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Te Kaunihera a rohe o Tamatea / Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (CHBDC) has now closed public consultation on the proposed freedom camping bylaw. We thank everyone for their input and valuable feedback.
Please read the Adopted Freedom Camping ByLaw for more information visit our website www.chbdc.govt.nz, Council office 28-32 Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa or one of our hubs and libraries.
Note: To apply for a permit at Pourerere Beach during the summer period, please visit Pourerere Beach.
Freedom camping is an increasingly popular sector of the tourism market. We are committed to encouraging the benefits it brings, while managing the increasing pressure it places on key coastal and river publicly owned sites, particularly at peak times of the year.
The proposed bylaw sets out areas where freedom camping will be permitted, restricted or prohibited within the district to protect the environment, health and safety of residents and access to key public sites. It covers staying overnight in vehicles on public land controlled by the Council, which includes most local roads and some carparks.
Click here for our interactive map which details the proposed areas where, under the bylaw, freedom camping would be permitted, restricted or prohibited.
Alternatively, you can view static maps for each of the following:
Council currently manages freedom camping by educating and engaging with campers through our compliance team. Voluntary kaitiaki groups also assist us along our coast through the peak season.
However, we have no enforcement powers when asking campers to move on if they are adversely impacting others or the environment. The proposed bylaw contains rules that will help to prevent irresponsible camping along with other laws and bylaws.
The Freedom Camping Act 2011 allows for a bylaw when they are ‘appropriate’ and ‘proportionate’ to address the problems experienced. Based on the number of freedom camping related complaints, feedback received during our Thriving Places and Spaces consultation in 2022, and consultation to date, the need for a bylaw is both appropriate and proportionate.
The proposed bylaw has been designed to address the following:
The proposed bylaw also gives Council enforcement powers and the ability to apply penalties for offences.
Freedom camping: Background to the bylaw
In 2022, Council adopted the Central Hawke’s Bay Camping Strategy 2022 as part of the Thriving Places and Spaces Consultation. The consultation informed the strategy and its overarching strategic goal:
This strategic goal underpins the intent of the proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw.
Through the same 2022 consultation, Council also adopted a Reserve Management Plan that covers 80 reserves and the desired future development and investment for each site, including toilets and carparking. The public submission process and Council decisions made during the Thriving Places and Spaces Consultation have informed whether key camping sites are included as prohibited, restricted or permitted camping under this proposed bylaw.
Central Hawke's Bay District Council is currently developing a proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw for public consultation soon.
This was a result of the Central Hawke's Bay Camping Strategy 2022, as part of the Thriving Places and Spaces Consultation.
In general, freedom camping refers to overnight camping in tents or vehicles in places other than a camping ground as part of leisure travel, or for lifestyle reasons. It provides a flexible and affordable way for residents and for domestic and international visitors to experience and enjoy our district.
Most freedom campers are respectful and contribute positively to Central Hawke’s Bay, supporting local business and tourism. However, freedom camping can cause some issues:
The Freedom Camping Act 2011 allows for a bylaw when they are ‘proportionate’ to ensure any restrictions on freedom camping are justifiable in relation to the nature and scope of the problems being experienced. Based on our consultation to date and taking into consideration feedback received during our Thriving Places and Spaces consultation in 2022, community meetings and our freedom camping related complaints, we believe the level of problems being experienced justify the need for a bylaw.
Most freedom campers are respectful and contribute positively to Central Hawke’s Bay, supporting local business and tourism. However, freedom camping can cause some issues:
The rules and regulations of the proposed bylaw will protect the way we want to do things in Tamatea by helping to manage the negative impacts of freedom camping whilst ensuring everyone can continue to enjoy our public places.
The proposed bylaw has been designed to be appropriate and proportionate to the problems caused by freedom camping, including balancing the needs of campers and other users of public spaces. This means:
We have met with and sought feedback on the proposed bylaw directly from a number of key partners and stakeholders in our communities:
The council is proposing to introduce prohibited areas where no freedom camping is allowed in Waipukurau, Waipawa, Takapau, Otāne and a number of rural areas and reserves as well as coastal towns and reserves. When considering these areas council has considered public health needs, impact to the environment and public safety as well as other factors.
Restricted areas are proposed where freedom camping will be allowed for certified self-contained vehicles, including seasonal restrictions and a maximum number of nights. We have identified sites in Kairakau Beach, Pourerere, Aramoana Shoal Beach Reserve, Porangahau/Te Paerahi, Whangaehu Beach, Waipukurau, Waipawa, Takapau, Tikokino, Ongaonga and Otāne.
Council is proposing two permitted areas: Pourerere Beach Road and Te Paerahi Beach (Pōrangahau) Freedom Camping adjacent to Recreation Reserve. The draft bylaw proposes introducing a permit season between 14 December - 29 February. This is currently in place for Pourerere Beach Road but not Te Paerahi. Outside this season the bylaw proposes prohibiting freedom camping for non self-contained vehicles and tents.
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