Posted:

Raggy says: 

The freedom campers tag is unfair.
Myself and my now wife arrived in Queenstown five years ago as freedom campers staying only two nights outside of town before moving into a campground.
Whilst we were travelling round NZ we always very mindful of litter and where we camped as was the rest of our three-van convoy. We never left anything behind except footprints.
Since then I have found the people who have the least respect for the outdoor areas that we have camped in are in fact Kiwis throwing every beer bottle they drink in a bush and I even woke up one morning from camping in Moke Lake and a Kiwi bloke with our group had taken a dump behind his van when the toilet was less than 15 feet away.
I accept that some campers are giving the rest a bad name but a lot of the problem comes from your own doorstep.

Kermit says:

In response to the article regarding freedom campers, and as a visitor to New Zealand for three months, I feel the need to respond to the accusations levied on all freedom campers. I travel with two other companions in a small caravan, and primarily we stay in DoC campsites or holiday parks, and we have certainly cleaned up more mess than we have left. It’s apparent that freedom campers are taking the brunt of the blame for the actions of a few, and certainly some of the rubbish found is the result freedom campers, as well as residents. The articles appear to lay blame at the feet of backpackers from many countries that come to NZ and virtually pour money within its boundaries, while doing agricultural work most Kiwis choose not to do themselves. The “tough on freedom campers” message proposed during the last two weeks of Mountain Scene seems a bit shortsighted, and narrow-minded for a region that depends on encouraging people to visit, spend money, and then leave. It seems a small price to pay to provide a few toilets in select locations, rather than a blanket policy of no freedom camping. 

Toni G says:

Freedom campers fall into four categories. One – retired campervan owners, generally Kiwis. These guys should not be targeted in any way, as far as I’ve experienced they have love and respect for the land and just want to explore in their retirement. They generally have a DoC camp pass as part of the camping and caravanning association. Two – large commerical vans (road snails). These guys are more of a P in the A on the road than off. They tend to stay a lot in motels and hotels as well as use the van and are worthwhile to the NZ tourism dollar. Three – small commerical vans. These guys are generally young, trying to save as much money as possible and are either not well-informed by the rental companies, or choose to avoid the cost of campsites. Small campervans should be under the same sort of WOF as an accommodation provider needs for a building WOF and this should be part of registration. In addition to further encourage good responsible behaviour why not ping them for a DoC campsite pass as part of registration. This is not currently available unless the owner is a member of the camping and caravanning association, though come on DoC – how about opening it up further. Four – very cheap backpacker vans. These are generally borderline roadworthy, marginally sleep-worthy and the chosen transport for your bottom dwellers coming to NZ to spend just $40 per day on everything! We need to lose the bottom dwellers and the only way I can think of is to dish out instant fines. Saving our precious environment for a $100 instant fine or a wheel clamp till you can fund it, is a great idea. 

Letter:

DURING our 10-week stay, we’ll have spent more than $10,000. Our expenses have included fuel taxes, food in markets, cafes, and restaurants plus accommodation in hotels, campgrounds, huts, and tent sites. We’ve spent money on cruises, gifts and tours. We pack our litter when camping and pick up trash we find. 

We have enjoyed being close to nature and have especially enjoyed at least 10 nights on remote roads, where we have had the freedom of parking near a pristine river, lake or seaside at no cost. Camping of all kinds brings most of us closer to nature, thus respecting her fragility, and ultimately becoming better stewards. 

In 1989, I hitchhiked to Alaska and camped for free in parks and beaches. I fell in love with Alaska and stayed 21 years. Most of these years I have been working in the non-profit sector working on environmental issues.
There are few places in the world where one does not have to pay to see nature at every turn. I hope that NZ remains one of these places. 

And it’s unfair to paint an image of “European freedom campers”, by doing an article on two individuals.
I wonder how many Queenstown residents arrived as “freedom campers”, fell in love with Queenstown and stayed. It appears that the doors of paradise are being closed only for a wealthy few to enter, while those living simply in vans are demonised. 

I witnessed the girls in the article hanging their laundry and was equally disturbed and observed a police officer drive by, stop and say nothing. Use your existing laws instead of creating new laws. Public nuisance or disturbance laws will apply. Local police should not only ticket those that are violating city ordinances, but they can ask the people to leave. 

Please ensure the fines that are established don’t exceed the tickets that are given to those that endanger the lives of others by speeding. 

Rob Rosenfeld,
Homer, Alaska