Freedom camping controls set out in new bylaw

Two South Wairarapa coastal sites likely will be given the green light to allow freedom camping in coming seasons – provided they meet strict criteria which include a vehicle with a “permanently fixed” toilet. 

But the newly-adopted South Wairarapa District Council bylaw will prohibit freedom camping along most stretches of coastline and in central town locations, and restrict it in other locations. 

The two possible freedom camping areas – expanded sections of Ngawi Reserve and Ngawi Surf Breaks – have been identified after some 24 sites across the council’s territory were assessed by officials on a detailed numerical scale for their potential to accommodate freedom campers.

“It is … recommended to extend the designated camping areas at Ngawi Reserve and at Ngawi Surf Breaks,” the officials told councillors, but with several extra conditions covering signage and new maps to detail the areas involved. 

The report notes as there is “no clearly delineated boundary” between the current (Surf Breaks) reserve and the Ngawi Hitaround golf course, it “may create tension between golfers and campers as well as present a safety risk.”

Expansion to the north of the reserve was therefore recommended, as “freedom campers currently overflow into this area and expansion would formalise current practice.

“If elected members support formalising the expansion of this area within the Bylaw, maps will require updating … to reflect this expansion.”  

At Ngawi Reserve, staff proposed an expansion to the south, within the current reserve boundary.

“Freedom campers using vehicles currently overflow onto this area and expansion would formalise current practice,” they reported.  

The report noted that both proposals do “not constitute a significant change to the overall camping policy for these reserves,” and “as this change has been subject to public consultation through this Bylaw’s development process and does not constitute a significant change to the overall camping policy for the reserves … (it) will not trigger any additional consultation requirements.” 

Of the 24 areas assessed for freedom camping across South Wairarapa, just six were seen as potential sites, but at two of those the land is subject to Treaty settlements.

Only five of the 24 areas were not classified as prohibited or restricted for freedom camping. Of the five, just two – Ngawi Reserve and Ngawi Surf Breaks  – can accommodate freedom campers who meet the criteria, which include that any vehicle must have a fixed toilet. 

The report explained: “For the avoidance of doubt, the standard requires that a self-contained vehicle be equipped with a toilet that is permanently fixed to the vehicle.”

The legal definition of freedom camping does not include the following activities: temporary and short-term parking of a motor vehicle: recreational activities commonly known as day-trip excursions: resting or sleeping at the roadside in a motor vehicle to avoid driver fatigue. 

The report classified open public spaces in South Wairarapa as follows:

Prohibited Areas for Freedom Camping:

Martinborough Square Reserve; Clifford Square Reserve, Featherston; Ōtauira Reserve, Featherston; Fitzherbert Street, Featherston; Hastwell Street Carpark, Greytown; Main Street, Greytown; Cape Palliser Coast (25 kilometers of coastline area); Tora-Te Awaiti Coast

Restricted Areas for Freedom Camping: 

Featherston Township; Greytown Township; Martinborough Township; Fell Museum Carpark, Featherston.

Restricted coastal area – non self-contained vehicles (vehicles with no fixed toilet):

Te Awaiti Reserve; North Tora Reserve; South Tora Reserve; White Rock; Ngawi Reserve; 

Ngawi Surf Breaks; Lake Domain Reserve. 

The council has won funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to   develop and implement a freedom camping Ambassador Programme. This will enable community members to help monitor and enforce the strategy. The bylaw is expected to come into force later this year.