Freedom Camping means to camp (outside of a camping ground) within 200 m of an area accessible by motor vehicle, or within 200m of the mean low-water springs line of any sea or harbour, or on or within 200m of a formed road or a Great Walks Track, using a tent, temporary structure, or a motor vehicle. 

It does not include staying at a camping ground, temporary or short-term parking of a motor vehicle, day trips, resting or sleeping at the roadside to avoid driver fatigue, or people who are homeless and as a result need to sleep in their vehicle.

The Freedom Camping Act 2011 (the Act) defines freedom camping as staying for free in a vehicle or tent, within 200 metres of where you can drive, the coast or a Great Walks Track. More information about freedoom camping nationally can be viewed here: mbie.govt.nz/freedomcamping

Currently the Matamata-Piako District Council does not currently have a Freedom Camping Bylaw and does not have an effective tool to manage freedom camping in the District. Council has a responsibility to protect the areas it manages within the District, including access to the areas, as well as the health and safety of people who may visit those areas.

It is important that Council has the tools needed to appropriately manage freedom camping so that local communities and the natural environment do not disproportionately bear the costs of hosting freedom campers. Recent changes to the Freedom Camping Act 2011 aim to ensure everyone who freedom camps in a self-contained vehicle does the right thing and respects our environment and communities.A bylaw will make it easy for everyone to understand where they can and can’t freedom camp in Matamata-Piako.

The bylaw applies to land and roads controlled or managed by Matamata-Piako District Council, that are subject to the Freedom Camping Act. It does not apply to private land or Department of Conservation land.

In the proposed Bylaw, Council have identified some areas that may not be suitable for Freedom Camping, these are the prohibited areas. Council have also identified areas appropriate for Freedom Camping subject to restrictions. See this interactive map for more details.

This means a vehicle that meets the new requirements for self-containment. This has changed from the old system, and the major change is that vehicles must now have a fixed toilet to be certified self-contained.  More information about the changes made to the legislation can be viewed here: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/freedomcamping 

The Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 came into force in June 2023. The legislation makes several changes to the Freedom Camping Act 2011. This includes the requirement for vehicle-based freedom campers to use a certified self-contained vehicle when they stay on council land, unless a council designates the site as suitable for non-self-contained vehicles. The changes also include:

• a new regulated system for the certification and registration of self-contained vehicles
• the requirement for vehicles to have a fixed toilet to be certified as self-contained
• strengthening of the infringement system with the introduction of a new tiered penalty system which entered into force in July 2023

The NZS 5465:2001 provides further requirements for a vehicle to be considered certified self contained

Yes, privately owned land is not subject to the Freedom Camping Act 2011 or this bylaw (as long as you comply with any other rules/regulations which may apply). If it's a commercial operation, then please seek further guidance.

This bylaw will leave room to include areas with 24hr toilet facilities that can accommodate campers without a self-contained status. Currently there have not been any suitable locations found in the region, but this could change in the future. If you have any ideas around suitable areas, please include them in your submission.

The proposed bylaw has a few locations that were previously prohibited in which we are proposing some Freedom Camping to be allowed. The Reserve Management Plan’s for these locations, such as Hetana Street Reserve, need to be amended for consistency / to allow for Freedom Camping.

The following reserve RMPs would be amended by adding the following statement to the Management Intent section of each RMP, “That freedom camping is permitted in self-contained vehicles in designated areas for a maximum of four consecutive nights.” 

• Hetana Street Reserve, Matamata (Passive RMP)
• Waitoa Railway Reserve, Waitoa (Passive RMP)
• Herries Memorial Park, Te Aroha (Active RMP)
• Waihou Recreation Reserve, Waihou (Active RMP)

We are also proposing to remove Te Aroha Domain from Appendix E of the Active RMP, so it is no longer noted as a location which may be appropriate for camping.

See all of our Reserve Management Plans here.

Like the majority of Council’s other bylaws, this will largely be enforced through signage and on a complaints basis. Providing a list of areas appropriate for Freedom Camping and having accurate signage at each location will be an enforcement tool in itself.

However, having a bylaw does give Council the ability to impose infringement fees and fines if people breach the bylaw or the Freedom Camping Act 2011. Fines start from $400 and you can see more information on the infringement offences from MBIE’s here.

Yes absolutely, when you complete your submission there is an option to speak about your submission at a Council hearing, if you select yes you want to attend staff will be in touch to organise a time for this.

Council received funding from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment for the majority of work involved with this Bylaw. There will be some additional costs such as signage and possibly car park painting, but it is has largely been funded through the Ministry.