Freedom campers are flocking to Christchurch camping areas after a new bylaw set up special camp zones, allowing them to camp legally.
The Christchurch City Council has set up three designated spots for the campers, and the sites have been overflowing ever since.
German tourists 3 News spoke with have been travelling New Zealand for months. They're delighted with Christchurch's new bylaw allowing travellers to freedom camp at certain spots in the city.
"As a backpacker you don't have much money to pay $10 dollars a night, so it's really good if you can camp for free," says freedom camper Lukas Schoeverl.
Not surprisingly, it's proving very popular, with access to free toilet facilities and rubbish bins. Travellers have to be quick as most sites are full by 6pm.
"It's getting much harder later in the evening, with cars pulling up and having to leave again," says freedom camper Michael Hanneken.
It wasn't always plain sailing. Before the new bylaw campers were dossing down all over the city. In some suburbs their mess and noise caused friction with local residents.
Some parts of the city are off-limits, but campers seem happy with the new designated zones.
"We've had some good receptions from a lot of overseas visitors and visitors to Christchurch in general, and we've had a few teething problems, but overall things seem to be going well," says Christchurch City Council licensing compliance manager Fiona Proudfoot.
Freedom campers are only allowed to stay for up to five nights in a 30-day period. Five nights is no problem for tourist Beau Corazon, who says Christchurch's generosity is rare.
"This is remarkable. I'm not sure I know of any other cities. Now I'm going to start looking and see if this does exist elsewhere."
It makes for a happy and cheap holiday.
3 News
