Yesterday, the New Zealand Freedom Camping Forum (NZFCF) launched a new website, encouraging freedom campers to ask a local before pitching a tent or parking a campervan.
Supporting promotional material had also been prepared and would be displayed at participating campervan operators, at i-SITE visitor information centres, Department of Conservation visitor centres and participating holiday parks.
The material included "eye catching" information on "acceptable freedom camping practices" developed by Tourism New Zealand.
The NZFCF was convened in December 2007 by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) in response to growing concerns about the impacts of freedom camping in several parts of the country.
Forum members include rental vehicle companies, central and local government and tourism organisations.
TIA advocacy manager Geoff Ensor said freedom camping in the wrong places, or without appropriate management was having "negative environmental, social and economic impacts" on some regions.
"Freedom camping is a popular way to enjoy New Zealand and we don't want to prohibit people from travelling that way, but we do want to minimise the negative impacts."
The website was aimed directly at freedom campers, but the NZFCF had also developed other initiatives to help communities better manage freedom camping in their areas.
The Rental Vehicle Association would encourage all its members to fit toilets, wastewater tanks and rubbish bins to all vehicles designed to be slept in.
It was also developing new stickers allowing local government enforcement officers and campervan hirers to identify easily whether vehicles were fully or partially self-contained.
A national "no camping" sign had also been developed, because the lack of a single sign used around the country had been confusing for freedom campers, Mr Ensor said.
"We are delighted at the strong support for the initiatives of the NZFCF from all sectors. Through having the tourism industry working together with central and local government, we hope to help communities around the country manage freedom campers in ways that are appropriate for them."
Queenstown Lakes District Council parks and open spaces director Paul Wilson said the council had worked with the NZFCF and was pleased a consistent message would be given out across the country.
"Each community often has a different position on freedom camping and where you can and can't camp."
Mr Wilson said "from time to time" the Queenstown Lakes district struck trouble with freedom campers, with most problems confined to campers in urban areas.
"It can be a bit of a problem, we do have active patrols on that. Certainly, most campers end up at some point . . . in Queenstown, so we do see a lot of freedom camping . . . it's really just getting that consistent message out there."
Mr Wilson said while there was already extensive signage around the lakes district, "larger and more utilitarian" signs would be erected shortly for the summer and their success would be monitored.
The new NZFCF website would also be linked to the council's website once it was updated, he said.
Clutha District Council planning and environment manager Murray Brass said the CDC was pleased to have been part of the exercise.
"It's been great to have all of the different parties working together, and the industry has taken a very positive and responsible approach. We expect to see some real benefits come from this."
• The NZFCF website is www.camping.org.nz
