When the Worm Turns

[nitpicker1]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65340364/freedom-camper-rebellion-in-christchurch

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=676076302508886&set=gm.819934551409940&type=1

[nitpicker1]

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Freedom campers' unruly antics rile residents

CHARLIE MITCHELL

Last updated 05:00, January 21 2015

A group of Christchurch residents are at war with their freedom camping neighbours, who they say are partying and defecating in a council-owned car park.

European short-stayers are making the most of freedom camping laws, occupying a car park on the corner of Beresford St and Union Rd in New Brighton.

Residents say up to 40 people at a time are using the space as an impromptu campground.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65246365/freedom-campers-unruly-antics-rile-residents

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Listen to more on Checkpoint ( 2 min 21 sec )
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/264177/council-considers-freedom-camper-options

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Freedom campers ignore signs in 'no-go' area

HELEN HILL

Last updated 05:00, January 22 2015

When Bob Radley took issue with a couple camping in a no-go zone at Robin Hood Bay, near Rarangi, they simply said they knew it was no camping and laughed.

They actually took the curtains out of their van and draped them over the 'No Camping' sign, Radley said.

On another evening, some Australians pulled the sign out of the ground and put it face down so it couldn't be seen. Radley said they replaced it before leaving. ...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65287515/freedom-campers-ignore-signs-in-nogo-area

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Driveway camping scheme hits hitches

Home » News » Queenstown Lakes

By Tracey Roxburgh on Wed, 21 Jan 2015
News: Queenstown Lakes

A businesswoman's initiative, which could address some freedom camping issues, might be stymied in the Queenstown area.
Queenstown Lakes District Council regulatory manager Lee Webster said anyone considering joining the ''My 5-Star Driveway'' scheme needed to be mindful of some of the district's rules, which could mean a driveway had to be listed as ''visitor accommodation'' or as a ''camping ground''.

My 5-Star Driveway Ltd marketing manager Rai Banbury, of Auckland, said the scheme, launched late last year, enabled property owners to register their driveway online as being available for camper van tourists to rent.  ...

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/330643/driveway-camping-scheme-hits-hitches


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Council considers freedom camper options

Updated at 7:33 pm on 21 January 2015
 

 
Campsites could be set up to solve problems associated with freedom camping, a Christchurch councillor says.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/264177/council-considers-freedom-camper-options

[nitpicker1]

slightly abbreviated, link updated:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=676076302508886&set=gm.819934551409940&type=1

                              

[nitpicker1]

http://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/freedom-campers-driven-from-new-brighton/&hl=en&geo=NZ

[nitpicker1]

Freedom campers taking over Wellington beach

TALIA CARLISLE

Last updated 16:44, February 5 2015

Owhiro Bay has turned into a camping ground and residents aren't happy.

Owhiro Bay Residents' Association member Sue Reid said a survey was run

from January 16 until 25 to gauge residents' levels of concern.

The results will be used to negotiate with the city council about what regulations

are needed. ...

read the rest and see the pics at
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/65831285/freedom-campers-taking-over-wellington-beach

[nitpicker1]

Tourists dodging $200 fine

Home » News » Queenstown Lakes


By Mark Price on Wed, 11 Feb 2015
News: Queenstown Lakes

 
Hundreds of overseas tourists caught freedom camping illegally in the Queenstown Lakes area are leaving the country without paying the $200 fine.

In the year to the end of January, a third of the 2642 tourists issued with infringement notices chose the no-payment option - costing the council revenue of about $176,000. ...


more here
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/332705/tourists-dodging-200-fine


Ummmm - will they be stopped at the border next time they try to come in again?

[nitpicker1]

Motorhome freedom beats baches    
 
Last updated 09:35 17/02/2015

LIVING THE DREAM: Life on the open road beats being confined to a bach, according to a new survey.
 

More than half of Marlburians would rather own a motorhome than a bach or holiday home, says a motorhome manufacturer.

An independent survey has revealed that 54 per cent of Marlborough respondents prefer the campervan dream over the bach or holiday home.

The online survey of more than 6000 New Zealanders was conducted by the RV Super Centre (seller of New Zealand manufactured motorhomes).

Fifty-nine people from Marlborough responded to the survey, which was designed to delve into the holidaying habits of New Zealanders. Of those surveyed 14 per cent already owned motorhomes.

The freedom to go and stay wherever they wanted was cited by 66 per cent of respondents as the main reason they would like to own a motorhome.

Eleven per cent said it was easier and more comfortable than camping. Others said it was cheaper than owning a bach.

