Our Freedom Camping Bylaw was made in 2021 under the Freedom Camping Act of 2011. 

See our Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 for more information on freedom camping. 

Freedom camping infringement fees can be paid in person, online or by phone.

In-person

You can pay an infringement fine at any Customer Service Hub(external link).

Online

Payment can be made by bank transfer to the account shown on your ticket. Include your name in the particulars field and the infringement notice number in the reference field.

Phone

You can pay by credit card over the phone 24 hours a day by calling the Council’s Customer Call Centre on 0800 800 169.

Appeal a freedom camping infringement

Apply

The law has changed. Anyone freedom camping on council land in a vehicle must use a self-contained vehicle. This applies across New Zealand.

Self-contained vehicles

A self-contained vehicle has onboard facilities for camping. It must have a certificate of self-containment and a green warrant card displayed in the front windscreen.

• The certification system for self-contained vehicles has also changed.
• To be certified, the vehicle must meet requirements for a fixed toilet, water supply and wastewater systems, and secure rubbish storage.
• The requirements are set in the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Regulations 2023.

What this change means for you

• All vehicles must be certified with a green warrant card.
• If your vehicle is not certified as self-contained, you cannot freedom camp on council land. You need to stay in a camping ground that has facilities you can use.

The regulator for self-contained vehicles is the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Find out more(external link) about the new system and how to get a green warrant card.

We check if vehicles are self-contained by checking the warrant card displayed in the front windscreen, the self-containment certificate and/or by searching the Self-Contained Motor Vehicles Register. 

Here are some of the things you need to know to avoid getting a fine.

These fines are set out in the Freedom Camping (Penalties for Infringement Offences) Regulations 2023. 

Self-contained vehicles

• Freedom camping, or preparing to freedom camp, on council land in a vehicle that is not self-contained ($400).
• Failing to display a valid warrant card for self-containment ($200).
• Displaying or presenting an altered or fraudulent warrant card ($600).
• Freedom camping with more people than the vehicle is certified for ($400).

Protecting our environment

• Damaging plants, animals or structures while freedom camping ($800).
• Not properly disposing of waste while freedom camping ($800).

Freedom camping bylaws

The Freedom Camping Act sets the national rules and lets councils make some local rules, which are set in bylaws. Before you freedom camp, check if the local council has a freedom camping bylaw and if there are things you need to know to avoid a fine.

Christchurch City Council has a freedom camping bylaw. It has areas where freedom camping is not allowed, where your stay is limited,
or where other conditions apply. 

Roadside and public car parking areas where freedom camping is allowed are not intended to accommodate traditional camping set-ups, such as awnings, washing lines, cooking equipment, and tables and chairs – these are better suited to camping grounds. If there are marked parking spaces, the bylaw prohibits campers from taking up more than one parking space with their camping vehicle, equipment or activities.

• Freedom camping, or preparing to freedom camp, in breach of a prohibition or restriction in a bylaw ($400).

Enforcement officers

Councils have enforcement officers who check on freedom camping. They are there to help and can give you information about where to camp.

• Failing or refusing to leave a local authority area when required to do so by an enforcement officer, failing to give your particulars, or giving false information ($600).

Be responsible campers and help us to protect our environment.

• Respect nearby residents and wildlife.
• Park considerately, not blocking any roads, driveways or tracks.
• Use our free public toilets or your onboard toilet. It’s not permitted to go to the toilet beside the road, in the bush, on the ground, on the beach, or in a river, creek or lake.
• Only empty your campervan toilet at a dump station, use our map to find the closest one.
• Take your rubbish with you, or put it into a Council rubbish bin. If the bin is full, please phone us on (03) 941 8999 or 0800 800 169.
• Lighting campfires can pose a risk to the community and the environment, and the rules change from place to place. Use a gas fire if cooking food, and be sure that it is clear of any flammable material.

Freedom camping in the City Coastal area is restricted. The restricted zone runs from Waimairi Beach down to South New Brighton and includes North Beach, North New Brighton and New Brighton (see the zone in yellow on the map, or the bylaw for details). 

The following rules apply to freedom camping in the zone:

• Self-contained vehicles only, valid warrant card and certificate required.
• Four-night maximum stay in any 30-day period, no more than two nights in one place. The second location must be at least 500m from the first location.
• Parking spaces are for vehicles only. No tables, chairs, washing lines, awnings or cooking equipment in parking spaces.
• Vehicles must fit within one parking space. It may not be suitable for large camping vehicles.
• Avoid blocking other people, other vehicles or traffic by leaving doors and boots open.

If you want to spread out and set up camp, stay at a campground. The nearest camping grounds are Spencer Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park(external link) and South Brighton Holiday Park(external link). 

Within the zone, anyone can freedom camp on any roadside, as long as the rules above are followed. You can freedom camp in some off-road car parks in the zone, but not in others – look for signs, and see below for more information, including prohibited areas. 

Weekend and summer events are held regularly in the zone, and parking can be in high demand, particularly at North Beach and near Broad Park/along Broadpark Road. Consider choosing other places in the zone at busy times. 

Much of the City Coastal Restricted Zone is residential, so please be considerate, keep nighttime noise to a minimum and follow all other rules. 

The zone has regular monitoring and enforcement.

Within the City Coastal Restricted Zone, freedom camping is prohibited:

• At North Beach car park at weekends between 1 October and 1 May, 7pm Fridays to 7pm Sundays.
• On the North and South Ramp car parks, either side of New Brighton Pier – these are locked at night.
• On Southshore Spit, south of Caspian Street.

Camping is prohibited in parks and reserves under the Council’s Parks and Reserves Bylaw. The following car parking areas in the zone are within parks or reserves, and are prohibited from camping: 

• The car park off Larnach Street in Broad Park.
• The car park at Waimairi Surf Lifesaving Club.
• The car park off Marine Parade near Bellamy Avenue.
• The car park at South New Brighton Lifesaving Club.
• The car park in South New Brighton Park, excluding the camping ground area.
• The car parks in Rawhiti Domain. 
• The car park in Thomson Park.

Camping in a tent or a vehicle without certified on-board facilities

You need to stay at a campground where there are facilities you can use. Camping in a tent or vehicle without certified on-board facilities is not permitted anywhere in Akaroa or Banks Peninsula.

Full details are in the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021(external link).

Narrow, steep and unsealed roads

Some of the roads in Akaroa and Banks Peninsula are narrow, steep and unsealed with limited places to turn around. For everyone's safety we advise that you don't travel on roads marked 'Not suitable for campervans' or '4WD drive only' unless you are in a suitable vehicle. 

To plan your journey, check the road conditions and get more information, visit journeys.nzta.govt.nz/christchurch(external link)

Campervan parking in Akaroa

Akaroa has narrow streets and limited parking at busy times - for daytime parking, larger vehicles are encouraged to park near the Akaroa boat ramp area. 

Wherever you decide to park, please park considerately, and in a park that is the right size for your vehicle.