Nash is right to crack down on camper vans
I LIKE what Stuart Nash has to say about our future tourism (ODT,
18.11.20).
New Zealanders can’t go to other countries and behave as some overseas visitors seem to think it is okay to behave in New Zealand.
Our problems mainly stem from camper vans. Make camper van companies responsible for collecting the revenue if hirers are caught flouting the law. They do this already for existing speeding infringements for the Government, but not for local councils.
Change the name from ‘‘freedom camping’’ to ‘‘vehicle camping’’, removing the expectation of not having to pay anything.
If there are no proper toilet facilities on board, then the vehicle must camp in a camping ground. The vans with toilet facilities must have the ‘‘extra tariff’’ removed if the toilets are used. One price charged, regardless.
Remember our dollar is half that of the pound and euro, a little less for the US dollar and about $1.10 to the Australian, so anyone coming here is already ahead financially.
It just might mean a backpacker will have to work a little longer at home before taking an overseas trip. This alone will instil more respect and appreciation for what they find on offer here.
I think, with these conditions, backpackers will still come, but they may decide to use more public transport, which in turn will make us feel a lot safer on our roads.
Carol Orbell
Wanaka