Ōpōtiki District Council has adopted a new Freedom Camping bylaw this week that will come into effect for the busy summer period.

The new bylaw aims to balance environmental impact, public safety, and community wellbeing, providing for freedom camping in selected areas while protecting the district’s natural spaces and places.

Strategy and development group manager Antoinette Campbell said consultation on the draft bylaw took place in May and June and the feedback led to several changes that strengthened the bylaw and reflected community support for the council’s approach.

“It’s a balancing act that councils around the country are grappling with – allowing for freedom camping as required by national legislation but managing it to ensure safety and potential adverse effects on the environment and community.

“We think we have the balance about right in this bylaw and we’ll be keeping a close eye over the coming busy summer months,” Ms Campbell said.

Some of the discussion raised in the council meeting and in formal submissions focussed on enforcement and applying these new regulations across a large district and in some known hot spots, such as Te Ahiaua (the pipi beds at Waiotahe).

“In the first instance, we’ll take an education approach, letting people know the rules and other places they can go around the district,” Ms Campbell said.

“I do appreciate that for freedom campers it can be difficult to know the different rules and regulations as drivers move between councils around New Zealand.

“I’d encourage campers to research before they camp, pay attention to signage, and listen to advice from council staff.

“We have a new compliance officer employed over the busy summer months to help inform and monitor compliance with the bylaw. While they will be happy to share information in the first instance, we will be enforcing the bylaw from this month,” she said.

If residents see breaches of the bylaw or have questions or concerns, they can raise them with the council by phone, email, through the website or the Antenno app.

“Manaakitanga is central to Ōpōtiki life and we are proud to share our beautiful district with open hospitality. Our bylaw rules help us to do this in a clear and sustainable way for everyone,” Ms Campbell said.