Campers urged to keep it clean

Campers in rural areas of New Zealand are being reminded to take some simple steps to keep New Zealand clean and green.

Rural Women New Zealand national president Liz Evans said campers, especially those without onboard toilet facilities, should camp in designated areas such as holiday parks and Department of Conservation camping grounds.

"This will help avoid problems experienced in past years of unwanted 'leftovers'," she said.

"For the past few years, we have been highlighting the problems of campers without onboard toilet facilities fouling our rural roadsides and emptying effluent and grey water down cattle stops and roadside drains.

"We have seen some improvements since the Freedom Camping Act was passed in 2011, and we need to keep this up."

For those who want to camp, the website: www.camping.org.nz provides a one-stop shop for campers. It includes information on keeping safe, facilities and regional camping.

According to Mrs Evans, if people want to "freedom camp" they should assume nothing and check with i-SITEs or Department of Conservation offices.

"For those travelling in a rural community and unsure of where they can and cannot camp, just ask a local," she said.