Concern no agency to certify campervans
WELLINGTON: The lack of a government agency to oversee how campervans are gaining their selfcontained status has the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association worried.
Councils around the country have been cracking down on freedom campers to stop trash and human waste being dumped at popular spots, which often means limiting access for those without a toilet on board.
But the country’s biggest motor home group is warning that not all supposedly selfcontained campers are up to standard.
It wants a loophole in the unregulated certification process plugged as soon as possible.
To be eligible for selfcontained status, any vehicle being used for accommodation has to meet a New Zealand Standard stipulating it has adequate fresh water, a sink, wastewater tank and a toilet, among other criteria.
Any plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer can check a camper and certify such vehicles as meeting the standard, as long as they are registered as an issuing authority.
Caravan association policy manager James Imlach said the Ministry for the Environment used to regulate the sector but gave up the role in 2012.
‘‘And since then there’s been no governing body or no regulatory body overseeing the application and interpretation of the standard.
‘‘We’ve been quite vocal in our dismay with that decision and we’ve pushed really hard for a government agency to be reestablished into that administering authority position.’’
Mr Imlach said the association had recently stopped doing selfcontained status inspections for nonmembers.
‘‘You know, we just don’t have the resources to be able to certify all of the little vans that a lot of international tourists want to purchase and fit out.
‘‘And, to be honest, we don’t believe many of the designs are suitable for certification and we’re refusing quite a few of them.’’
Mr Imlach said because there was no overarching regulator, it was possible those vehicles could still get selfcontained status from another issuing authority.
The caravan association was also warning local authorities and potential buyers that bumper stickers indicating vehicles are selfcontained have to be treated with scepticism.
Mr Imlach said they have been available over the internet and compliance officers and buyers needed to check the windscreen certificates and if in doubt ask to see inspection papers which the vehicle owners should be able to supply.
The Government is working to reestablish a regulator to police the issuing of selfcontained status to camping vehicles, after a Ministry of Tourism working group recommended the move last year. — RNZ