Camping in New Zealand

Camping in New Zealand is a popular activity for both New Zealand residents and for some of the two million foreign tourists arriving every year.

__TOC__Camp sites of varying standards are offered by holiday park operators throughout New Zealand. The Department of Conservation, which administers one third of the land area of New Zealand, operate 250 vehicle accessible campsites on public land. [cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/ByRegionLanding.aspx?id=37039|title=Conservation campsites by region|publisher=Department of Conservation|accessdate=2008-08-29] The facilities at these campsites varies from those with only a basic toilet to those that have the full range of camp ground amenities.

The largest organisation representing motorised campers is the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association. It was founded in 1956 and currently represents 33,000 owners of a fleet of 18,000 camper vans. [cite web|url=http://www.nzmca.org.nz/index.php?id=20|title=History|publisher=New Zealand Motor Caravan Association|accessdate=2008-08-29]

The thermette, a type of storm kettle, was a popular camping accessory before the advent of gas fired camping stoves.

Popular campsites during the summer holidays include the Mavora Lakes, Kaiteriteri Beach, Marahau and the Coromandel Peninsula. The summer holiday period, which is over Christmas and New Year, coincides with the peak of inbound tourists leading to high levels of crowding at popular locations.

Camping grounds are governed by the Camping-Grounds Regulations 1985. [cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1985/0261/latest/DLM103332.html|title=Camping-Grounds Regulations 1985|publisher=New Zealand Government|accessdate=2008-08-29]

Freedom camping

Freedom camping, where camping is done in a location without facilities and is not a designated camp ground, is allowed in certain areas of New Zealand under certain conditions. Limitations have been put in place in recent decades because of litter and human waste problems, and attempts to encourage payment for camping by directing tourists to commercial facilities.

Environmental effects

There has been a realisation that freedom camping, where campers a choose to camp in areas without facilities, is creating problems though the incorrect disposal of human waste. There are also reports of the discharge of greywater from campervans while parked on suburban streets. Campers using self contained camper vans are also disposing of human waste incorrectly by not using the dump stations supplied for this purpose.cite book|author=Anon|title=Freedom camping: the problem of human waste disposal|publisher=Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand)|date=January 1988|isbn=0-477-05834-5|accessdate=2008-08-26]

The causes of the problem relating to freedom camping have been stated as:
*lack of toilets
*disposal from campervan toilets
*increased number of freedom campers
*Poor level of knowledge by the campers about the issue
*inconsistent application and enforcement of the laws and regulations by government agencies
*remoteness of the area

ee also

*Tramping in New Zealand
*Tourism in New Zealand

References

External links

* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/ByRegionLanding.aspx?id=37039 Department of Conservation] - Conservation campsites by region
* [http://www.nzmca.org.nz/ New Zealand Motor Caravan Association]
* [http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/ New Zealand camping guide]
*Freedom camping
** [http://www.gdc.govt.nz/Services/FreedomCamping Gisbourne District Council] - Freedom Camping
** [http://www.westlanddc.govt.nz/index.cfm/1,246,0,0,html/Proposed-Freedom-Camping-Policy Westland District Council] - Freedom camping policy
** [http://www.cluthadc.govt.nz/Web%20Pages/Your%20Council/Council%20Policies/Freedom%20Camping.pdf Clutha District Council] - Policy on Freedom Camping
** [http://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/ParksandReserves/freedomcamping.aspx Southland District Council] - Freedom Camping