The draft Freedom Camping Bylaw aims to balance environmental impact, public safety, and community wellbeing; allowing for freedom camping in selected areas while protecting our natural spaces and places.
The draft bylaw would mean that freedom camping is only allowed in four specific RESTRICTED areas of our rohe (district):
- Te Ahiaua Reserve (Pipi Beds)
- Hikuwai Reserve
- Hoani Waititi Reserve, Omaio
- Te Kaha Reserve, Maraetai Bay
The draft bylaw also clearly marks the parts of these four areas where freedom camping is expressly PROHIBITED, to prevent ‘overflow’ camping.
Restricted Areas:
and the PROHIBITED spaces within these areas/reserves
Freedom camping is prohibited in the Ōpōtiki District except in these specific restricted locations and prohibited spaces do apply. Other general restrictions also apply.
- All freedom camping in the Ōpōtiki local authority areas is restricted.
- A person may only freedom camp at a particular freedom camping site for a maximum of three nights within a 4-week period.
- All waste must be disposed of at a regional or district council approved facility.
- Public facilities must not be used for washing and/or drying dishes, clothes, or any other camp related items.
- Vehicles must be legally parked and will not prevent others from undertaking legitimate activities in the area.
- Freedom campers must comply with the request/s of an authorised enforcement officer.
- No person may light any fire while freedom camping in a local authority area except in a place specifically provided by the Council for that purpose, or with the prior written permission of Council.
- Dogs must be under control at all times.
- Additional area-specific restrictions apply.
1. Te Ahiaua Reserve (Pipi Beds), Waiotahe
Te Ahiaua Reserve is located near Waiotahi Beach, approximately 9km west of Ōpōtiki township. It is accessed from State Highway 2.
- Freedom camping is restricted to the southeast portion of the reserve within the green outlined area.
- Freedom camping is prohibited in the majority of the reserve within the red outlined area.
2. Hikuwai Reserve
Hikuwai Reserve is located at Hikuwai Beach, approximately 3km east of Ōpōtiki township. It is accessed from State Highway 35.
- Freedom camping is restricted to the southcentral area of the reserve within the green outlined area.
- Freedom camping is prohibited in the majority of the reserve within the red outlined area.
3. Hoani Waititi Reserve, Omaio
Hoani Waititi Reserve is located in Omaio, approximately 55km east of Ōpōtiki township.
- Freedom camping is restricted to the southcentral area of the reserve within the green outlined area.
- Freedom camping is prohibited in the unmanaged bush areas on the outer edges of the reserve within the red outlined areas.
4. Te Kaha Reserve, Maraetai Bay
Te Kaha Reserve is located at Maraetai Bay in Te Kaha, approximately 68km east of Ōpōtiki township.
- Freedom camping is restricted to the southcentral area of the reserve within the green outlined area.
- Freedom camping is prohibited in the majority of the reserve within the red outlined area.
