Government eyes freedom camping

New Plymouth’s mayor has welcomed government moves to tackle the nationwide problems caused by freedom camping.

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis has invited 22 mayors, including New Plymouth’s Neil Holdom, to a meeting in March to discuss the situation.

There has been a number of complaints about noise, litter, human waste, overcrowding, and blocked access to public spaces caused by people camping out on sites without proper facilities, such as the Waiwhakaiho River mouth and other locations around the country.

The situation in parts of New Plymouth led to so many complaints that earlier this week the district council temporarily banned freedom camping at Waiwhakaiho and restricted numbers at the East End Beach, Wind Wand and Kawaroa car parks.

The decision reversed a policy adopted just a month previously.

In a statement, Holdom said the council would be actively involved in the government discussions ‘‘to find a way to welcome freedom campers while ensuring they are not putting too much pressure on facilities in our most beautiful places.

‘‘We’ve already taken steps this week to protect local access and the environment in New Plymouth. We need a workable and long-term solution.’’

Davis warned there would not be a quick way of dealing with freedom camping.

‘‘The issues are complex and there’s no easy fix, so central and local government need to take a collaborative approach and find solutions that will work for everyone,’’ he said. ‘‘For tourism to continue growing in New Zealand and remain successful over the longer term, we need to listen to our communities and get this right.’’

Davis said the meeting would be an opportunity to address some of the issues before next summer.

He was interested in finding out more about how freedom camping was managed across New Zealand, where the pressure points were across the country, ‘‘as well as what is and isn’t working under the current regime’’.

Davis said he also wanted to take a broader look at the place of freedom camping because, over the last decade, the number of international visitors doing at least some freedom camping during their stay had risen from about 30,000 to 115,000 annually.

This was in addition to the many Kiwis who freedom camped, such as trampers, cyclists, hunters, surfers, seasonal workers and the 70,000 members of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association.

Last month the New Plymouth District Council adopted a Freedom Camping Bylaw allowing campers to stay at any local authority area with the exception of three sites - the bottom car park at Back Beach and the beach fronts at Fitzroy and Oakura beaches.

But after being surprised by the number of freedom campers on Tuesday the council imposed the temporary ban and restrictions.

These will be reviewed in April.