Tourists attempting to leave the country with unpaid freedom camping fines will now find it harder to escape.

A partnership between Thames Coromandel District Council and select campervan rental companies aims to prevent ‘camp and run' incidents, which have comprised nearly a third of all fines issued to tourists in the last four years.

Fine solution to freedom camping capers. Photo: Supplied.

'Our Council has to deal with campervan rental hirers who break freedom camping laws, and we needed to target the few who spoil it for the majority,” says Thames Coromandel District Council community environment manager Barry Smedts.

'Irresponsible use of public places, camping where prohibited, littering, incorrect disposal of human waste, and a poor level of knowledge by the campers are just some of the issues troubling local councils, including ours.”

Since the December 2012 enforcement of the Freedom Camping bylaw, TCDC has issued nearly 5000 infringements, waived about 12 percent of those, and still been left with around 1200 unpaid fines as guilty campers have fled the country.

'The poor behaviour of some freedom campers casts stigma over the whole practice and needed to be addressed,” says Barry.

Currently when TCDC issues an infringement, it can be paid at TCDC offices or by credit card through the website, but infringement fines are not tagged to the rental vehicle.

Under the TCDC-campervan companies' partnership, however, the infringement is invoiced to the hire company within 24 hours and the infringer is asked to pay on returning the van.

Queenstown Lakes District Council is also trialling the partnership model, says Barry.

"Infringements are a bit quiet for TCDC at this time of the year, but the Queenstown Lakes District Council have reported a good response [to the initiative, with more] fines paid.”

Tourism Holdings Limited CEO Grant Webster says motorhome tourism brings great benefits to areas that are off the mainstream tourist routes, and THL is working with TCDC to encourage proper behaviour.

"We are happy to work with councils to take this a step further and help collect infringement fees for those who ignore the wide range of approved overnight options.”

The alliance also promotes the free Campermate app, designed to inform customers of all approved designated overnight parking spots, commercial campsites, and DOC sites.