Kirk Hargreaves

NEW HOME: Freedom campers kicked out of a New Brighton car park have moved to Waimairi Beach, five minutes away.

Freedom campers forced out of a Christchurch car park after complaints of loud, violent behaviour have found a new home.

Up to 20 short-stayers living at the New Brighton car park left on Saturday when the Christchurch City Council put up "no camping" signs.

Despite moving on, the campers did not go far. They set up camp in a car park at Waimairi Beach, five minutes away.

Residents had complained about noise, rubbish and threats of violence from campers, who were using freedom camping laws to live at the council-owned site.

On Friday, police spoke to a German camper after he brandished a knife during an argument with a photographer from The Press.

About half a dozen campers - most of whom were seen at the New Brighton car park last week - were at the new spot yesterday morning. They had set up camping chairs and tables. Several campers had also set up a tent in nearby Thomson Park.

The car park is part of the North Beach Regional Park, which is managed by the council.

It was identified as a potential hotspot for freedom campers during the council's monitoring programme, council inspections and enforcement unit manager Anne Columbus said.

Here is the original post:

New home for freedom campers