Queenstown Lakes District Council interim chief executive Michelle Morss has decided to extend the ban on freedom camping at Wānaka’s Allenby Pl until the end of January next year, the council said in a statement.
Freedom camping at Allenby Pl was temporarily prohibited in late January this year but, with the ban set to expire at the end of April, Ms Morss decided to extend it.
‘‘The reasons for extending the temporary prohibition remain unchanged,’’ Ms Morss said.
‘‘These include ongoing access and health and safety concerns that are unique to the layout of the site, particularly the narrow accessway into the carpark and increased traffic movements.’’
Allenby Pl was a key point of tension between residents and tourists in Wānaka throughout the summer following a 2024 High Court decision that ruled the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s bylaw banning freedom camping was invalid.
In response, the council established 15 pre-determined locations to accommodate freedom camping, with three spaces for freedom camping allocated in Allenby Pl.
However, following a series of issues with health and safety related to increased traffic in the cul-de-sac, as well as hostility from residents, freedom camping was temporarily banned at the site.
‘‘Our district is well known to be one of the most popular camping destinations in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the vast majority of freedom campers visiting the district this season have been doing the right thing,’’ Ms Morss said.
‘‘However, the sheer volume of visitors does create challenges.’’
Freedom campers only registered through the council’s check-in system for less than half of the estimated 23,000 nights they slept on council land between December and March, she said.
In addition, the council received almost 1000 requests for service from residents regarding freedom camping issues including noise, litter, non-compliance with site limits and requests for enforcement activity.
While freedom camping caused significant issues, councils could not prevent the practice with the exception of a limited set of circumstances.
‘‘The Freedom Camping Act — national legislation — permits freedom camping by default on most council land.
‘‘Councils can only prohibit to protect the area, access to the area, and the health and safety of people who visit the area,’’ she said.
