Associate Prof Claire Freeman has been investigating what camping means to families.
She believes it is an important escape for many people, but it is under threat by development.
As coastal property prices increased, many camping grounds around the country were sold to property developers, she said.
Add to that an influx in foreign campers and a move towards commercialisation of sites, and space for family camping was diminishing.
In order to counter these changes, she wanted to inform councils and the Government about the importance of camping, and its affordability, to all New Zealanders.
"The main thing is we want camping protected and safeguarded as a Kiwi way of life, for future generations.
"We take it for granted," she said.
In order to further understand why people went camping and what it meant to them, Prof Freeman sent planning student Jonathan Ryan around campsites over the holiday period to talk to regulars.
He visited five campsites in North Canterbury and Central Otago, interviewing 70 families, some of whom had frequented the same area for about 40 years.
They were quizzed about where they were from, what they liked about the campsite, why they chose it and how important the site was for their children.
"One of the main findings was that the experience was good for the family as a whole.
"They are relaxed. They like to go back to the basics," he said.
Children were safe because the entire camp kept an eye out for them, they were also able to take part in activities they could not all do at home, such as fishing, swimming and wandering in forests.
Being able to take pets and mixing with other families was an important social aspect for all, but campsites were still often marked off, some far in advance of a family's arrival.
"They felt there was a lot more like-minded people around who were family oriented.
It's a real communal lifestyle, because it's an environment in which you bump into people more," Mr Ryan said.
Camping was also not just about a cheap holiday.
Those interviewed were from all walks of life and many went on overseas holidays during the year.
"Camping gives them the experience they would not get with any other holiday," Prof Freeman said.
Mr Ryan said people would be "devastated" if they lost camping grounds.
"They would always want to go camping. They would not look for alternatives."
Recognising the value of camping and ensuring sites were protected was important to Prof Freeman.
"This is what we do as Kiwis. It's a strong part of the Kiwi psyche," she said.
