What is Certified Self-Containment?
Certified self-containment is maintaining and certifying your motor caravan or caravan in accordance with the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Regulations 2023.
The NZMCA encourages everyone to certify their vehicles in accordance with the regulations, helping to protect the environment and public health from indiscriminate waste disposal. If you wish to freedom camp you will need to have your vehicle certified self-contained under the regulations and be issued a green warrant card.
If your vehicle has a portable toilet, or if it has a fixed toilet but you don’t use it for freedom camping, the NZMCA has developed an internal certification programme to ensure you can remain a member of the NZMCA, visit our parks, and attend our events. This certification has a yellow warrant card.
A certified self-contained vehicle meets the ablutionary and sanitary needs of the occupants for a minimum of three days, without requiring any external services or discharging waste.
Wastewater is then safely disposed of in approved dump stations, which can be found in most camping-grounds and public areas.
Please avoid the use of non-biodegradable chemicals as they will adversely affect the operation of sewerage networks including biological systems.
Click here to check out other more frequently asked questions about Certified Self-Containment.
The legislation addresses vehicle-based camping only. It does not regulate the use of tents for camping. The Act does not affect freedom camping on public conservation land, or the decisions made by the Department of Conservation. DOC can, if deemed necessary, restrict freedom camping in specific areas to certified vehicles with a fixed toilet.
See here for the latest self-containment guidance documentation published by the Regulator, PGDB.
The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Inc (NZMCA) inspects and certifies motor caravans and caravans that belong to current financial members and preferred commercial partners only.
The NZMCA’s volunteer certification service is not available to non-members, however there are other Certification Authories who may be available to assist you (at a cost). Details can be found in the Self-Contained Motor Vehicles Register HERE.
Which certification shall I get?
A displayed warrant card and self-containment certificate demonstrate compliance.
During your inspection you’ll need to advise the vehicle inspector whether you want a green or yellow warrant card.
The inspections we carry out for financial members will continue to remain a free member benefit[1], regardless of the type of onboard toilet.
Members’ vehicles carrying portable toilets must meet the new regulations, save for the fixed toilet requirement. Subject to passing the inspection, they will be issued with a new NZMCA branded certificate and yellow warrant card. However, their vehicle details will not be entered into the government’s vehicle register. This means their vehicle will not be certified for the purposes of freedom camping; however, it will be certified to comply with the NZMCA’s constitution and bylaws, stay at NZMCA parks and attend NZMCA events.
Members with fixed toilets onboard their vehicles will have two options to select from if their vehicle passes its inspection:
- Option A – Receive NZMCA certification and yellow warrant card (free of charge) to remain members, access our parks and attend events; or
- Option B – Pay the levy ($120) and receive the government’s new certification and green warrant card that will enable them to freedom camp in areas that require this certification.
Both options will comply with the NZMCA’s constitution and bylaws.