On November 23, Perth accountant Mairead Glass was travelling from Te Anau towards Dunedin.
Her two-week, self-contained, solo hiking tour began and ended in Christchurch.
"I was exhausted ... pulling over that night was the right decision for my safety and others on the road ... it’s unfortunate that it ultimately made me fear for my own wellbeing," Ms Glass said.
Asleep in the State Highway 1 rest area south of Milton near the Manuka Highway turnoff to Lawrence, her peace was shattered about 11pm by knocking on the window of her Space Camper rental vehicle.
No words were exchanged and Ms Glass listened in terror to footsteps and vehicle movement in the darkness for what she estimated was 10 to 15 minutes before she was left alone.
She discovered a $400 council infringement notice for freedom camping under her windscreen-wiper and was so shaken she drove to Milton police station, which was unmanned.
But she did not sleep and felt her holiday, particularly her remaining four days in New Zealand, had been marred by the experience.
"I checked in with Dunedin police next day and they said the ranger ought to have identified himself and given the option to drive away," Ms Glass said.
"I am reaching out ... in the hope that my experience is not repeated by anyone else."
She contacted the Otago Daily Times after an unsatisfactory telephone engagement with the Clutha District Council.
Council deputy chief executive Jules Witt was quick to reply.
"Our officer identified the non-compliant vehicle earlier that day and provided advice, via a note under the wipers, about appropriate camping locations because the vehicle wasn’t self-contained and needed to park where sanitation facilities were," Mr Witt said.
"The place in question is a hotspot for litter and misuse as a makeshift toilet [and] Taylor Park campsite was minutes away. As this was the officer’s second sighting, an infringement notice was issued.
"Our enforcement procedures are designed to balance public safety with necessary regulation enforcement.
"The standard procedure is to knock, then present identification at the window, requiring no direct contact. Officers never require doors to be opened and vehicle identification can be verified from outside the vehicle.
"As a result of this [Ms Glass’s] experience, we are adding additional measures to make identification at night clearer."
He said the council had provided comprehensive information about freedom camping rules and procedures to the Space Rentals company to assist when renting their vehicles to people wanting to visit the Clutha district.
Ms Glass was pleased to hear council was making changes in light of her incident.
"Had the officer announced himself to me, the outcome would have been completely different. We could have had a friendly chat and resolved the situation and I would have enjoyed my final days in New Zealand with happy memories," she said.