NZ Motor Caravan Association Marlborough past chairman Kevin Addley said about 400 people belonged to the Marlborough branch.

"People used to buy baches, they were cheap, but now they're dear. In a motorhome you can change the scenery every day.

"We have some members who have sold their houses and that's now their home," he said. "They call themselves 'people of no abode'."

He was clear, however, that motorhomers were not freedom campers.

"Our association uses park-over properties which it owns, or some of our members own."

Addley had stayed in Motueka beside the RSA, and the Blenheim Bowling Club offered a similar parking space. These host organisations allowed the motorhomers to use their toilets at a small cost.

The survey results showed that for 54 per cent of people aged over 45, owning a motorhome was the preferred option over a nice car, boat or bach.

The survey also revealed that more than 70 per cent of Marlborough respondents would like to own a motorhome or caravan, mainly because of the freedom it would give them to go and stay wherever they wanted. They would most like to drive it to the Bay of Islands.
 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/66277413/Motorhome-freedom-beats-baches


So if batches (or cribs  and seaside motor camps are becoming developers' blocks while Mobile Homes and caravans are becoming permanent homes (which could perhaps be the unanticipated but unavoidable consequence of motor camps pricing themselves out of business by becoming Motor Parks with motels and prices to fit ...ummmm ) 

It seems to be a trending solution to Auckland's housing availiblity/affordablity crisis?



see http://xtranewscommunity2.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,14076.0.html

[nitpicker1]

Deco festival 'most amazing' in world

By Roger Moroney

1:41 PM Monday Feb 23, 2015

Visitor Malik Fernando did not realise how much punch the Tremains Art Deco Weekend packed.

"There is so much happening - so many different things going on and everyone is just so happy. How do you do that?" he asked organisers.
read the rest at
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11406471

Check out the editorial on Art Deco here: 

 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503459&objectid=11406353

then scroll on down to "View More" or go buy the paper


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YEAHBUT

Freedom campers clog up reserve

By Simon Hendery
8:37 AM Monday Feb 23, 2015

Concerns over freedom campers hogging Art Deco Weekend parking spots close to Napier's CBD - and turning a central reserve into a makeshift camp ground - will be reviewed by the council.

During Napier's busiest weekend of the year, when Art Deco event attendees struggled to find parking in the city, carparks in the nearby North Parade reserve, off Marine Parade, were packed out yesterday, predominantly with campervans, vans and station wagons.

The vehicles in the carpark, on the port side of Ocean Spa, were populated by visitors who had made the tree-lined reserve their home for the weekend so they could use its toilet block and outdoor showers. Some had set up tents and awnings. ...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11406287

read the story, see the pix

I read the story, saw the pix    ......

[nitpicker1]

Wicked campervan profanity raises furore    
 
 
  HEATHER SIMPSON   

Last updated 08:34 18/03/2015

A Wicked campervan parked at A&P Park in Blenheim which had sexually provocative comments painted on it has angered Councillor Jamie Arbuckle.
             
A campervan rental company that daubs sexually charged comments on their vehicles has copped criticism from an angered Blenheim councillor.

Wicked is a hire company marketed towards young travellers on a budget and is synonymous for its graffiti style artwork on its vans.

Councillor Jamie Arbuckle was taking his children to a softball game at Blenheim's A&P Park when he spotted a Wicked camper with profane, sexual language painted on three sides.

The R-18 language was so shocking, he refused to repeat it during a council debate on draft freedom camping rules in Marlborough on Tuesday.

A group of people were standing around the van reading the words and taking pictures, while children played nearby, Arbuckle said.

The occupants of the van were three young foreign tourists in their 20s.

"I was shocked what I was reading. I had to take my children away after they started reading it and repeated it back. It was totally inappropriate.

"If it is legal for a company to write what they want, I don't think it is appropriate for them to use sports fields for freedom camping."

Cr Jenny Andrews said if people didn't object, advertising would escalate to graphic images before long.

Cr Terry Sloan said social media had been awash with complaints about the campervan company's style of advertising.

Wicked were not involved in New Zealand's Responsible Freedom Camping Forum and had proved a "thorn in the side", Sloan said.

The New Zealand Advertising Standards Authority has dealt with 17 complaints about comments written on Wicked Campers since 2009. Eight complaints have been upheld.

Wicked Campers had a policy of not responding to complaints, the authority's complaints board said. An authority spokeswoman said dealing with vehicles meant they would have to be repainted which proved challenging to enforce.

Wicked Campers was Brisbane-based and didn't engage with or respect the principles of self-regulation, the spokeswoman said.

