Putting up "no camping" signs on tourist spots around the Queenstown Lakes district fails to deter freedom campers from spending the night.
In fact, according to research carried out by the council, the signs have the opposite effect.
Last Thursday, the council released a new, comprehensive freedom camping policy designed to take a tougher line on offenders who dump human waste and rubbish at popular scenic areas.
The consultation document is open for public comment until May 15.
As part of its preparation, the council carried out an audit of district roads last February which identified 50 "hot spots" for freedom campers.
One of those popular stop-off points - the lakefront One Mile powerhouse car park, near St Omer Park - was subject to a further trial from January 27 to March 23, to test the effectiveness (or otherwise) of "no camping" signs.
The site, which has room for 40 cars and is near toilets and a playground, was monitored over two months between 6am and 7am, for four of those weeks with a sign present and the other four weeks without.
And the results ?There were 321 vehicles counted over the four weeks with no signs, and 341 when the 600mm by 800mm red and white sign was in place.
Conclusion?Having the sign in place had "no significant" effect on people's attitude to freedom camping, said Paul Wilson, the council's general manager of community service.
"In fact, more people camped in the car park when an official sign was present."
Considering that those caught camping illegally often point to a lack of suitable signage as their excuse, the council's trial provided an interesting, if confusing, result.
