Freedom camping row

What should we do about freedom camping?

Freedom campers flocking to New Zealand shores have been causing headaches at popular tourist spots.

In the south, tensions have boiled over into verbal conflict at Akaroa's boat ramp. Up to 20 campervans have been parking up by the ramp, clogging up the car park and creating chaos when boaties want to launch early in the morning.

In nearby Duvauchelle, freedom campers had been parking outside the campground - and using their facilities, Akaroa-Wairewa Community Board chairwoman Pam Richardson said.

On the West Coast, the Grey District Council's freedom camping officer has been slapping fines on up to 10 freedom campers a night, most in Cobden.

Richardson said there had been "an explosion" of freedom campers flocking to Banks Peninsula this summer, also affecting French Farm, Wainui and Catons Bay near Little River. The tensions between boaties and freedom campers at the Akaroa boat ramp had so far played out verbally, but there was concern it could turn physical, Richardson said.

There were responsible campers, such as those in the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association, but many others were not.

Human faeces had been discovered in flax bushes near the Duvauchelle Hotel, she said.

Akaroa Jet owner/operator Brett Fea said he was not bothered by the freedom campers, although on one occasion he was unable to park his trailer in the boat ramp car park because of them.

"There are 15 campervans any night of the week. All sitting outside, having breakfast, cooking, pots and pans everywhere."

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Freedom camping row