Freedom camping model bylaw and guidance

This guidance and model bylaw have been developed by Local Government New Zealand, in consultation with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated and Taituarā.

These reflect recent amendments to legislation and case law and are intended to support councils in the development, review, and administration of bylaws which relate to the Freedom Camping Act 2011 (FCA). Amendments made to the FCA largely came into force on 7 June 2023. However, there is a transitional period before the new certification for self-contained motor vehicles and related provisions come into force.

The guidance is available here.

Two versions of the new model bylaw are available:

• one which highlights the changes to the 2018 model bylaw
• one without these changes highlighted