My husband recently heard a news article that the Tauranga City Council had issued 1000 tickets/fines to freedom campers who were breaking the council rules, but apparently only 200 had been paid. This seems so very wrong. What power does the council have to enforce the fines i.e. what are the penalties if you don't pay?

The staff issuing tickets should carry Eftpos machines. Apparently you get woken at 2am if you are receiving a fine, so why not make them pay on the spot. Also, could the staff 'clamp' the offending vehicle until the fine is paid?

We are freedom campers and abide by the Tauranga 'rules'. It's a hassle having to move every two nights, but we do. We are frustrated by seeing the number of vehicles staying longer than two nights in any one place, and the number of vehicles camping overnight in breach of each site's regulations.

R Mitchell, Bethlehem.