Auckland Council and Auckland Transport have this week begun talking to a number of people in the Wynyard Quarter area who are ‘freedom camping’. The council is concerned about the disruption this may cause to the public and the impact on health and safety.
Auckland Transport has handed out flyers reminding them of the restrictions on camping. Council staff are also present and talking to people about alternative campsites.
Grant Barnes, General Manager, Licensing and Compliance Services, says “The discussions we are having are very much focussed on people who are passing through with campervans or who are living there long-term in campervans and using this as an alternative to paid campsites.
“I want to be clear that this activity is not focussed on the more vulnerable people in our community who use this area as a place to stay, and have done for a number of years. Our community development and safety teams provide support and options to these individuals on a regular basis in partnership with agencies such as the City Mission, and will continue to do so along with finding alternative accommodation in time.
Freedom camping is a long running issue in various places across Auckland. The Council regularly monitors this for the safety of both the campers and the general public.