Have your say about sustainable freedom camping

Four Freedom Camping proposals for consideration

The Government has four proposals for the public to consider and are asking for feedback from the public by May 16th, 2021. On the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE) website there are several supporting documents, reports, and factsheets for the public to review.

Four proposals for consideration

The four proposals are:

Proposal 1: Make it mandatory for freedom camping in a vehicle to be done in a certified self-contained vehicle.

   OR

Proposal 2: Make it mandatory for freedom campers to stay in a vehicle that is certified self-contained unless they are staying at a site with toilets.

   PLUS

Proposal 3: Improve regulatory tools for government land managers:

• Regulatory system for self-contained vehicles
• Stronger infringement scheme.

   PLUS

Proposal 4: Strengthen the requirements for self-contained vehicles:

• What types of toilets are suitable?
• What types of vehicles are suitable?

How do I find out more information or make a submission?

The public can find out more, ask questions and make submissions:

• online via a survey
• email a word document to: responsiblecamping@mbie.govt.nz
• in writing to:
  Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  15 Stout Street
  PO Box 1473
  Wellington 6140
  Attention: Responsible Camping Submissions

Freedom Camping on the Coromandel Peninsula

Approximately 127,000 nights of freedom camping occurred on the Coromandel Peninsula during 2019, the most popular North Island spot. This was closely followed by Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty according to a Fresh Info report prepared for the MBIE in April 2020.

The Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) is currently reviewing the Freedom Camping Bylaw for the Coromandel Peninsula. The consultation period on their review has recently closed. The updated bylaw is scheduled to be adopted in June 2021.