Freedom camping changes
Law changes relating to the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act and its Regulations are complete. The final change was made in early 2025 with the transitional period for private vehicles extended to 7 June 2026.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s documentation relating to these law changes can be found here:
Documentation relating to the freedom camping law reforms(external link)
The review of the effect of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 on homelessness is complete. The report to the House of Representatives is available on Parliament’s website.
Report on the effect of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 on homelessness(external link) — New Zealand Parliament PāreMata Aotearoa
More information
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board is the regulator of the self-contained vehicle system. See their website for information on what is needed to certify your vehicle, where to go to get certified and information for organisations looking to become certification authorities.
Self-contained vehicles(external link) — Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
Freedom camping(external link) — Department of Conservation
Camping in New Zealand(external link) — Tourism Industry Aotearoa