Freedom Camping in New Zealand
Parking beside the ocean as the surf laps against pure white sands, a cooling breeze brings relief from the Summer sun. The view is priceless, if it were a property, it would be worth millions of dollars. For us in our Campervan, it’s free, providing excellent overnight parking known as Freedom Camping in New Zealand.
We spent a few months a year touring New Zealand in our Campervan and know it very well. Initially we were very naive about Freedom Camping, along with the logistics and rules surrounding it.
Similar to Aires
Freedom Camping is similar to some European Motorhome parking schemes, such as Aires in France or Sosta’s in Italy.
Freedom Camping in New Zealand is probably about one of the best schemes in the world enabling a legal overnight stay in a Motorhome.
So, let’s begin to explain the system and how Freedom Camping in New Zealand can benefit anyone travelling this spectacular country in a Motorhome.
What is Freedom Camping in New Zealand?
Freedom Camping in New Zealand is an area where campervans can legally stay overnight. This is usually free for use by local council’s across New Zealand.
Who can use Freedom Camping areas in New Zealand?
Anyone can stay overnight at a Freedom Camping location, however the Campervan must be certified as Self-Contained. Occasionally, an area for non-self contained campervans will be available. However, this isn’t as frequent.
Sometimes other rules apply, such as a restriction on the size of Campervan or motorhome.
What is a Self-Contained Campervan?
The rules changed a few years ago on self-containment. This was to prevent people sleeping in vehicles that didn’t have facilities. For a Campervan to be certified as self-contained it must have certain fitments.
For example, campervan’s and motorhomes must have a toilet which can be used when the bed is made up.
You can supposedly no longer have a vehicle passed as self-contained, where it’s impossible to use the toilet. Typically, this is having a portable toilet for example, in the back of the people carrier or car. Obviously, where there’s no space to use it when sleeping.
What are fitments for a self-contained campervan ?
When building our campervan we had to include several items to gain the self-containment.
- Water and waste tanks big enough for 3 days use.
- Install a sink and connection with a smell trap to a sealed waste tank.
- Include a portable toilet and securing for travelling with enough space around it to be used when the bed is set up, with elbow space and enough head room above, again with a holding tank capacity for 3 days.
- A vented waste tank with 3m long hose to dispel the waste and a fixed rubbish bin with a lid.
- In addition, there had to be capacity for the number of people who can travel legally in the vehicle, 3 in our camper. This was 12L per person per day minimum for water tanks (if waste had been smaller, we’d have needed a monitoring device) and 3L per person per day for the toilet.
Check NZMCA For further details on requirements for self-containment
How to be officially certified Self-Contained?
Campervans are independently inspected by registered inspectors to ensure they meet the rules.
If passed, a paper certificate is sent to the owner, along with a blue Motorhome sticker to display on the rear of the Campervan and a blue certificate card, which must be displayed in the windscreen. This states the vehicle registration, date of expiry etc.
Our own campervan inspection was independently arranged. We met the inspector who had a look at everthing to ensure it met the standards.
The certificate lasts for 4 years. Our certification was sent by post about a week after inspection, although we were given the good news on the day.
Can you use Freedom Camping if you’re not Self-Contained?
This is where confusion sets in. Each region is different and areas within regions vary again with the rules. The vast majority of Freedom Camping is just for Self-Contained vehicles, however there are a few locations where Non Self-Contained vehicles are permitted along with some tent areas.
The only way of knowing is to obtain the information from the relevant council or i-Site where you are travelling. Also read signs carefully at the Freedom Camping locations.
If signs say “Self-Contained” then they mean it. If Non-Self-Contained are allowed, the sign will say so, and these will almost certainly be close to a public toilet.
Is Freedom Camping the same as Wild Camping?
In a nutshell – No.
Freedom camping is a legitimate overnight parking place. In other words, the local council are putting you where they will tolerate you.
Freedom Camping in designated areas is a legal way of parking overnight, as long as you stick to the rules stated at the location.
It’s also a safer option to Wild Camping, where you can potentially be vulnerable or even illegally parking in an area where by-laws forbid it.
How do you find a Freedom Camping area?
Freedom Camping areas are well signposted once you get to the location, generally you’ll come across them by:
- Passing by and noticing signs and other campervans
- Leaflets from an iSite or Tourist Information with a list of locations in the local vicinity
- Road maps – look for the Motorhome symbols for both dump areas and parking
- Apps – There are a few out there, such as Campermate
More signs will indicate parking places to ensure you park properly within the area.
Will there be facilities?
Usually a public loo is close by but not always. Otherwise, the idea is to use your own on-board facilities, which is why your vehicle should be fully self-contained.
What about showers and dishwashing?
There will be no shower or washing-up facilities. However, there may be a cold shower at a beach location.
Hot showers are rarely provided by a local council, although we have found the odd one.
There are never washing up facilities.
Are Freedom Camping Areas Always Free?
As the name suggests, this is Freedom Camping – so yes they are free to use.
Local council’s do also have some motorhome camping areas that have a fee.
For example:
- Auckland has several regional parks. Walking tracks, leisure activities and camping areas for motorhomes to stay overnight are available for a low-cost fee.
- Similar overnight parking areas for motorhomes are available in Wellington and Auckland centre. Here, you pay at a parking meter in the parking area itself, expect to pay between $30-$40.
How long can you stay?
This varies for each location, so you need to check on arrival by reading the signs. It may be just 1 night or anything up to 3 or 4 nights.
