Today is the last day for Aucklanders to have their say on proposed freedom camping bylaws, which could see the number of parks where people can camp increase.
The proposals have also raised concerns from some, including Albert-Eden Local Board Chairman Peter Haynes, who this morning told TVNZ1's Breakfast: "Freedom camping's great, it's awesome if it's the right people in the right place but we don't think that what's proposed has freedom camping prohibited in appropriate parks," Mr Haynes said.
"We don't think it's properly resourced and we're quite concerned about the ability of our enforcement staff to enforce the bylaws.
"Nobody's suggesting that there should be no freedom camping in our area, the problem is we only have three parks where freedom camping will be prohibited - there are 28 proposed for Devonport-Takapuna - how do you explain that?"
Auckland Councillor and chair of the Regulatory Committee Linda Cooper told Breakfast that "of course local boards are going to be feeling very concerned about their own area".
Linda Cooper says a balance needs to be found where everyone is happy.
"Our decision has to be made to make this bylaw work at a region-wide way - the whole purpose of it is that we have had hot-spots and there are areas that do get over-run.
"So what we've tried to do is assess places where we can provide more opportunities for people.
"We will be indicating ... maybe this is a better place for you to go - don't all congregate in half a dozen places which are causing us problems - here are some places we've identified."
Ms Cooper said the council had listened to local boards and to feedback from the community, and that would be considered when the council deliberated in April.
"There's other people that have said they fundamentally disagree with freedom camping and they just don't want it - they don't want to have it near them because it's near their house.
"Just the fact that you don't like the look of it in your park is not enough.
"At the end of the day, we've actually got to do this bylaw, because at the moment it is a free for all.
"There's no teeth - if we don't have a bylaw we can't infringe people, so this is a tool we can use, and there's many other bylaws that can deal with other behaviours that people might have ... people who don't behave well."
People can submit on the proposals here and submissions close today.
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