People living out of Vehicles during lock-down

Online Content Publisher from Whangarei District Council

Police, Northland District Health Board and Whangarei District Council have decided to move all outlying freedom campers to two sites in central Whangarei.

The move will ensure proper facilities can be provided for the welfare of campers and provide them with closer access to medical help should they require it during the month-long Covid-19 lockdown.

This applies to freedom campers and vehicle dwellers regardless of their self-containment certification status. The exception to this is freedom campers at Cobham Oval Car Park and the Finlayson St Car Park who should stay self-isolating where they currently are.

A main site has been set at Pohe Island at William Fraser Memorial Park on Riverside Drive and a second area at the Whangarei Aquatic Centre Carpark. Both carparks will be closed to the public for the duration of the lockdown.

Police will begin moving campers to the two sites over the next few days and campers should stay where they are until they are asked to move by Police or Council’s Armourguard officers.

Council is working with other agencies to try to find accommodation for anyone rough sleeping in cars during the lockdown.

Police, Northland District Health Board and Whangarei District Council remind locals to be kind to our overseas visitors at this time. They are guests in our district and have been caught up in this difficult situation through no fault of their own.