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An $ 8 million plan to clean up free campgrounds around New Zealand will continue this summer, despite a lack of international tourists.
It appears that the Government expects New Zealand travelers to be as difficult as their international counterparts.
The camp fund responsible for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will provide 45 municipalities with a share of $ 8 million this summer. It was established in 2018 in response to growing concerns about overcrowded roadsides, runway effluent, and overflowing garbage containers.
A spokeswoman for MBIE said the Responsible Camp Task Force recommended continuing to fund councils this year despite New Zealand’s borders being closed to non-citizens and residents due to the coronavirus pandemic. The plan will aim to teach Kiwis how and where to camp responsibly.
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Stacy Squires / Stuff
Freedom campsite in Christchurch’s North Beach car park. More kiwis are expected to travel, and camp freely, this summer.
“With borders closed and lower levels of international travel, we expect to see more kiwis camping this summer … some of whom may not understand how and where to camp responsibly.”
The money would be spent on ambassador programs, education, monitoring and compliance, and service costs for waste management facilities and restrooms.
“[The funding] it is limited to operating costs only with a particular focus on locally employed ambassadors, who have been successful in previous years, “the spokeswoman said.
Iain McGregor / Stuff
The freedom of camping is prohibited in Punakaiki on the west coast.
The Buller District Council has used part of its $ 257,000 to employ eight ambassadors to regularly patrol the district from November through Easter weekend.
Sean Judd, director of regulatory services for the council, said the ambassadors would extend a “very warm welcome” to the campers.
They would patrol free camp access points in Punakaiki, Fox River, Westport, Granity, Karamea and Reefton to ensure that visitors “meet our expectations during their stay.”
“They will be given the necessary information on where the services they will need are while they are here,” he said.
“Since it will largely be New Zealanders traveling the country this summer, we would like to remind everyone that caring for our environment is something we all need to take responsibility for.”
Ambassadors would also encourage campers to do more and stay longer in the district.
Punakaiki Beach Camp Director Jed Findlay successfully led a campaign to ban free camps at the west coast tourist hotspot. His petition was signed by 95 percent of Punakaiki residents, who said they were fed up with the mess left by some freedom campers and that vans blocked access to the beach.
He said the Buller District Council ambassadors had done a great job educating freedom campers and moving visitors with non-self-driving vans.
He is pleased that funding continues this year, even without international tourists.
“The perception is that kiwis don’t make a mess, but I don’t know if that’s true, so it will be nice to have people out there checking and keeping things clean and safe from people who can’t control their mess.
“It is a win-win. It’s keeping people employed and keeping everyone in line, ”he said.
MARTIN DE RUYTER / Things
The site of the Freedom Campers on the Alexander Bluff Road Reservation near the Motueka River.
