Hunt is on for new camping sites
A growing number of retirees taking up touring in motor homes is helping drive demand for a declining number of sites.
More than 100 members of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association from Canterbury, Nelson, West Coast and South Canterbury met in Marlborough over Labour Weekend to swap war stories and discuss challenges ahead.
Association president Bruce Stanger said the body was searching for more sites for motor caravan owners across New Zealand.
The national body already owned or leased 32 sites around the country but were keen to acquire more. ’’We’re desperate … to secure more land,’’ Stanger said.
Auckland in particular was feeling the pressure as vacant land was rapidly redeveloped into residential housing, he said.
National membership had risen to more than 60,000 as freedom camping became more popular among retirees, he said. This number included more than 40,000 vehicles.
Sites were available to all members at $3 a night per person.
‘‘If you put us together we would be in the top 10 population size of the biggest cities in the country. We’re really a city on wheels.’’
Stanger said freedom camping had become a lifestyle for many. ’’They’re living the dream as retirees have become more active and many combine their destination to ride nearby cycle trails and see the country for example.’’
Families were also increasingly turning to motor homes with fewer owning or having access to baches, he said.
Motor home travellers contributed to the local economy, either buying groceries, or having mechanical repair work, he said.
The association was now working with local councils to build a network of sites to either lease or buy for its members. The sites needed to be open long hours for weary travellers arriving after dark, close to shopping areas and large enough to allow parking for up to 100 vehicles.
Above all neighbouring properties, in residential areas, should not be inconvenienced, he said.
Stanger said association members had to be self-sufficient for several days and have toilet and grey water disposal.
However, he did not want to criticise those freedom camping in non-self-contained vehicles. ’’You have some people who … are responsible with their rubbish disposal and have parked near facilities.
‘‘It is the groups that are not responsible that can cause a few problems.’’
"If you put us together we would be in the top 10 population size of the biggest cities in the country. We're really a city on wheels." Motor Caravan Association president Bruce Stanger