"In a completely empty car park."
They said they had been very careful to park only in designated spots or campsites throughout their fortnight in New Zealand so far.
"It is always a challenge to strike a balance between the concerns of residents in the Perfume Pt area and the expectations of visitors and we endeavour to do our best in this regard, always," a Napier City Council spokesperson said.
"This is the first time that we can recall having experienced this type of vitriol from a visitor - and it's unfortunate that the Perrys have chosen to form and share a negative opinion on Napier based on something that was, in essence, their own mistake.
"We have four clearly marked freedom camping sites at Perfume Pt and very clear signage explaining the regulations."
The spokesperson said the Perrys arrived at a busy time for Perfume Pt - and all four sites were occupied, not by cars, as Mr Perry believed, but by marked self-contained vans.
The Perrys said they were not impressed by what had happened.
"We spent a fortune on a proper self-contained camper and [have] done our best to respect the countryside - I get that New Zealand has a problem with some types of travellers' vans but is this the way to deal with it?"
Mr Perry said it appeared the traffic warden had been unable to tell the difference between a "gypsy traveller" and a genuine campervan tourer.
"Having detoured to see Napier we spent a lovely evening on the marina, nice meal and strolled home - planning a couple of days exploring the region before the next test."
They said they had experienced "fantastic warmth and genuine hospitality from everywhere in New Zealand and an opening of arms for what was a historic tour".
"Not in Napier," Mr Perry said.
"I shall move on now and do my best to tell the 20,000 Lions fans heading this way to avoid Napier."
Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said she was disappointed to hear comments like that.
"It's not what we want to hear." But she said people did have to be wary and careful of where they chose to park, and said there were many sites, such as the Kennedy Park Resort, that catered for campervans.
She also offered a "come and see us" invitation to the couple while they were in Wellington because Hawke's Bay Tourism was setting up a giant "Taste Hawke's Bay" show at the waterfront Geodome tomorrow."If we spot them there'll be some free pizza."
The expo would run all day and was aimed at attracting Lions fans to take State Highway 2 up through the classic wine trail through to Hawke's Bay on the journey back to Auckland. The expo would feature displays including more than a dozen farmers' market produce stallholders, coffee providers, wineries and cycle trail operators.
The Napier City Council would also have a stand showing attractions in the city.
Ms Dundas said there would be a string of special deals for Lions fans.
"There is going to be plenty happening and I think we are definitely going to see a lot of Lions fans coming through here as a result of it."
Tourism teams would also take to Wellington streets on the day passing out flyers to Lions fans as well as Wellingtonians.
"Napier City Council warmly welcomes all Lions fans and if any need advice on where to park their self-contained vehicle, we encourage them to call us on 835 7579 and we can help them out," the council spokesperson said.
"There is room for everybody in Napier."
