Campers chasing freedom ... near loos

Freedom campers have copped criticism for irresponsible behaviour. Reporter Alice Cowdrey asks tourists their views.

Martin Lietzow rubs his eyes as he climbs out of an orange Spaceships van.

A tea-towel hangs in the window and his friend Christian Hahn, 24, is still sleeping.

It's 8.30am down at the carpark near the Lions playground in Tahunanui, and the freedom campers are not alone in notching up another free night of accommodation.

There are five campervans dotted around the carpark and a dumped boy-racer car with a plastic chair on its roof. A few people are heading to the beach for a walk.

A woman is using a leaf-blower to clear paths and doesn't look twice at the campers, but a local man in running shoes loudly mutters something about moving along the "bums" and his rates going up.

The campers aren't self-conscious. They sit at the reserve tables to eat bowls full of budget-brand cereals, they set out fold-up chairs and hang their wetsuits over their vans to dry.

Mr Lietzow, 28, a police officer from Germany, says he has not yet been treated negatively for freedom camping or been told to move on.

"People are really friendly towards us and help us a lot. We do ask people if we need something – we have had a good experience with that. We camp mainly at beaches because of the view and the feeling. It's freedom."

He says they never stay at campgrounds because "they ask for about $17. It's quite expensive".

An information pack on camping is in the van's glovebox and there's a sticker on the window which says "Where can I camp? Assume nothing, always ask a local."

The sticker has been dished out to the campervan rental company by the New Zealand Freedom Camping Forum, which was formed in 2007 by the Tourism Industry Association to educate freedom campers.

Spaceships' website says that "free camping" is allowed in many areas of New Zealand.

"However Spaceships New Zealand strongly recommends that you use one of the many great camping ground options available as much as you can. If you do want to free camp please park near public toilet facilities and leave the site clear of any waste and rubbish when you leave," the site says.

Mr Lietzow is surprised by the crowds of freedom campers he has encountered in New Zealand and can understand why they irritate people.

"Because if you don't have a toilet and you leave your litter at beaches and parks then I can understand why they are angry. But for us we always use toilets, showers and litter bins."

The pair cook all their own food and shower at swimming pools, campgrounds or beaches. Their camper costs about $40 a day and comes with a double bed, a cooker and a large water container.

They can usually find a toilet to park next to.

Nearby is a silver van packed to the roof with bags, instruments, clothes and surfboards.

Three young German men have been travelling in the cramped wagon for three months in between seasonal jobs.

Leo Fuhrmann, 19, says campgrounds are expensive.

"We stay here because it's cheap and as long as we have public toilets available. I don't see a reason why we should stay in a campground.

"There are toilets available everywhere in New Zealand and as long as you use them, that's fine."

The travellers were told by the people they bought their van from that they could camp "anywhere you want".

However, he never imagined there would be so many people in campervans. "In every public carpark you see freedom campers. I am surprised it's so easy."

Eating their breakfast on a reserve table in front of their white Toyota van are French primary school teacher Morgane Blanc, 28, and joiner Damien Simoneau, 28.

After working in Auckland they are freedom camping around New Zealand. Miss Blanc says: "Most of the time it's easy to find a place to park. We prefer by the sea. We are lucky here because there are public toilets everywhere.

"It's about $15 per person to camp each night at a campground. It's not very expensive but we couldn't afford it every night."

She, too, can understand why people debate freedom camping, which is banned in France. "It's a question of tidiness and respect."

Tomorrow: On the freedom camping trail.

GOING TOURING International tourists who travelled New Zealand by campervan last year: 113,400 Total spending: $441 million Individual spending: $3892 Nights stayed: 2.9 million

FREEDOM CAMPING RULES Tasman Self-contained campers can stay two nights in any calendar month on council land except in prohibited areas. Nelson Non-self contained vehicles are not permitted to camp anywhere in the city. Self-contained campers can stay overnight at the Kinzett Terrace carpark.

- © Fairfax NZ News