NZ Government pitches new ‘right vehicle, right place’ camping rules
Fresh fully funded approach taken to ease community concerns
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) sees the $10 million government funding allocated to manage ongoing issues with freedom campers and introduce new campervan regulations as moving in the right direction.
The TIA comment follows Tourism Minister, Stuart Nash’s announcement he will introduce new legislation next year aimed at restricting a new regulatory system introduced to certify vehicles as self-contained and an increase in fines.
TIA chief executive, Chris Roberts who is a member of the Responsible Camping Working Group working with government to address public concerns since 2018 said the ‘right vehicle, right place’ approach being adopted has the potential to correct many of the issues New Zealanders are concerned about.
“Visitors who camp in a vehicle are a relatively small but important sector of New Zealand’s tourism industry. The bad behaviour of a small minority has tended to overshadow the fact that the vast majority of campers do the right thing and make a valuable contribution. Having clearer rules and guidelines will help,” he said.
“International campers travel widely through the country and tend to stay a long time, saving on accommodation costs but spending money on a wide range of goods and activities. We also know that many New Zealanders enjoy the privilege of freedom camping and these proposals acknowledge that.”
Holiday Parks New Zealand Chief Executive Fergus Brown says the proposed rule changes make sense and will benefit the holiday park sector.
“The ‘right vehicle, right place’ approach is sensible. Holiday parks provide a range of options for all camping styles and budgets, and we are pleased that the Minister has noted the important role our businesses play,” Mr Brown says.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
