National guide
Freedom Camping in New Zealand: Rules and Spots Near Each of Our 20 Cities
Freedom camping rules are set council by council, and they change. Each Explore city keeps a freedom camping map built from its councils' and DOC's own pages. Here's what each one covers, with a few of the best-known spots, and the national rules that apply everywhere.
The rules everywhere
- Council land needs a self-contained vehicle. If you sleep in a vehicle on council land, it must be certified self-contained. Since 7 June 2026, only a green warrant counts: the old blue warrants are no longer recognised, and vehicles with a portable toilet can’t be certified.
- Fines. Camping on public land without a green warrant can mean a $400 infringement notice. Councils, DOC and LINZ all enforce the rules on their land.
- DOC land is different. On conservation land you can freedom camp except where it’s prohibited or restricted, and scenic and recreation reserves need a DOC campsite. See DOC’s freedom camping page.
- Each council sets its own sites and limits: how many nights, which hours, whether tents are allowed. That’s what the city guides below cover.
At a glance
| City | Sites on our map | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Whangārei | 19 | Parua Bay: 3 nights |
| Auckland | 17 | Rules vary by site |
| Pukekohe | 24 | Two councils' rules |
| Hamilton | 9 | Porritt Stadium in town |
| Tauranga | 72 | Biggest map we have |
| Rotorua | 7 | Self-contained only |
| Taupō | 7 | Certificate at most sites |
| Gisborne | 5 | Permits up the coast |
| Napier | 18 | Perfume Point: 2 nights |
| Hastings | 20 | Beach or river |
| New Plymouth | 10 | Lake Rotomanu |
| Whanganui | 7 | Moutoa Quay in town |
| Palmerston North | 33 | Lots of riverside sites |
| Wellington | 28 | Owhiro Bay: 4 nights |
| Nelson | 13 | City car parks |
| Blenheim | 5 | Wynen St: 1 night |
| Christchurch | 6 | Akaroa: 18 spaces |
| Timaru | 5 | Caroline Bay: $20 |
| Dunedin | – | Check signs on site |
| Invercargill | 12 | Tents at some sites |
North Island
Northland
Freedom camping around Whangārei
- 19 sites and dump stations
- Whangārei District and DOC
Spots range from four marked self-contained spaces at Whangārei Falls to Parua Bay, with about 15 spaces, harbour views and a 3-night limit. Onerahi Beach Road Reserve takes about four vehicles for one night, and DOC's Uretiti campsite sits behind the dunes on Bream Bay.
Auckland Council
Freedom camping around Auckland
- 17 council sites
- Plus regional park campgrounds
Designated council sites include Hingaia Reserve at Karaka, the Gulf Harbour Marina reserve and Parry Kauri Park in Warkworth (2 nights). Many regional parks have their own campgrounds. Some Maraetai spots are now prohibited or restricted, so check before you go.
Franklin and North Waikato
Freedom camping around Pukekohe
- 24 sites
- Auckland and Waikato District
The map covers both Auckland Council and Waikato District Council land. The Hūnua Ranges have regional park campgrounds and self-contained parking. Approved spots change often, so check the council site before travelling.
Waikato
Freedom camping around Hamilton
- 9 sites and dump stations
- Hamilton, Waipā and DOC
In the city, the designated spot is at Porritt Stadium, with set rules for streets elsewhere. Kaniwhaniwha in Pirongia Forest Park, a short drive away, has a campsite with stream swimming and limestone caves.
Bay of Plenty
Freedom camping around Tauranga
- 72 sites and dump stations
- Tauranga City and Western Bay
The biggest freedom camping map in the network, covering Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty, with McLaren Falls among the spots. As everywhere, sleeping in a vehicle on council land needs a certified self-contained vehicle, and the map shows the dump stations too.
Rotorua Lakes
Freedom camping around Rotorua
- 7 sites and dump stations
- Self-contained only
Every Rotorua site is for certified self-contained vehicles. The Hinemoa Street car park opposite the Polynesian Spa has 17 free spaces (2 nights a month), and Trout Pool Road by Okere Falls has 5. Lake Ōkaro is paid and takes tents.
Lake Taupō
Freedom camping around Taupō
- 7 sites and dump stations
- Taupō District and DOC
The Huka-Aratiatia Dam car park near Huka Falls is free for self-contained vehicles (4 nights a month, drop toilet), and Reid's Farm is the other well-known spot. DOC's free Clements Mill Road sites are out in Kaimanawa Forest Park.
Tairāwhiti
Freedom camping around Gisborne
- 5 council sites
- Plus East Coast spots
The Bright Street car park in town takes self-contained vehicles for up to 3 nights, with hot showers nearby. Makorori, 12 km out, and the Midway Beach surf club car park are by the sea. Up the coast, Tokomaru Bay and Pouawa have summer permit seasons.
