Freedom camping rules revisited

Town boundary maps could be used to make it easier for freedom campers in South Taranaki to see where they are allowed to stop.

The move would also save money on signage, a group of district councillors has been told.

The South Taranaki District Council is reviewing its freedom camping bylaw for the first time since 2017. At yesterday’s policy and strategy committee meeting, councillors were asked to review the proposed plan before public consultation began.

Using town boundary maps would create a boundary around towns in the district and freedom camping would be prohibited within those borders, except for the areas where it was permitted, a report by senior policy adviser Anne Sattler said.

Under the proposal, freedom camping would be banned in parks, cemeteries, playgrounds and some other areas.

It also makes allowance for people to sleep in tents, as well as vehicles, in areas where this is suitable.

Councillor Celine Filbee said freedom camping was to be encouraged as it brought people into the district.

However, she questioned what effect the revised bylaw would have on people living longer term in vehicles such as buses who parked up on the road reserve.

The council’s acting chief executive, Rob Haveswood, said a person who was living in their vehicle because they had no other residence would be treated as homeless under the bylaw.

However, if living in a bus was a choice, they would be considered a freedom camper and could be asked to move on.

Drivers were permitted to park and rest, so someone “sleeping it off” in their car after a party, instead of driving home, would be acceptable, he said.

Councillor Tuteri Rangihaeata asked how the bylaw would affect the thousands of people expected in South Taranaki next year for Te Matatini, the world’s largest kapa haka festival being held in New Plymouth. The event will run from February 25 to March 1 at the Bowl of Brooklands in Pukekura Park and is expected to inject up to $20 million into the region’s coffers.

Haveswood said Hicks Park in Hāwera would be opened up for camping, and buses would be provided to transport festivalgoers to the event.

“I’m sure we will be very enabling,” councillor and meeting chairperson Rob Northcott said.