"Consumers could vote with their feet and fight back," she said, referring to 50,000 strong online petition in Australia that called Wicked's advertising "misogynistic and degrading".

Wicked Campers did not respond to queries from the Express.
 
     
 - The Marlborough Express

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/67430341/Wicked-campervan-profanity-raises-furore


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Freedom camping restricted

HEATHER SIMPSON
Last updated 08:32, March 18 2015

The freedom camping site at Collins Memorial Reserve on SH1 in Koromiko between Picton and Blenheim could be scrapped.
It follows a four-month summer trial which increased the number of restricted freedom camping sites in Marlborough.

At a meeting of the council's assets and services committee on Tuesday the council rubber stamped a draft plan where freedom camping is prohibited or restricted...

read the rest
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/67430347/Freedom-camping-restricted

[nitpicker1]

**maybe they eat too much junk food?**



Increase in waste from campers 

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

by Andrew Ashton



THE Gisborne district has less than half the capacity needed to deal with the amount of human waste generated by a huge rise in “freedom” camping here, a new report says.

A report was asked for after Gisborne District Council delayed adopting a draft freedom camping bylaw in October to give it time to investigate “all options” for summer camping and freedom camping — including cost recovery.

The report says camping, outside of commercial holiday parks, has increased 137 percent in the past 10 years but because the council does not generate enough income from summer camping permits, only 30 percent of service costs are recovered at present.

“There are also concerns that the council does not provide sufficient capacity for septage disposal. Average septage capacity needed per person per day is 1.5 litres and we currently provide 600ml.”

Although freedom camping costs are unable to be recovered, it could still recover costs associated with servicing its nine summer campgrounds.

The report recommends that the septage service should be increased at summer campgrounds and that a freedom camping bylaw be introduced to regulate camping outside summer campgrounds and holiday parks.

It also recommends that the existing “user pays” system continue.

Ratepayers should fund 30 percent of the system but permit fees should be increased so that 70 percent of costs are recovered.

The report says it would cost $20,800 a year to increase service provision across all nine summer campgrounds.

Gisborne District Council’s community development and services committee will consider the report on Wednesday.


http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/news/article/?id=40989

[nitpicker1]

[nitpicker1]

Hutt City


..."Freedom camping is against the rules in Hutt City Council-controlled parks and recreation areas, but in one car park at the western end of The Esplanade, some groups have been staying for weeks.
Recreational users said car parks were now few and far between, with up to 18 sets of campers at the site on some mornings.
On Tuesday, as Belmont couple Netta and Paul Cooper arrived to walk their dogs, the park was a mess.
READ MORE:  Freedom campers spark vigilante fears
The Coopers then ran into the local couple who are the long-term volunteers trying to keep the site's toilets clean.
"The guy was so furious I thought he would explode," Netta Cooper said.
"I would hate to have to pick up condoms, tampons and pregnancy test kits and other additional unsavoury mess, left behind in the toilet block by people who should feel very lucky to have these facilities available to them,  free of charge."
The pair were certain the mess came from the camping groups, rather than from other people who spent the day in the area. "People who come here to walk their dogs, everyone is getting totally pissed off."
The Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust owns the Honiana Te Puni Reserve land. But the park was managed by the Hutt City Council, chairman Neville Baker said.
The Coopers had contacted the council about the mess and access issues, but were told the area being trust-owned land made ejecting the campers more complicated. ..."

..."If people are freedom camping in a council-controlled area that isn't a designated camping ground, a council officer will ask them to move on. If they didn't move on, it would become a police matter."
Two male German students, who asked not to be named, said they had been camping in their car at The Esplanade for three weeks. They said some days the numbers of campers were high and the facilities were stretched.
They used the toilet and rubbish facilities at the reserve but tried to be respectful, they said. "We try our best to put rubbish in the bins and keep everything clean."
The popularity of the spot with other freedom campers drew the students to the parking area. The pair had been asked by council officers to move on at other areas but had not been approached while at The Esplanade site. "It's a nice spot. It's lovely here."
NZ Motor Caravan Association chief executive Bruce Lochore said social media often played a role in a freedom camping spot suddenly becoming popular.
"They're very savvy in that respect, and get on there and talk to each other pretty quickly."
Lochore said of all freedom campers, only a minority were irresponsible and did it on the cheap, not providing their own toilet, cleaning and cooking facilities.
"There's a big, big number of people who do responsibly freedom camp."
He said many low-cost campgrounds were still available across New Zealand, with fees as little as $5 a night.
 - Stuff


http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/75503629/Petone-locals-appalled-at-unsavoury-mess-left-by-freedom-campers