Filling the freedom camping blanks

This summer Kāpiti Coast District Council staff have been gathering information on freedom campers in Kāpiti, with early results providing some useful insights into visitor behaviour and experience.

As at mid-February Council staff surveyed over 100 freedom campers to learn more about where they are from, what attracts them to Kāpiti, and how long and where they stay. Surveying will continue through March.

The work to build a better understanding of freedom camping in Kāpiti is being supported by funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment which granted Council $90,000 to assist with information gathering, on-the-ground monitoring and education with campers, and for improved signage.

Environmental Standards Manager Jacquie Muir says the research will help fill in knowledge gaps and inform possible future options for how freedom camping is managed in the district.

“We’re keen to better understand the freedom camping scene in Kāpiti so that as a Council and community we can make good decisions about how we manage what is a very real part of the New Zealand tourism offering,” Ms Muir says.

“Freedom camping is enabled by government legislation and councils across the country are responsible for managing it in their districts in a way that meets the expectations of their communities.

“What we’re learning is that most of those freedom camping throughout summer have been young travellers from Europe, predominantly staying for one night, and drawn to Kāpiti by our beautiful coastline and natural environment.”

Of the people spoken to 70 per cent are from overseas (predominantly Germany) while 12 per cent are from the Wellington area, 68 per cent say they freedom camp to explore New Zealand, and 84 per cent stay just one night. The survey also showed freedom campers span a range of ages, with the 25-34 age group accounting for 33 per cent of campers, 18-24 and 35-44 20 per cent each, and over 65s 14 per cent.

Campers were also asked a range of other questions including their preferred activities and where they find information.

“Gathering this information provides us with a solid base and is a step towards finding an approach to freedom camping that works for Kāpiti and the people who visit us,” Ms Muir says.

“We’ll continue surveying for a few more weeks to build our knowledge and will share further findings in due course.”

Visit Sustainable camping to learn more about freedom camping in Kāpiti.