Ever since its founding in 1956 by a small group of enthusiasts, the association has made it its mission to advance these interests by providing relevant services and information, promoting fellowship and strongly advocating for vehicle safety, road courtesy and protection of the environment.
Our members receive benefits including, but not limited to, discounts on services and products, free and low cost overnight sites, a dedicated insurance scheme and a range of handy publications & digital resources.
The Association is a national body headed by a Board of Directors.
In the early 1970's several Area Representatives were appointed and in 1978, Area Committeeswere formed. Initially, Area Committees had a social function; organising rallies and working bees etc. Gradually, their responsibilities evolved to include producing their own newsletters and working with local councils and businesses to further motor caravanning in their district. That same year saw the establishment of a National Office which located to NZMCA-owned premises in Takanini, Auckland in 1995 where it is still located to this day.
In 2016, the Board created the position of CEO who is responsible to the Board for the overall administration of the affairs of the Association with Bruce Lochore as the first one to occupy it. The current president of the Association is Sharron King who holds the distinction of being the Association's first-ever female president after being elected in 2020.
It was 1958 when the Association first set up a group insurance scheme at a time when most companies would not even insure motor caravans. Today, the NZMCA’s insurance scheme is called Covi NZMCA Insurance.
The idea of Self Containment was first mooted in 1973, adopted in 1976, and then developed until being accepted as a NZ Standard in the early 90's. In 1993, the Technical Sub-committee though government legislation, effected the official adoption of the Low Volume Vehicle Code for motor caravans. In 2000, the NZMCA spent over $40,000 in having the NZ Standard upgraded to the present version NZS 5465:2001. In 2017, a new funding for a review of the standard put into effect a significant amendment; that Certified Self-Containment (CSC) documentation will only be issued to vehicles that have a toilet that is able to be used inside the vehicle, even with the bed made up.
Since 1991, the NZMCA has been building a unique network of overnight parking locations on private land throughout New Zealand that welcome our members, and provide a safe place for them to park overnight.
Today, POPs provide more than just a safe place to park overnight but have become opportunities to sample a wide variety of New Zealand experiences at little or no cost. The range of property types run from residential sites, business premises, golf clubs to sites of historical and tourist interest.
The scheme strives to encourage the development of useful amenities to towns across the country as well as helping to organise and promote certified self-contained parking at a diverse range of interesting events, including: festivals, motor-racing, concerts, airshows and more.