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Campsite ‘reservation’ not hailed by everyone
Monday, October 29, 2012 • Sophie Rishworth
THERE will be “stern words” if he arrives to find his staked-out tent site at Pouawa Beach nabbed by other campers, says a Gisborne freedom camper.

Tarpaulins are already pegged down along coastal areas in what is an early start to the “first-in, first-served” concept of the new freedom camping season.

The practice, in effect, “reserves” a tent site until people are ready to set up camp.

Gisborne District Council reserves supervisor Jenny Allen says as long as a permit is displayed, the council will leave it alone.

Ms Allen says the council is not a campground and it is a matter of first-in, first-served.

But if they find a tarpaulin without a permit, it will be lifted.

“We can’t do that with caravans and there are a few of those.

“But we’re pretty on to it and in this last week we have notified a few caravan owners who have not had permits.”

On Thursday night, one freedom camper put his tarpaulin and permit out in an area that his family have camped on at Christmas for three generations — about 50 years.

“Basically, we hadn’t a leg to stand on if someone took our spot before, but now that we’ve got it staked we have. Everyone else has the opportunity to do the same thing.”

October was the earliest he had ever laid claim to his family’s spot but he had been prompted to do because other people were already doing it.

“If you don’t do it, you miss out.”

Another camper who contacted the Herald described the practice as “cheeky”.

“I’m going camping soon and if there happens to be any tarpaulins where I would like to set up my camp, and I have seen a few already, then I’ll be removing them and putting up my tent.

“It’s just rude and lazy that people think they can stake their claim in that way. Don’t be so lazy and go put up your tent.”

The freedom camper who has reserved his spot already said the only reason his family do not put up their tent is because it would get stolen.

“Some people say it’s not fair but everything we have done is legal. We have paid for the permits.”

The camper said if he found a campsite on his spot, there would be some stern words.

But he would be happy if they were only there for a weekend or a week.

“I would probably approach them and say that we were saving our spot for Christmas and as long as they were gone by then, it would be sweet.”
NOT SO HAPPY CAMPERS: The practice of freedom campers reserving their coastal spot has started early this year with at least nine tarpaulins already down along Pouawa Beach. As long as permits are displayed then the staking of favoured tent sites is allowed by Gisborne District Council. But in another camp some describe the practice as “cheeky”. Picture by Dave Thomas
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