All You Need to Know About Freedom Camping in New Zealand
Freedom camping in New Zealand has always been a great way to explore this beautiful country without spending too much. But now new laws are changing how this has been working. These new laws are especially going to affect you if you're planning to travel here in a campervan. These rules came into effect in December 2023 and are an attempt to protect the environment. This is a great initiative by the country. However, it also means you, as a camper, will need to adjust a bit.
If you're thinking of a road trip across New Zealand, let's have a look at the things you need to know about these new freedom camping rules and how they might affect your plans.
What Is Freedom Camping?
Freedom camping is when you stay overnight in an area that is not specifically made for camping. It is free and not a campground. This is also known as wild camping or dispersed camping.
In New Zealand, there are over 500 places to park your campervan or motorhome. From parking lots behind stores to scenic lakeside areas, the country has a spot for everyone.
This budget-friendly way to travel has been incredibly popular. Many tourists prefer renting campervans or motorhomes to make the most of these free spots. But with the new laws, you'll need to plan your camping more carefully.
The New Rules: What has Changed?
New Zealand has introduced stricter laws for freedom camping. The government has released new standards for vehicles, which is the big change we are talking about.
Self-Contained Vehicles Only
Now not every vehicle will be permitted for Freedom Camping. Your vehicle will need to beself-contained, which means it should have everything you need for sanitation, including a toilet.
Fixed Toilets Are Required
In the past, people used portable toilets. But now, only vehicles that have fixed, plumbed-in toilets will be considered self-contained. This means you cannot travel in a basic campervan with a portable toilet anymore. That is not going to qualify.
New Certification
Now you need a new green warrant certification. Earlier, there used to be blue stickers qualifying a vehicle as self-contained, but now only vehicles with fixed toilets and other requirements will get a green sticker.
Bigger Fines
If you don't follow the new rules, you can face fines of as high as NZ $2400. So, make sure that your vehicle meets all the requirements.
How Does This Affect Travelers?
If you're thinking of traveling around New Zealand in a van or motorhome, here's how these changes will impact your trip.
Renting a Campervan or Motorhome
From December 7, 2024, any rental vehicle you use for freedom camping will need a fixed toilet and a green warrant. If you plan to travel after this date, you'll need to rent a fully equipped motorhome rather than a basic van.
But the news is - if you have plans for a trip before 7th December 2024, you can still rent a van with a portable toilet and a blue warrant for freedom camping. But once the new rules fully kick in, only vehicles with green warrants will be allowed to camp freely.
Buying a Van for Your Trip
If you're planning to buy a van to travel around New Zealand, you have a bit more time. Until June 7, 2025, you can still use vehicles with blue warrants for freedom camping. But after that date, all private vehicles will need the new green warrant to be eligible.
When you're buying a van, make sure it's already certified as self-contained. Also, double-check that the certification is valid for your entire trip. Be careful not to fall for fake stickers, as some vehicles may falsely claim they're certified. You can verify this through the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association or NZMCA.
Where Can You Still Freedom Camp?
Even with these changes, freedom camping isn't going away. It's still very much a part of New Zealand travel, but the rules about where and how you camp will differ based on the region.
Every region manages freedom camping differently. Some areas welcome campers with open arms, while others are stricter. For instance, places like Whangārei District encourage responsible freedom camping. They offer clean public toilets, showers, and even free Wi-Fi at some spots. On the other hand, Queenstown has much stricter rules. It can be tricky to find places to camp legally there, and they provide maps with only a few approved sites.
To find Freedom campsites, the easiest way is to use apps like Rankers or CamperMate. These apps will show you all the free spots nearby, including details on whether your vehicle needs to be self-contained. Make sure you check the descriptions carefully, as some spots have limits on how many nights you can stay or how many campers are allowed at a time.
Why Have the Laws Changed?
Over the last decade, Freedom Camping has become incredibly popular in New Zealand. While it's great to see so many people enjoying the outdoors, this surge in camping has caused some issues. There have been reports of campers leaving behind trash, including human waste, which has had a negative impact on the environment.
New Zealand's government wants to protect the country's natural beauty, so they introduced these new rules. They hope the changes will reduce the environmental impact of freedom camping and ensure that the practice remains sustainable in the future.
While some travelers feel these new laws are unfair, particularly those traveling on a tight budget, the government believes it's a necessary step to protect the environment. The good news is, you can still camp for free in many places if you follow the rules.
Affordable Camping Alternatives
If you're worried that these new laws will make camping too expensive, don't stress. There are still plenty of affordable options for travelers on a budget.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) operates many low-cost campsites across the country. These sites usually have basic amenities like toilets and running water, and they're often in some of New Zealand's most beautiful locations.
In addition to DOC sites, many local councils offer cheap campgrounds with essential facilities. These spots might not be free, but they're still very affordable compared to paid holiday parks.
Tips for Planning Your Freedom Camping Trip
To have a great Freedom Camping experience in New Zealand, all you need to do is plan ahead. To help you with the preparation, here are some useful tips:
Choose the Right Vehicle: Start by making sure that the vehicle you rent or buy meets the self-contained requirements. If you want to freedom camp after December 7, 2024, you will need a green warrant and a fixed toilet in the vehicle.
Use Apps to Find Campsites: Apps like CamperMate or Rankers can be of great help and save you from being lost for camping spots. These will show you free campsites and important information, like if your vehicle needs to be self-contained.
Respect the Environment: It's extremely important that you always clean up the sight where you can't and use proper waste disposal options. This will help New Zealand stay, as beautiful as it is.
So, with new rules, you might feel that Freedom Camping is changing, but it's just encouraging you to be a little more responsible. Just follow them, and you'll be enjoying Freedom Camping just like you did before.
Also, do check if you qualify for a NZeTA and apply online. This can make your entire trip to New Zealand much easier. To find out more about NZeTA, visit the New Zealand Visa Helpdesk.
READ MORE:
Travelers who have come back from a New Zealand road trip often complain that it ruined them, as now they do not find any other road trip as fun as New Zealand. If New Zealand is on your go-to countries list, then you must add a "road trip" to your to-do list in New Zealand. Learn more at The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary.
Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your Online New Zealand Visa. Belgian citizens, Canadian citizens, French citizens, Swedish citizens and Brazilian citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA.