The sight of well-equipped campervans has been a familiar one on our Southern roads for many years, and these self-contained temporary mobile homes create few problems as their occupants tour the sights.
Not so welcome has been the more recent innovation of converted smaller commercial vans, which are by no means self-contained, rented by companies to a less affluent level of the market, presumably with the intention of their drivers using the facilities afforded by camping grounds.
Below these are ordinary vans purchased on arrival in this country, with not much more than a mattress thrown in the back, used for touring and then sold before departure.
Of these three groups, the users of the latter two types are largely responsible for the increasing blight on our environment - human sewage waste.
This has been a problem for at least the past 10 years, but with increasing numbers of tourists and the increasing number using the cheaper vans, it has been apparent for some time that officialdom must step in.
So-called freedom campers appear to be the main culprits, and the proposed bylaw prepared for public consultation by the Queenstown Lakes District Council will, in theory at least, provide the powers of enforcement lacking at present in that area.
The bylaw may also discourage local residents from taking enforcement into their own hands - an understandable response but one that the council should study with benefit.
Within it lies the possibility of a bylaw that will actually work as intended.
The proposal outlined this week is to impose potentially heavy fines on freedom campers who park overnight within the council's district.
The area concerned is substantial and includes considerable areas inland from the lakes, both urban and rural - but then, so is the scale of the problem of abandoned toilet waste and litter.
It is tempting to contrast the thoughtless behaviour of freedom campers in this regard with the actions that have been forced on the many Christchurch residents who have had to deal responsibly with their waste disposal in light of the absence of serviced facilities.
The same threat exists: that of the spread of disease.
General disgust at the actions of some campers is common in most parts of New Zealand where this problem has become widespread.
Queenstown is thus one of many local authorities contemplating sanctions, and the sanctions should therefore be consistent across the country.
The Department of Internal Affairs has had some co-ordinating role, initiating a proposed national instant-fine regime that will be part of the local regulations.
It is good to see the intention of the Queenstown bylaw is to prohibit freedom camping outside the banned zones unless the camping vehicle has approved self-contained waste facilities.
That should prevent the careless and carefree from parking beside our rivers, rest areas and popular public places and disposing of waste and rubbish without thought.
Although instant fines are likely to be only in the order of $150-$200, it is surely manifest the punishment ought also to include where practicable a clean-up requirement.
Furthermore, powers of arrest do not appear to be clear at this stage, nor the means by which obstinate offenders may be stopped.
It seems signage warning of the prohibitions is planned - another regrettable blight on the landscape but one made necessary - but far more than this needs to be done.
Obviously, a first target must be the van suppliers, who need to be made aware of the new requirements of their customers and the possible consequences of disobedience.
It is perhaps too soon to consider banning non-self-contained vans.
Clearly, information needs to be provided to intending visitors through publicity material, ticketing, at camping grounds and the like, and at information centres.
The widest possible publicity needs to be deployed to ensure the message that New Zealanders want to keep their country clean is heard.
But, like so many similar proposals, this bylaw will be useless unless the means for enforcing it are provided.
No doubt council staff will patrol the areas as part of their routine duties, but the public, especially local residents, should be encouraged to play their part by dobbing in offenders and reporting locations where waste has been left.
