Freedom camping ambassadors will be out and about helping campers at freedom camping sites like Hipapatua (Reid’s Farm) as well as other camping sites and reserves across the district this summer.
Head of community, culture and heritage, Dylan Tahau said the ambassadors will be advising campers on how long they can stay, what to do with refuse, local alcohol bylaws, and how to take care of our environment by not washing in our lakes and rivers and using designated toilet facilities.
"We see huge numbers of visitors here over summer and we want them to enjoy their stay and be safe. We also want to help reduce the impact on our environment and the ambassadors can help our visitors look after our taonga and the place we love," he said.
The ambassadors will be a friendly face for visitors and locals alike and will also be passing on information about any unwanted behaviour to our compliance teams. They can be identified by their green uniforms, as opposed to the blue uniforms worn by our roving community ambassadors, who offer directions, recommendations and assistance to visitors around the town centre, lakefront and reserves. This initiative has been made possible through a funding agreement between Taupō District Council and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Pictured below: left to right, Taupō’s new freedom camping ambassadors Vanessa Healey, Jazer Naumai and Murray Crane.