CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

New law

The national laws about freedom camping changed in 2023. The law applies to all public lands in the whole country, within 200m of a ‘road’.

Every statement you make about the new law requires some buts and ifs. but: ‘all public land’ means land managed by district and local councils which can include land otherwise controlled by NZTA, LINZ or DOC. ‘Freedom camping’ means:

Must be certified self-contained

Everyone freedom camping must be certified self-contained (but: DOC, LINZ or local councils can, if they want to, designate places where those not-self-contained can camp).

There is now an online national register of all new ‘green’ warrants. This can be checked by enforcement officers. (but: They are called ‘green’ warrants because the new cards are green; nothing to do with the environment.)(but: Some new warrant cards don’t stay green, they turn red due to inferior quality cards.) 

For both green and blue warrants you have to carry the actual certificate.

There is now a national regulator to handle complaints about anything self-contained (but: not for the old blue card system).The Plumbers and Gasfitters Board (PGDB) has been tasked with administering the new regulations.

There is now a levy you pay the government, to help pay for the new system when you get or renew a ‘green’ warrant. Currently it is $120.

Transition period

We are in a transition period from the old definitions of self-contained to the new. For freedom camping, all hire vehicles must already comply with the new rules. For private vehicles we have until June 2026 to transition to the new ‘green’ system. See p2 for the complete list of self-containment cards that comply during this transition.

Stickers entitle campers to nothing, they are just advertising. You must have and display a valid warrant card (blue or green) and have the certificate with you.

Fixed toilets

The new system irrationally requires a toilet that is fixed in the vehicle. There are several mechanisms for fixing previously portable toilets in ways that meet the new regulations. This is a source of debate amongst the people who do the certification and on social media. The certifier has the final say, and PGDB has the job of addressing any complaints.

Enforcement

The national laws apply through the whole country, and local areas can make bylaws to restrict or ban freedom camping at some places. There is debate about how much and what kind of restricting they can do.

Local areas can enforce the national laws and their local bylaws, and collect fines. Some are doing this, some are not. Some are doing it in certain places but not everywhere. There is no consistency: you have to check the local area websites and consult local signs (and hope for the best).

Enforcement officers must carry id (you can ask to see it), and can inspect your warrant cards in the window, and your warrant certificate (but: not always), they can move you on (but: only sometimes). They cannot inspect your vehicle, out or in (but: Kaikoura thinks they can).

There are commonsense laws and fines for things like discharging waste, but there are now other, less obvious offences such as ‘preparing to freedom camp’ (defined as parking in the wrong place/time), impeding or getting upset with enforcement officers (eg., abusive language, intimidation), displaying fraudulent warrant cards, refusing or giving misleading/false information. Penalties include being fined ($400 to $3,000) or having your vehicle impounded. Infringement notices only have to be sent — you are in trouble even if you don’t know and never receive them. Councils may waive fines if they choose, and the courts are the final arbiter of justice about penalties.

Homelessness

The homeless are not restricted by freedom camping laws or bylaws. Each council decides how to define ‘homeless’. 

• Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are good for what?

• Get your vehicle self-contained

• Official information from PGDB

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