The Government’s plans to manage freedom camping have the support of the holiday park sector.
“It’s great that Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis has decided to put resources into finding both short and long-term solutions for this problem. We are looking forward to being part of the process,” Holiday Parks New Zealand President David Aflallo said.
“The holiday park sector has always supported free camping in the right place and in the right vehicles. But we need measures to ensure free camping sites aren’t established in areas where they directly compete with local holiday parks,”
In particular, holiday parks have responded positively to the Government’s long-term solutions, and look forward to the possibility of a review of the Freedom Camping Act and the Camping-Grounds Regulations 1985, as recommended by the Responsible Camping Working Group. Short-term, the government is looking to fund infrastructure, enforcement and education this summer.
“We need a national solution that ensures that visitors know where they can and can’t free camp. Important considerations will be the impact on the environment; the health and safety of free campers, other visitors and residents; and the quality of the visitor experience for both the free campers and other visitors.”
