Debate during the first reading of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill offered insights into the lives of at least two MPs and the marketing mindset of another pair.
Sometimes a debate on what might seem an unremarkable piece of legislation can reveal more about our Members of Parliament than the legislation itself.
Now that's not to undersell the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill which looks to tackle the problem of careless disposal of human waste by so-called Freedom Campers polluting the rivers and streams of this. Presented by the Minister of Tourism Stuart Nash, the Bill's first reading threw up some insights into the lives of at least two MPs and the marketing mindset of another pair.
Stuart Nash wants "high quality" tourists coming to New Zealand
"Freedom campers travel widely, spending money in local communities. Some also contribute by participating in our seasonal workforce and volunteering," Nash explained.
"However, not all freedom campers respect our natural environment, nor the communities that host them. Of particular concern are freedom campers who stay in cars or vans with sleeping platforms that are not self-contained. Abuse of freedom camping by domestic and international travellers not only damages our "100% Pure" brand; it erodes public support for tourism and undermines its social licence to operate."
The need for action to prevent Freedom Campers from polluting is widely supported, with MPs like Nelson's Rachel Boyack able to attest that the impacts are not confined to rivers and beaches.
"Friends of mine who live on a street in Nelson, called Weka Street-I have a number of friends who live on that street; it's very close to Trafalgar Park-wrote to me earlier this year and said 'Our neighbourhood was previously plagued with non-self-contained campers parked on our streets overnight, with urinating in our gutters and on our footpaths. Worse was deposited under the bushes in the park, of course, and occasionally on our front lawns, mine included'," she said.
Branding
The Tourism Minister has made no bones about his aim for New Zealand's tourism sector to aim for "high-quality tourists" - indeed he portrays the country as a brand to sell.
This was echoed by his Labour colleague Jamie Strange who cited a " unique opportunity to encourage high-value tourists to come to New Zealand, high value, high wage".
"The Minister has recognised that, and the Minister is bringing in legislation, like this piece of legislation here, which will improve New Zealand's brand. It will improve the value proposition that New Zealand offers," Strange said…