Self-containment certification: Which one is yours?
Miriam Richardson
Here are the different kinds of certification cards. We dont know what the green card looks like yet.
For clarity: No blue card can be used for freedom camping after 6 June 2025. [Revised, Editor]
Certified Blue before 6/23 (any toilet)
OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025 (or until your card expiry date, if it is sooner). [Revised 12/12/23, Editor]
OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires.
Certified Blue fixed toilet
OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025 (or until your card expiry date, if it is sooner). [Revised 12/12/23, Editor]
OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires.
Certified Blue portable toilet
You may not freedom camp on public land†.
OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires.
NEW: Certified Green(fixed toilet only)
OK to freedom camp on public land†. Lasts 4 years. (Not yet available.)
OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires.
[We dont know what the green card will look like. Ed]
Identify which kind of self containment you have, and be clear about where you are allowed to camp, so you can avoid fines and hassles
The new freedom camping law specifically states that ‘short term parking’, and ‘day-trip excursions,’ are not freedom camping. Recovering from driver fatigue continues to be allowed, and is, specifically, legally, not ‘freedom camping’.
† What is ‘public land’?
All land managed by district and local councils is covered. This can include land otherwise controlled by NZTA, LINZ or DOC. Currently LINZ has 5 freedom camping areas in Central Otago and the McKenzie Country, and the new law applies. As at Nov 2024 DOC has made no changes relating to self-containment: the existing standard applies (portable or fixed toilet) for sites that require self-containment. ckw.nz/linz
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