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.
There are plenty of beautiful camping spots in Christchurch, Akaroa and Banks Peninsula for you to enjoy. To protect our environment we have different rules depending on if you are staying in a tent, car or campervan.
If you are camping in a tent or sleeping in a vehicle without facilities, you need to stay in a camping ground that has facilities you can use.
If your campervan is certified self-contained, with a toilet, wastewater and rubbish facilities on board, you may freedom camp in some areas in Christchurch, Akaroa and Bank Peninsula.
Our campgrounds offer a range of different experiences from small, relaxed seaside sites to larger fully serviced holiday parks. All our campgrounds welcome different ways of camping, from tents to campervans.
Visit a camping ground:
Camping is not allowed in any Council park or reserve unless it’s one of the four camping grounds listed above.
The map below shows you where you can and can’t freedom camp, as well as camping grounds, dump stations, rubbish and recycling facilities, and public toilet locations.
This map shows where freedom camping is prohibited or restricted by the Council’s Freedom Camping Bylaw. The bylaw only applies to land under the Council's control or management (not to private land or land managed by other agencies - for example, the Department of Conservation prohibits freedom camping at Godley Head).
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.
The Freedom Camping Act allows for the Council to issue infringement fines ranging from $200 to $800 for breaches of the Freedom Camping Act or the Council’s Freedom Camping Bylaw
Full details are in the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021(external link).
Freedom Camping Infringements can be paid in person or by phone.
You can pay an infringement fine at any Customer Service Hub(external link).
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.
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.
The law has changed. Anyone freedom camping on council land in a vehicle must use a self-contained vehicle. This applies across New Zealand.
A self-contained vehicle has onboard facilities for camping. It must have a certificate of self-containment and a warrant card displayed in the front windscreen.
Existing requirements | New Zealand Standard: Self-containment of motor caravans and caravans (NZS 5465:2001) | Blue Warrant Card |
New requirements | Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Regulations 2023 | Green Warrant Card |
The new regulator for self-contained vehicles is the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Visit pgdb.co.nz(external link) for more information about the new system and how to get a green warrant card.
Here are some of the things you need to know to avoid getting a fine.
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.
Councils have enforcement officers who check on freedom camping. They are there to help and can give you information about where to camp.
Be responsible campers and help us to protect our environment.
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).
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)
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.
If you want to give us a suggestion, compliment or complaint, you can provide feedback.