The tourism minister says freedom camping needs to be controlled, rather than banned.

Kelvin Davis is meeting with 32 mayors this morning to discuss growing concerns about freedom campers.

He says anti-social behaviour, like public defecation, needs to be stopped.

But Davis told Mike Hosking New Zealand needs to continue to attract a range of high-end and low-end tourists.

"Many a New Zealander has actually gone over to Europe on the OE and lived in the back of a camper van and people want to do similar things here."

LISTEN ABOVE AS KELVIN DAVIS SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING