Project Description
Freedom camping in New Zealand has shown strong growth over the last decade. Wellington is a popular spot for freedom campers given its proximity to the Cook Straight ferry crossing and its numerous attractions and annual events and as such the demand for freedom camping sites in Wellington has also increased in recent years. TRC recommended taking a regional approach to managing freedom camping and to service the demand in the region which will result in a better outcome for visitors and the community.
For anyone unfamiliar with Wellington — it is a tight-knit city built around the mouth of Fitzroy Bay and Wellington Harbour. Space is at a premium in all areas and much residential property is built onto the sides of cliffs. The main freedom camping zone is around Owhiro Bay, which is an extremely busy area. With space at a premium, the plan is to focus on creating freedom camping locations in some of the less busy areas such as Lower Hutt and the surrounding area that can still provide easy access to the Interislander Ferry service.
