Freedom campers – tourists who explore New Zealand living out of their vans – have been in the spotlight lately, with complaints from locals at tourist spots that they are leaving a mess and destroying the natural beauty of popular sites.
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The Otago Conservation Board is seeking a national ban on campervans and intends to lobby the Government. Dick Waters, president of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association, told TV3's Campbell Live programme that the problem is that freedom campers are parking up wherever they feel like it. Campers have been slammed by community leaders for leaving mess and human refuse on roadsides and at scenic parking spots around the Queenstown Lakes and Otago.
However, campers are underrepresented in this story -- a Canadian couple also appeared on Campbell Live, maintaining that most campers are very considerate and eager to preserve New Zealand’s beauty.
There's an interesting story online at www.nzherald.co.nz -- it says that calls for a complete ban have also been labelled ridiculous, with Automobile Association tourism head Peter Blackwell suggesting that more could be done to make freedom campers aware of New Zealanders' expectations.
If we can learn anything from this, it's about keeping NZ clean to keep the locals onside. It's a beautiful country, leave it that way! And remember, for great deals on NZ campervan hire go to campervanhirenewzealand.co.nz
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I have been General Manager of Motorhome Republic, the operators of this website, for 4 years and with the company for 6 years starting as a Sales / Account Manager. Previous roles have included account manager and software architect for a web design firm, advertising sales across multiple media and television production. I’ve been lucky enough to go Motorhoming several times in Canada, USA and New Zealand so far and grew up going on caravanning holidays with Mum and Dad. The value and freedom Motorhoming offers are its two main drawcards for me. That and the envy on the other campers’ faces when you pull into a State Park campground with no hook ups in a 31’ Class C with double slide outs, on board generator, side awning, exterior entertainment unit and smoker unit for a 10kg salmon caught earlier that day.
I have been in the Motorhome industry for the best part of 6 years and with Motorhomes Republic for the last 18 months. I previously worked for the largest Motorhome rental company in the world as the New Zealand Sales Account Manager. I’ve traveled the length and width of New Zealand in many different categories of Motorhomes, in fact I don’t think there is a main state highway I haven’t driven. The love I have for Motorhomes is one of freedom and flexibility, doing what I want when I want. If I have a hankering for a cup of coffee in a beautiful scenic spot simply stop boil and enjoy….
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