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Freedom Camping Act 2011

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

20B: Infringement offences relating to LINZ land

You could also call this:

“Rules for camping on LINZ land and what happens if you break them”

You can get in trouble if you break the rules about freedom camping on LINZ land. LINZ stands for Land Information New Zealand. Here’s what you need to know:

You’re not allowed to freedom camp on LINZ land unless a special notice says it’s okay. If the notice says you can camp there, you still need to follow any rules or conditions it mentions.

If you’re allowed to camp in a self-contained motor vehicle, you must show a warrant card in your vehicle. This proves your vehicle meets the required standards.

While camping, you must be careful not to damage the land, plants, animals, or any structures. You also can’t leave rubbish lying around - you must put it in the right bins.

You can’t even start setting up camp if it’s not allowed or if you’re breaking the rules mentioned in the notice.

If an enforcement officer tells you to leave LINZ land, you must do so. If you don’t, you could be in trouble.

Remember, breaking any of these rules is called an ‘infringement offence’. This means you could get a fine or other punishment if you don’t follow the rules for freedom camping on LINZ land.

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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=LMS855015.

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20A: Infringement offences relating to conservation land, or

“Rules and fines for camping on protected nature areas”

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20C: Other infringement offences, or

“Three ways you can break the freedom camping rules”

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

20BInfringement offences relating to LINZ land

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

  2. freedom camps on LINZ land, except to the extent that freedom camping is permitted on the land in accordance with a notice made under section 19B; or
    1. freedom camps on LINZ land in breach of any restriction or condition specified in a notice made under section 19B that applies to the land; or
      1. fails to display a warrant card in a motor vehicle that the person is using to freedom camp on LINZ land on which freedom camping in a motor vehicle is permitted on the condition that the motor vehicle is self-contained; or
        1. while freedom camping on LINZ land,—
          1. interferes with or damages the land, its flora or fauna, or any structure on the land; or
            1. deposits waste in or on the land (other than into an appropriate waste receptacle); or
            2. makes preparations to freedom camp on LINZ land, except where freedom camping is permitted on the land in accordance with a notice made under section 19B; or
              1. makes preparations to freedom camp on LINZ land in breach of any restriction or condition in a notice made under section 19B that applies to the land; or
                1. fails or refuses to leave LINZ land when required to do so by an enforcement officer acting under section 36.

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