The following position was adopted by the NZMCA Board on 11 October 2025. It reflects the NZMCA’s commitment to responsible freedom camping and guides our engagement with councils, the Department of Conservation, communities, and other stakeholders.
Background
Freedom camping is a long-standing and valued tradition for tens of thousands of NZMCA members and New Zealand families. Parliament has recognised this in the Freedom Camping Act 2011, which enshrines a permissive and proportionate approach to enabling freedom camping, while providing public land administrators with tools for managing genuine issues.
NZMCA members highly value the ability to explore New Zealand and freedom camp in a wide range of locations. A 2025 survey of 1,000 NZMCA members found that 19% prefer freedom camping over all other accommodation, and 52% consider doing it as part of their journeys.
Following the introduction of new self-containment laws in 2023, NZMCA members have made significant efforts to upgrade their vehicles and comply with the government’s higher standards for responsible freedom camping.
About the NZMCA
Over 120,000 Kiwis are members of the NZMCA, and they enjoy staying in commercial campgrounds, private campsites, and freedom camping areas.
The NZMCA is one of New Zealand’s leading campground operators, managing 63 private motorhome parks and three public campgrounds nationwide. We are a founding member of the Responsible Camping Forum and a long-standing member of both Tourism Industry Aotearoa and the Holiday Parks Association of New Zealand.
In 2001, the NZMCA led the development of the self-containment standard (NZS 5465). More recently, we supported the Minister of Tourism and MBIE in shaping the new self-containment legislation and regulations. Our team also collaborated with LGNZ and Simpson Grierson to produce updated guidance that helps councils develop freedom camping bylaws.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the NZMCA has successfully challenged unlawful bylaws introduced by the Marlborough and Queenstown-Lakes District Councils. The resulting High Court decisions have reinforced the importance of undertaking genuine site assessments and the need to avoid irrelevant matters when making bylaws under section 11 of the Freedom Camping Act.
NZMCA’s position
- NZMCA supports freedom camping in certified self-contained (CSC) vehicles, consistent with the permissive intent of the Freedom Camping Act and the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023.
- We oppose rules and management regimes that unreasonably prohibit our members and New Zealand families from responsible freedom camping in suitable areas.
- Local authorities and the Department of Conservation should enable responsible freedom camping in CSC vehicles, unless there are clear and valid reasons to prohibit the activity in specific areas, in accordance with the Freedom Camping Act.
- Non-CSC vehicles should be permitted to freedom camp in designated areas.
Bylaws and reserves
- Any bylaw restricting or prohibiting freedom camping should be made under the Freedom Camping Act, supported by robust site assessments and in line with recent case law.
- Blanket prohibitions or using the Reserves Act 1977 to circumvent the intent of the Freedom Camping Act are not supported and risk being unlawful.
- Freedom camping on reserve land should be considered in the bylaw-making process and in reserve management planning.
- Councils and DOC are encouraged to work collaboratively with us to avoid unlawful decisions or unreasonable outcomes. NZMCA is prepared to seek judicial reviews where necessary.
Urban areas
Responsible freedom camping is appropriate in urban areas. It allows New Zealanders to stay close to their friends, family, and essential services. These needs are especially important for older travellers and those with mobility challenges.
Commercial campgrounds
NZMCA supports public campgrounds by offering free marketing and advertising through our communication channels and CampSaver programme. We believe both activities can coexist. It is neither appropriate nor lawful to prohibit freedom camping to protect the economic interests of public campgrounds.
Benefits
Freedom camping in CSC vehicles provides important social, economic, and environmental benefits. It supports mental wellbeing and social connection, brings much needed spending to local communities, and encourages responsible waste management and care for the environment.
Infrastructure investment
Ongoing investment by local and central government in public infrastructure such as rubbish, dump station, and toilet facilities is essential. NZMCA financially supports certain infrastructure investment through its dump station subsidy scheme and Greenfund programme.
Summary
NZMCA supports a balanced, evidence-based approach to freedom camping that upholds the rights of our members and New Zealanders, enables responsible camping to help protect communities and the environment, and ensures local authorities comply with the law. Good faith collaboration, not outright prohibition, is the key to successful long-term management.
Please email james@nzmca.org.nz with any feedback or questions.