Loo roll forces confession from freedom camper
MATT BOWEN
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Toilet paper doesn't lie.
The soft (ideally), multi-ply product proved to be the downfall of one freedom camper who fell foul of a Coromandel bylaw prohibiting the practice.
A Thames Coromandel District Council officer came across a woman who had gone for a toilet stop near her van.
"She denied it was hers," council spokesman Craig Birkett told the Waikato Times.
"But the toilet paper on the ground matched a roll of toilet paper that was hanging out the back of her vehicle.
"The officer said, 'You can't really deny it now can you?' And she said, `Well, I guess not'."
Mr Birkett said in general people were apologetic when caught freedom camping.
"We haven't had any stories about people being overly aggressive, just a few people slamming the door and telling the officer to go and mind his own business – sometimes with stronger words than that."
The bylaw, introduced on December 19, has had positive results, and had reduced instances of rubbish bins overflowing or refuse being dumped illegally, he said. "For us we haven't had the same impact we've had in previous years with rubbish bins overflowing, stuff like that, particularly in townships."
Mr Birkett said the message to visitors is to look into where freedom camping is and is not allowed.
A freedom camping amnesty is now over and all illegal campers staying overnight in prohibited locations face a $200 fine.
There is a list of the off limits areas at tcdc.govt.nz.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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And so New Zealand where you can live a life free of small minded bureaucrats telling you what to do, where to go, how to live has another nail slammed in it's coffin, by-laws defined as laws passed by old men with too much time on their hands.
pretty common practice unfortunately. I can understand why local Maori are fed up with tourists who are either kiwis or Europeans who continue to foul holiday spots. These guys wouldnt like it if we went and did #2's in their front lawn.
Has anyone else smelled the Occupy protest? That's worse.
Mark #5
I agree. This article should've finished off with a screaming, guitar-screeching soundbite by The Who.
Very CSI logic
I've been camping just the once and it was in campervan that belonged to one of husband's clients. It had its own kitchen, bedroom, dining area, and separate bathroom; so ducking into the bushes wasn't necessary lol. Still, I didn't like having to rough it. Living out of a suitcase for 4 days is not really my scene (we stayed in a hotel on the last night LOL!)
I don't see why freedom campers can't just use campervans like this. I do understand that the one we used would be a bit too far out many tourist's price-range but you can get models with two single beds (as opposed to the queen-size) for a bit cheaper.
Shop around peeps!
It is unacceptable and gives the responsible campers a bad name. My girlfriend and myself freedom camp every year and we NEVER need to do our 'business' on the side of the road because we are organised. There are plenty of public toilets available and conveniently scattered around the countryside. These types of campers are lazy. It really brasses me off because I know it does not need to happen.
I guarantee they wouldn't get away with doing this in their own country. Arrogant so & sos think they can do it here!
Dirty disgusting tourists, shame on you!!!
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Hagbard, can I please come take a dump on your front lawn? Maybe right on your front door? Then you can literally feel my freedom between your toes.