Read the rules and stick to them.
Will there be parking bays?
The parking area could be grass, gravel, dirt or a hard surface.
There may or may not be parking lines on the ground.
Can you park anywhere at a Freedom Camping location?
NO – you MUST park within the section allocated for Freedom Camping.
This will usually be shown on a sign. In addition there will usually be signs detailing the parking place.
Most areas have signs and arrows which show the Freedom Camping area is between the arrows.
Surely no one actually checks – do they?
This is the biggest myth of all.
The authorities really do come round and make sure the parking is within designated areas. They don’t want you overstaying you’re welcome or parking incorrectly.
We were naive in thinking it didn’t really matter where you parked. However, officials visited almost every Freedom Camping area we used.
Usually these visits are in the evening and early morning and we spoke with other travellers who received written warnings. We even spoke to some who were given a fine (often around $200).
In the Whangarei district, we had 3 visits by different officials within a couple of hours. This included the Police, a Freedom Camping ambassador and a security officer. The latter moved 3 motorhome’s and their occupants on. The reason – for parking outside a designated area.
Lastly, we’re not immune – having received a verbal warning by a Ranger in Wellington.
Arriving after dark, the area was full. Parking one space after the marked zone, we thought we’d be ok until morning.
Then a knock on the door at 8am and a sharp warning followed, as well as a log of our campervan details. This was from a Ranger, who even put his hand on our bonnet to make sure it was cold.
Are They Always Scenic Locations?
Very often yes, but each one is different, so it’s not always guaranteed to be a picturesque setting.
What about the dump and filling with fresh?
There are public dump areas throughout New Zealand. They won’t always be at the same location as the Freedom Camping area.
At the dump, the waste water is dispelled using a long hose attached to the waste pipe of the Motorhome. This flows into the same drain as the toilet waste. A water tap for rinsing the loo and cleaning the drain after use will usually be at the dump (not to be used for filling the fresh or drinking).
A fresh water tap is nearly always available too, but this will be separate from the toilet/dump point.
Never empty the waste water down a drain in the road, always use the designated area.
Is Freedom Camping like a campsite?
No.
The space to park will often be small. There’s a strict limit on the amount of days you can stop and no facilities. Think of it as a convenient place to park overnight, if you have everything in the van to keep you self-sufficient.
If you need somewhere to wash your dishes, brush your teeth or go to the loo, then a campsite is the place to be. What you shouldn’t be doing is using the local’s public toilets as a bathroom and kitchen.
What do the locals think?
Until or last visit, we had no idea Freedom Camping in New Zealand was so controversial.
It became apparent that the locals really don’t like it. In fact, we felt quite uncomfortable at times, overhearing locals comment as they pass by.
Questions are usually, “Have you got a toilet? Also “Are you Self-contained?” Followed by the declaration of problems they associate with tourists in small vans. Supposedly those without the toilets that like to fertilise the landscape and hang washing out on display!
It doesn’t seem to be an issue that’s going to go away anytime soon. Here in New Zealand, the press often have a story on the perils of Freedom Camping. Seemingly, a few council’s have closed some areas as a result.
As pressure mounts from disgruntled locals, welcoming tourists in campervans and keeping the local community happy, isn’t going to be easy.
Are Touring Caravans Permitted on Freedom Camping Areas?
In France and other countries in Europe, Aires are only for motorhomes. In New Zealand, they allow caravans too, despite not having on board waste/fresh tanks, relying mainly on portable containers.
Of course, caravans also need a car to tow them, taking up an extra space.
Whatever your opinion, Freedom Camping welcomes all forms of self-contained vans.
Can you sit out and have the awning out?
This all depends where you are and how much room there is. Sitting outside is part of the package, many motorhomes have awnings out, regardless of taking upon too much room.
Using polite discretion, ensuring space for a neighboring motorhome is the best option.
Enjoying the Freedom
Knowing you are parking somewhere authentic, whilst enjoying the natural surroundings, is a unique mix.
That’s the big difference between “Wild Camping” and “Freedom Camping”. The safety aspect of parking in areas provided for you, amongst some of the most beautiful scenery is reassuring.
Actually, it can feel like ‘Wild Camping”, without the drawbacks or uncertainty that come with that.
Freedom Camping is Here to Stay
“The locals may not like it, but it’s not going away”.
This is the fact of Freedom Camping, it’s how one Ambassador described it to us on our last trip. A culture so set in the heart of New Zealand life that we should embrace it for all it has to offer.
As long as we all respect the rules, certainly don’t use the area as a toilet and don’t overstay our welcome, then we can do no more. What we don’t want is to give any ammunition by being disrespectful.
Watch Out for Snappers
One year we were on a freedom camping area in Coromandel Town, when a car sped across the parking area, coming to an abrupt halt at the foot of our bonnet. The passenger window was wound down and a camera aimed directly at our van and us, before it sped off again.
Why, we will never know but we wonder if it’s because we were having a coffee sat outside. It reminds us though – in the digital era, there’s always an instant image to be taken.
Finally, just enjoy it
Last but not least, Freedom Camping offers the most enjoyable freedom in some of the most amazing locations.
As travellers, we pay back into the local economy one way or another. Embracing, respecting and remembering the country back home that we’re representing overseas is in important part of sharing this wonderful country with those local communities.
Have a wonderful New Zealand trip and do read our Top tips for trip and hiring a motorhome in New Zealand.
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