8. Question No. 8—TourismTĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister of TourismQuestion No. 8—Tourism8. TĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister of Tourism: What announcements has he recently made about freedom camping?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Tourism): Recently I announced with Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult that the Government was introducing tougher freedom camping laws to prevent the abuse which has placed an unfair burden on small communities and damaged our reputation as a high-quality visitor destination. At the heart of our new law will be a greater respect for the environment and communities through a right vehicle right place" approach. In 2022 the Government will introduce legislation that will amongst other things include that vehicle-based freedom campers will need to be in a certified self-contained vehicle to stay overnight on land managed by local councils unless the council has designated the area for non-certified vehicles and a new regulatory system to enable vehicles to be certified as self-contained. To be certified as self-contained a vehicle will need a fixed toilet.Tāmati Coffey: Why has the Government moved to make these changes?Hon STUART NASH: Despite the Government's investment of $27 million in freedom camping programmes since 2018 there are still problems including inappropriate disposal of human waste. Feedback from communities and councils has made it clear that some freedom campers remain a problem. Issues include uncertified vehicles parking outside designated areas—including on private driveways and front lawns—littering and disposal of human waste. Freedom camping will always be a valuable part of our tourism experience but must meet minimum standards and respect our tourism brand.Tāmati Coffey: What will be the expectations on campers?Hon STUART NASH: We are setting clear minimum expectations for campers. Higher standards must be met before vehicles can be certified as truly self-contained with fixed toilets. Abuses in the past included campers slapping bogus blue stickers on vehicles to falsely claim compliance. Abuse of freedom camping by domestic and international travellers not only damages our "100% Pure" brand; it erodes public support for tourism and undermines its social licence to operate.Hon Todd McClay: Does he realise that there are currently no freedom campers in New Zealand because his Government has kept the border closed to double-vaccinated visitors and why isn't he instead focused on—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I'm going to invite the member to restart his question. If he's going to make assertions which are clearly incorrect—clearly incorrect—then I will rule it out because members are not allowed to make an unsubstantiated assertion in this case which is clearly wrong. Chris Bishop: Point of order. SPEAKER: No I've ruled. The member will resume his seat. Hon Todd McClay: Does the Minister realise that there are currently no international freedom campers in New Zealand because his Government has kept the border closed to double-vaccinated visitors and why isn't he instead focused on the actual problems that tourism businesses who are struggling have today—i.e. they are not sure whether they will survive this year or next because of this policy?Hon STUART NASH: These rules apply to both domestic and international freedom campers and what I would say is that this Government has put well over $600 million directly to support this industry."