How to camp
For the best experience, stay at one of New Zealand's great campsites. Many campsites and campgrounds have cooking, toilet and shower facilities on site - everything you need in one place. You might even make new friends.
If you do decide to camp on public land, there are some things you need to know. Rules about where and how you can camp are different across New Zealand. Every district and council has different bylaws so it's important to do your homework before visiting each region.
Take notice of camping restriction signs
No Camping Sign
Camping overnight is prohibited at sites displaying no camping signs, including this sign:
Self-contained vehicles only sign
The following sign means you can only camp overnight in a vehicle that is certified self-contained and displaying a valid Green warrant card:
Check out the list of useful websites below or visit an i-SITE Visitor Information Centre to find out more.
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Freedom Camping Act
The New Zealand Government established the Freedom Camping Act in 2011 to regulate camping on land controlled by local authorities and by the Department of Conservation.
Download (676 KB)
Find out more about the act below -
Camping on conservation land
Camping is permitted on public conservation land, except in areas where it is expressly prohibited or restricted to self-contained vehicles. This is indicated at each location by signage. For a list of conservation areas where camping is prohibited or restricted to self-contained vehivles visit the Department of Conservation's website.
Department of Conservation -
Council Camping Bylaws
Make sure you're following the bylaws for the areas you're in by checking with the local council.
New Zealand Councils -
Self-contained vehicles
If you own a private vehicle, you can generally only freedom camp on public land if your vehicle is certified as “self-contained” with a Green warrant.
Self-containment certification (SCV website)
Green warrants have replaced Blue warrants which are now no longer valid, so in New Zealand a vehicle is now only recognised as self-contained if it has been certified by an approved authority under the current national self-contained vehicles (SCV) system and is displaying a valid Green warrant card.