Concerns have been raised by local councils and communities about the possible exacerbation of problems associated with freedom campers, come the expected influx of rugby fans, many predicted to hire campervans and follow the tournament.
Association advocacy manager Geoff Ensor said the priority of the New Zealand Freedom Camping Forum remained on the present. Members of the forum saw the Rugby World Cup as an opportunity to imbed some very forceful key messages about what was expected of campervan travellers when visiting New Zealand, he said.
"We're more focused on the legacy of the World Cup. Our main target is to have those key messages instilled before then," Mr Ensor said.
Campervan rental companies are pushing a message to visitors about the plenitude of bookings and vehicles available for the World Cup.
The association issued a media release last month to dispel "rumours that campervans and motorhomes are booked out for the RWC".
"[The] rumours ... are not true. Major campervan companies are advising they are looking forward to receiving more bookings."
Kea Campers operations manager Tamara Schuerlein said an existing "steady stream" of bookings was expected to increase once international airfares and seats were released by airlines.
Mr Ensor said the spike in campervan use would be an important time for the freedom camping forum to concentrate its focus.
"The spike in usage [during the Rugby World Cup] will need to be managed, but we are only talking about a timeframe of between a month and six weeks.
"It is a mistake to say all roads are leading to the Rugby World Cup, when our emphasis remains on management right now," Mr Ensor said.
The consistency, strength, and clarity of the message about the expected behaviour of campervan travellers needed to be instilled and built on regardless of the Rugby World Cup, he said.
Otago Conservation Board chairman Hoani Langsbury said it was vital for the appropriate infrastructure to be in place to help educate and cater for campervan travellers visiting for the Rugby World Cup.
The board, which had been a staunch critic of freedom camping, was wary about the potential spike in freedom camping caused by tournament followers.
It was crucial the long-term management of freedom camping issues addressed the concerns of local councils and communities, who were the ones affected by the problems associated with campervan travellers, he said.
