are excited to see how it performs.’’
A ‘‘How to camp responsibly’’ poster and video had been given to industry, regional tourism offices and councils.
The campaign is a partnership between the Government, Tourism Industry Aotearoa, iSites and some rental vehicle providers.
It is being paid for from the Government’s $8.5 million camping investment fund.
From Monday, iSites across the country will be handing out recyclable bags of camping knowledge and information.
Destination Marlborough general manager Jacqui Lloyd welcomed the campaign, saying visitors wanted to do the right thing and the campaign would show them how they could do that. iSites would be crucial to the campaign.
There are free WiFi hotspots in Akaroa, Bay of Islands, Cromwell, Franz Josef, Greymouth, Omarama, Picton, Queenstown, Rotorua, Westport and Whangarei.
The campaign went online yesterday. — RNZ