Redefining ‘freedom camping’ in New Zealand: the role of the Rugby World Cup

Abstract

In New Zealand, camping is a popular accommodation alternative when touring through its islands. The Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011 is, to date, the largest event ever hosted in the country, and it redefined the way the authorities approach camping. In preparation for the RWC, special legislation was crafted to guarantee the right to practice ‘freedom camping’ while reducing the annoyance associated with doing so for the hosting communities. Counter to the original objective, these regulations ended up intensifying mobility restrictions. Framed against the theory of exception, this paper uses a spatial narrative to analyse the historical development of camping regulations in the country. The paper reveals the role of the RWC as one of a few catalysts that have refined the operation of a long-standing network of camp-spaces efficiently managing mobility through New Zealand's large and sparsely populated territory, since its colonial origin.