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Freedom Camping Act 2011

Enforcement, miscellaneous, and transitional provisions - Offences, defences, and penalties - Infringement offences

20: Infringement offences relating to local authority areas

You could also call this:

“Breaking rules when camping in local areas”

You can break the law if you freedom camp in a local authority area in certain ways. Here’s what you need to know:

You’re not allowed to freedom camp in areas where it’s prohibited or restricted by local rules. If you use a motor vehicle that isn’t self-contained in an area that doesn’t allow it, you’re breaking the law. You must also show a warrant card in your vehicle when freedom camping, unless the area specifically allows non-self-contained vehicles.

It’s against the law to freedom camp in a self-contained vehicle with more people than it’s certified for. You also can’t damage the area, its plants, animals, or structures, or leave rubbish anywhere except in proper bins.

Even getting ready to freedom camp can be illegal if you’re in a prohibited area, using a non-self-contained vehicle where it’s not allowed, or preparing to camp with too many people in your vehicle.

If an enforcement officer tells you to leave an area and you don’t, that’s also breaking the law.

‘Getting ready’ to freedom camp means setting up a tent or parking a vehicle for camping. Remember, these rules are there to protect local areas and make sure everyone can enjoy them safely.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3742875.

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20A: Infringement offences relating to conservation land, or

“Rules and fines for camping on protected nature areas”

Part 3 Enforcement, miscellaneous, and transitional provisions
Offences, defences, and penalties: Infringement offences

20Infringement offences relating to local authority areas

  1. A person commits an infringement offence if the person—

  2. freedom camps in a local authority area in breach of any prohibition or restriction specified in a bylaw made under section 11 or 11A that applies to the area; or
    1. freedom camps in a local authority area, other than a local authority area defined in a bylaw made under section 11A as permitting motor vehicles that are not self-contained, using a motor vehicle that is not self-contained; or
      1. fails to display a warrant card in a motor vehicle that the person is using to freedom camp in a local authority area, other than a local authority area defined in a bylaw made under section 11A; or
        1. freedom camps in a local authority area in a self-contained motor vehicle with more people than the vehicle is certified for; or
          1. while freedom camping in a local authority area,—
            1. interferes with or damages the area, its flora or fauna, or any structure in the area; or
              1. deposits waste in or on the area (other than into an appropriate waste receptacle); or
              2. makes preparations to freedom camp in a local authority area in breach of any prohibition or restriction specified in a bylaw made under section 11 or 11A that applies to the area; or
                1. makes preparations to freedom camp in a local authority area, other than a local authority area defined in a bylaw made under section 11A as permitting motor vehicles that are not self-contained, using a motor vehicle that is not self-contained; or
                  1. makes preparations to freedom camp in a local authority area in a self-contained motor vehicle with more people than the vehicle is certified for; or
                    1. fails or refuses to leave a local authority area when required to do so by an enforcement officer acting under section 36.

                      1. In this section and in sections 20A and 20B, to make preparations means to do either or both of the following:

                      2. erect a tent to use it for freedom camping:
                        1. park a motor vehicle to use it for freedom camping.

                          Notes
                          • Section 20: replaced, on , by section 18 of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 24).
                          • Section 20(1)(c): inserted, on , by section 18 of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 24).