Wilkinson Kate: Freedom Camping Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Wilkinson Kate: Freedom Camping Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:675;Page:20683] 
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 I move  
That the Freedom Camping Bill be now read a third time 
. Freedom camping is a valued tradition in New Zealand as we have heard and this Government wants to ensure that it stays that way. It is unfortunate that we need this bill but we do. We want freedom camping to continue and for that to happen it needs to be managed before communities lose their patience. We are an outdoors destination the land is the cornerstone of our identity and we have always welcomed tourists who want to share in its grandeur. We want to retain our natural beauty and not to see our most pristine spots degraded by human waste and rubbish. 
This bill is about protecting our environment and our reputation. It allows local authorities and the Department of Conservation to better protect our most popular tourism destinations so that everyone can enjoy them. The presumption is that people can camp unless a location is specifically restricted. Councils cannot issue blanket bans across their districts as some have claimed. This bill is purposely pro-camping as we recognise that the majority of freedom campers are responsible and take great care to clean up after themselves. But where freedom camping is causing very real issues councils and the Department of Conservation now have the tools to act. The introduction of an instant fine is simple: if someone is caught camping where they are specifically prohibited from doing so then they can be subject to a fine. At the moment if a prosecution is undertaken it costs the ratepayer or the taxpayer over $10000. It is far more efficient and effective to simply have the tool of an instant fine than to have the matter drag through the courts. 
The genesis of this bill is a case study undertaken in collaboration between private industry local government and central government. In December 2007 the Tourism Industry Association established a forum aimed at better management of vehicle-based freedom camping. It has become known as the New Zealand Responsible Camping Forum. Its members are made up of all the relevant industry bodies and Government agencies. The forum succeeded in achieving a unified stance on how best to manage freedom camping with a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory tools. The members of the forum have and will continue to develop and distribute excellent communication and education materials including print news media and standard signage. 
In its submission to the Local Government and Environment Committee the Tourism Industry Association noted that all members of the forum agreed that some degree of enforcement is required to enhance their non-regulatory approaches in order to help campers to take responsibility for the care and guardianship of the environment and our communities. It pointed out that the forum has been under increasing pressure to help establish a nationally consistent enforcement regime that can be used to fine campers who deliberately camp in places or in ways that are not tolerable for communities. It was felt that this would act primarily as a deterrent while providing a tool for land managers when deemed absolutely necessary. Used wisely a nationally consistent enforcement regime will support the information-based approach and help to remove community tension that has grown from a sense of powerlessness when campers have ignored local advice and direction. 
The Minister of Local Government the Minister for the Environment and I in my role as the Minister of Conservation have worked together to respond to the needs identified by the forum the wider community our tourism sector and the needs of our environment. This bill is a result of that collaboration. 
I again thank the select committee for its fine work to ensure that measures intended to address the worst excesses of freedom camping did not undermine freedom camping as a valued Kiwi tradition. As we have always said this Government is committed to ensuring this tradition continues to be available to those who camp responsibly. We are committed to ensuring that local councils and the Department of Conservation are able to address problems where they have arisen. 
The Tourism Industry Association stated: “Forum members have been unanimous in their belief that strong clear and targeted camping information is the cornerstone for achieving responsible camping practices in New Zealand. The strongest long-term gains will come from developing a culture of environmental care underpinned by national and local visitor-friendly information”. I agree with these views. The tools provided through this bill are additions to not replacements for the broad range of tools that are needed to encourage responsible freedom camping. My department and local authorities will use the enforcement tools only when there are real issues and when these tools are the most appropriate and proportionate way of dealing with them. I encourage camping and I look forward to a future where communities secure in the knowledge that freedom campers will camp responsibly happily roll out the welcome mat. I commend this bill to the House.