FAQs

Camping as an activity is managed though a range of other plans, bylaws and legislation. The Council does not currently have a freedom camping bylaw, and as a result, cannot effectively regulate or enforce rules relating to freedom camping.

The Act is permissible by default, which means its starting point is to allow freedom camping on all council controlled or managed land, unless prohibited under other legislation. However, the Act does recognise that some areas under the control or management of councils may not be suitable for freedom camping and enables councils to make a bylaw to protect these areas. 

Freedom camping bylaws can identify areas where freedom camping is prohibited and restricted to manage how and where freedom camping can occur, and what additional conditions may be needed in some areas.  

New Zealand’s freedom camping laws allow camping on all Council land unless it is prohibited through other methods (like a bylaw). We are proposing to put a new bylaw in place that strikes the right balance between attracting and supporting tourism in the Horowhenua, but also protecting special places in our district. This proposed Freedom camping bylaw gives Council a tool to respond to issues relating to freedom camping.

Have your say by filling out a submission form online, or by visiting our Council office. 

Feedback will be considered during the decision-making process and will inform the final bylaw.

There will be an opportunity for people to present their submission at a hearing date scheduled for 5 December 2023. The findings from the consultation period will then be presented to Council at a Workshop on 6 December 2023.

We anticipate the Freedom Camping Bylaw will be adopted at the Council Meeting on 13 December 2023.

• Identify areas where people can't freedom camp (prohibited areas)
• Identify areas where people may freedom camp (restricted areas)
• Restrict Freedom camping to people in self-contained vehicles with a fixed toilet, in line with the rules that will become compulsory in June 2025
• Restrict the number of nights stay for freedom campers in some areas
• Restrict maximum number of vehicles at any given site