New Zealand tightens freedom camping rules: Mt Iron ban extended, residents demand action in Christchurch

In 1926, New Zealand's first caravan was built on a Morris truck chassis. Owner Mrs. Eglington equipped it with a kitchen, bedroom and bathtub, but no toilet. A century later, sanitation issues in freedom camping remain a problem.

Almería is putting up physical barriers to keep motorhomers off its former fairground — while Turkey simply evicts them from the beach. Lightship is quadrupling its electric-caravan factory in Colorado, even as 50% of Italian motorhome renters turn out to be under 35. Plus 800 kg of hashish in a motorhome at the Spanish border, Anker's 800 W charger running off the alternator, and Carstay as the mobile HQ of a Tokyo festival — all in this issue.

New Zealand-based Tourism Holdings Ltd (THL) dominates the RV and campervan rental market. Sources diverge on fleet size: from 20,000 to over 40,000 units. It operates brands Britz, Maui and Apollo in Oceania, North America and Europe, generating over 80% of revenue from rentals.

Queenstown Lakes District Council has extended the temporary ban on freedom camping at Wānaka's Allenby Place carpark to 31 January 2027, citing access and safety issues. Over 2,000 fines totalling NZ$900,000 were issued in four months.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.

ARI Motors released a camper van the size of a regular van — and it's now Germany's smallest production electric camper at €30,000. JAL decided its passengers hadn't traveled enough and offered a sequel: a motorhome pickup straight from Narita. The lawsuit against Stellantis over "cheat" diesel software, a yellow DHL van in the hands of a retiree, and 413 million campsite overnight stays across Europe — all in this issue.