Hawke's Bay
Freedom camping around Napier
- 18 sites and dump stations
- 2025 bylaw
Napier's 2025 bylaw allows certified self-contained vehicles at set spots such as Perfume Point at Ahuriri (four spaces, 2 nights) and the BMX pump track car park on Marine Parade. Breaking the rules can mean an instant fine. Lake Tūtira has a free DOC campsite and a $15 regional park campground.
Hawke's Bay
Freedom camping around Hastings
- 20 sites and dump stations
- Hastings District, DOC
Choose between the beachfront at Clifton Road Reserve near Cape Kidnappers, the riverside at Puketapu Domain or Dartmoor Bridge (no toilets), and Evers-Swindell Reserve at Clive, between Napier and Hastings.
Taranaki
Freedom camping around New Plymouth
- 10 sites and dump stations
- Strict council rules
Lake Rotomanu has a lakeside site under strict New Plymouth District Council rules, and Battiscombe Terrace in Waitara is a designated beachside spot.
Whanganui
Freedom camping around Whanganui
- 7 sites and dump stations
- Free in town
Moutoa Quay, in the middle of town by the river, has free camping for certified self-contained vehicles. The city guide also covers the council's rules for the rest of the district.
Manawatū and Horowhenua
Freedom camping around Palmerston North
- 33 sites and dump stations
- Five councils
Spread across five councils: riverside spots like Woodville Ferry Reserve at the Manawatū Gorge (3 nights, toilets), Bartletts Ford on the Pohangina River and Ashhurst Domain, plus a self-contained site at Victoria Park in Feilding.
Wellington, Kāpiti and Wairarapa
Freedom camping around Wellington
- 28 sites and dump stations
- Several councils and DOC
Te Kopahou Reserve at Owhiro Bay has 16 self-contained spaces (4 nights), the Evans Bay Marina car park in Kilbirnie is a designated city site, and the Kāpiti Coast runs sustainable camping spots at Paraparaumu and Raumati beaches. Some sites change by season, so check before you go.
South Island
Nelson Tasman
Freedom camping around Nelson
- 13 sites and dump stations
- Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, DOC
In the city, the Buxton car park and nearby sites take certified self-contained vehicles. Motueka has three Tasman council sites and a free dump station, and Pelorus Bridge has DOC camping in river-flat native forest.
Marlborough
Freedom camping around Blenheim
- 5 council sites
- Plus DOC campsites
Central Blenheim has one site, the Wynen Street car park (one night, 6pm to 9am). Renwick Domain takes 20 self-contained vehicles for up to 2 nights, and Taylor Dam is 10 km south. DOC campsites at Whites Bay, Robin Hood Bay and Marfells Beach cover the coast.
Canterbury and Banks Peninsula
Freedom camping around Christchurch
- 6 sites and dump stations
- Christchurch, Selwyn, Waimakariri
Akaroa has 18 marked spaces at the boat park, and Awaroa/Godley Head is a dramatic headland camp near Sumner. Selwyn's free riverside spots at Coes Ford and Chamberlains Ford close in winter and have a 28-day limit.
South Canterbury
Freedom camping around Timaru
- 5 sites and dump stations
- Timaru and Waimate
Caroline Bay has $20 self-contained sites with sea views and little blue penguins at dusk. Free riverside spots include Arundel Bridge, Winchester Bridge and Milford Lagoon; check each one's stay limit.
Otago
Freedom camping around Dunedin
- Designated sites only
- Dunedin City
Ocean View Recreation Reserve just south of the city and the Thomas Burns Street car park in town are designated spots. Check the council rules and the signs before you stay.
Southland and the Catlins
Freedom camping around Invercargill
- 12 sites and dump stations
- Southland District
Colac Bay / Ōraka is the popular beach spot, Orepuki (Monkey Island) sits on Te Waewae Bay, and Waikawa is in the Catlins. Thornbury and Dunsdale allow tents, and Dunsdale closes over winter.
Before you go
- Check the council page on the day. Sites open, close and change limits, sometimes by season. Each city guide links to the council and DOC pages it was built from.
- Use the dump stations. Never empty grey or black water anywhere else. The city maps show the dump stations.
- Leave no trace. Take your rubbish with you, and keep to the marked spaces and times.
Questions people ask
Can you freedom camp anywhere in New Zealand?
No. On council land you can only camp where the council allows it, and only in a certified self-contained vehicle. On DOC land it’s allowed except in prohibited or restricted areas. Private land needs the owner’s permission.
Is a blue warrant still valid?
No. Since 7 June 2026, only green warrants are recognised for self-contained freedom camping.
Can you freedom camp in a tent?
Not on most council sites, which are for self-contained vehicles. Some sites allow tents, such as Thornbury and Dunsdale near Invercargill and Lake Ōkaro near Rotorua, and DOC campsites take tents.
What is the fine for freedom camping?
Camping on public land without a green warrant can bring a $400 infringement notice, and breaking a council’s bylaw can bring other fines.
Looking for more in one city? See all 20 Explore city guides. Also see Beaches in New Zealand.