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Cynthia McConville/Nelson Mail
“Someone with heavy machinery” took protecting Taupata Gravel Reserve from freedom campers into their own hands over the summer period. The TDC will try to find those responsible to have them remove the blockage.
Birdwatchers were taken aback to discover Taupata Reserve blocked off by a mound of dirt, presumably to stop freedom campers using the gravel reserve. Taupata Gravel Reserve in the Tasman District was removed from advertising as a freedom camping area in December, but the hearing panel making the decision noted that as a roading reserve it was not possible to ban self-contained vehicles from the area entirely.
Representational image.
Photo: RNZ
However one long-time freedom camper is worried low-income Kiwi families will soon be shut out of some of the country s most picturesque locations.
In November, Tourism Minister Stuart Nash announced plans to ban renting vans to tourists unless there is a toilet on board.
It follows years of poor behaviour by freedom campers, many young international tourists, who bought or hired cheap vans that did not have toilets, leaving behind their mess for councils and residents to clean up.
In 2018, the Responsible Camping Working Group was set up after protesters began blocking off parking sites, taking car keys off visitors and complaining en masse to local government.
Press Release – Responsible Campers Association This year much has been published about NZStandard for self containment of Motor-Caravans & Caravans – NZS;5465. The NZStandard focuses on the facilities in an RV and is often considered out-of-date by many. After a year long investigation …
This year much has been published about NZStandard for self containment of Motor-Caravans & Caravans – NZS;5465. The NZStandard focuses on the facilities in an RV and is often considered out-of-date by many.
After a year long investigation involving many Government Departments, it has been concluded by Responsible Campers Association that the NZStandard was never developed to have any legal status. If it had been the intention to have legal status, the Standard would have had legal oversight during development and be currently cited in an Act or Designated legislation which it is not. To have legal status a NZStandard must have a regulatory body, usually an industry representative (ie
After a year long investigation
involving many Government Departments, it has been concluded
by Responsible Campers Association that the NZStandard was
never developed to have any legal status. If it had been the
intention to have legal status, the Standard would have had
legal oversight during development and be currently cited in
an Act or Designated legislation which it is not. To have
legal status a NZStandard must have a regulatory body,
usually an industry representative (ie Plumbers, Gas-fitters
& Drain-layers Association) or Govt Dept, also required
is a Government Minister to oversee it.
Since the
establishment of the Freedom Camping Act in 2011, the sole