Tauranga City Council has received several complaints recently from residents over freedom campers flouting the rules.

Among the sites popular with freedom campers is Nikau Crescent in Mount Maunganui, which has been subjected to litter by careless overnighters.

Last week Mount resident Rosalie Liddle Crawford noted a lot of vans overnighting in Nikau Crescent, as well as self-contained campervans.

She says there have been around 15-20 – far more than most freedom camping spots allow.

A German couple staying in a van told Rosalie they couldn't afford the $30 per night fee at the local backpackers.

Freedom camping is permitted in Nikau Crescent, but vehicles must be parked on the grass road berm, and must be self-contained.

Tauranga City Council bylaws and parking team leader Stuart Goodman says the council has received a number of complaints recently regarding freedom camping, including complaints about those at Nikau Crescent.

'The majority of complaints are around the number of freedom campers at each site. Last week, an enforcement officer investigated a complaint regarding Nikau Crescent – arrangements were made to clear the site of any litter.”

He says Tauranga is a popular location and well-regarded in the freedom camping community, and the campers are mostly very respectful.

'Council receives very few complaints around anti-social behaviour at our freedom camping locations. Any such complaints are investigated and some are referred to the police.

'The council conducts proactive patrols and provides education to the campers around Tauranga's Freedom Camping Bylaw. Council may look at further enforcement action in the future.”

Freedom campers have proved a challenge to rural New Zealand as well, according to Federated Farmers.

They allege there have been situations where farmers were left to sort out the mess left by campers situated on, or crossing, their land.

Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Katie Milne says tourism is at record levels and freedom camping is on the rise.

'44,000 international visitors took the option to freedom camp last summer. The government is making plenty in GST but doing little to fund the needs of small communities in need of significant investment to cope.”

Freedom Camping: What are the rules?

• You must be in a self-contained vehicle which clearly displays NZS5465:2001 certification.
• If parking on a reserve it must be in a designated area (look for the signs).
• You can only stay in any one location for two nights per calendar month.
• You must park legally and comply with noise requirements – do not create a disturbance to other users and nearby residents.