Freedom camping
In recent years the Tasman District, and Motueka and Golden Bay in particular, has been troubled by the adverse outcomes of freedom camping, as have many other tourist areas of New Zealand. This relates to people camping in unregulated areas, often with no self-contained toilet and cooking facilities, and having no qualms about polluting the environment. The comments below relate to discussion and actions being considered by the Board to solve this problem.
[February 2010] Keep Motueka Beautiful member Bob Cooke presented a report and recommendation (as an individual) to the Community Board advocating a regulated approach. See the Discussion Forum »
[March 2010] Motueka High School's Social Studies Issues class (coordinated by teacher Bruce Reid) presented their survey of resident opinions to the Board. Read it here »
[March 2010] The Community Board asked Council to reconsider its negative position on addressing the issue, and that officials prepare basic costings and determine minimum requirements for accommodating non-self contained vehicles "camping" in contolled places. Read it here »
[April 2010] The New Zealand Freedom Camping Forum published its policy to the effect that people hiring non-self-contained vehicles should be instructed not to freedom camp, but rather be directed to designated camping areas, like holiday parks, DOC camp sites and other designated camping spaces. Read about it here »
[May 2010] South Island councils affected by freedom campering problems decided to urge central government to address the issue directly. Tasman mayor Richard Kempthorne asked that while this work was being pushed, community boards should hold fire on related requests for facilities such as new toilets until government said what would be done. More details here »
[July 2010] David Ogilvie responded to this new waiting policy with a letter expressing the board's preference to have the matter of providing a low-cost facility for freedom campers at Beach Reserve investigated right now. The board endorsed the letter, and pointed out that bylaws in themselves will not stop the problem if there are no actual facilities for freedom campers provided at the same time. Nothing will be in place regarding any bylaws by this summer, so the problem remains unresolved for another year. There will be a meeting in Nelson on July 26 to discuss the issue further.
[December 2010] The Community Board voted to write to the government and all MPs representing Tasman District expressing concern at the lack of progress in introducing a nationwide bylaw to address freedom camping.
[February 9 2010] The Environment and Planning Committee of TDC had reported that a model bylaw for all of New Zealand is now unlikely, but improved infringement powers would be made for those districts with bylaws in place. TDC is investigating what the other neighbouring councils are doing and hope to work with them on wording of a "Top of the South" bylaw for freedom camping.
[March 13 2010] TDC published a draft bylaw for consultation and ratification on May 31st, aimed at addressing the problem, along with extensive discussion of both the problem and the difficulties in enforcing a solution. More details here »
[April 28 2010] TDC passed a bylaw stating that only vehicles with self-contained toilet and wastewater systems will be allowed to camp in the district's open spaces. It will come into effect on May 31st. More details here »
