Group to tackle freedom camping issues

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult (left) and Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan. Photo / Supplied

Two Otago mayors are leading the charge to tackle freedom camping issues in New Zealand.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult and Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan were named as members of the Government's freedom camping working group that will develop solutions to freedom camping issues.

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced the nine members of the group, made up of people from across local government, industry and central government agencies.

"The issues around freedom camping are complex and require a well-considered response. What works for one council and community doesn't necessarily work for others."

"I expect the working group's recommendations to cover practical actions we can take to support councils ahead of the 2018-19 peak season, as well as any policy or regulatory changes to the freedom camping system that might be required over the longer term," Mr Davis said.

Mr Boult and Mr Cadogan are two of three local government representatives on the group, and Mr Boult believed he and his Central Otago counterpart could be "pretty instrumental" and it "means we have a lot of influence".

He said his council had a "pretty good idea" about how the Queenstown Lakes community felt about freedom campers following a district-wide survey, and hoped to "bring a pragmatic and realistic approach to the table" while on the working group.

The group is expected to have its first meeting by May 4 and to report to Mr Davis by July 31.

Working group terms of reference

Purpose: To make recommendations to the Government on changes to the way freedom camping is managed in New Zealand to reduce its environmental and other impacts.

To recommend: Practical, short-term actions for providing support for councils before the 2018-19 peak season, as well as long-term.

Focus: Limited to matters related to freedom camping (wider issues in the tourism sector are outside its scope).

Make-up: Three local government representatives; three central Government senior leaders, from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Department of Internal Affairs and Department of Conservation; three representatives of tourism industry and freedom campers.

Timeframe: Report to tourism minister no later than July 31.