Flyers have been handed out in the Wynyard Quarter area by Auckland Transport, reminding campers of the restrictions. Auckland Council have also spoken to campers. Photo / Newstalk ZB
Flyers have been handed out in the Wynyard Quarter area by Auckland Transport, reminding campers of the restrictions. Auckland Council have also spoken to campers. Photo / Newstalk ZB
Freedom campers in central Auckland have been spoken to by the council which says it is concerned about the disruption camping may cause to the public.
Flyers have been handed out in the Wynyard Quarter area by Auckland Transport, reminding campers of the restrictions.
Auckland Council have also spoken tothe campers about alternative sites.
"The discussions we are having are very much focussed on people who are passing through with campervans or who are living there long-term in campervans and using this as an alternative to paid campsites," said Grant Barnes, general manager, licensing and compliance services.
"I want to be clear that this activity is not focussed on the more vulnerable people in our community who use this area as a place to stay, and have done for a number of years. Our community development and safety teams provide support and options to these individuals on a regular basis in partnership with agencies such as the City Mission, and will continue to do so along with finding alternative accommodation in time."
A council statement said freedom camping was "a long running issue in various places across Auckland" and the council regularly monitored it "for the safety of both the campers and the general public".
Last month, Auckland City Mission homeless outreach worker Charlotte Ama counted about 30 people living in cars and vans when she took the Herald on a guided tour of the old Tank Farm area on the waterfront.
John Nia John Nia, 64, was greeted by Ms Ama as "the mayor" of the Tank Farm because he has lived there for 12 years and has a white beard like his Taranaki ancestor Te Whiti.
Further round the foreshore, at Coxs Bay Reserve, there were two more vans. Sometimes there are up to 20.
About half of the people found at the two places were European tourists.
