Plumbers, Gasfitters
and Drainlayers Board
Private vehicle owners
In general, you can only freedom camp on local authority land if your vehicle is certified as self-contained. From now, until 7 June 2026, that means if you want to freedom camp your vehicle must have either a 'blue warrant' certificate of self-containment, or a 'green warrant' certificate of self-containment under the new system.
Note: The certification process for self-containment is separate from the processes relating to a vehicle’s warrant of fitness or low volume vehicle certification. In particular, any modifications made to a vehicle for the purposes of self-containment (or otherwise) may need a low volume vehicle certification. For more information, visit the Waka Kotahi website.
Freedom camping rules during the transitional period
MBIE has published guidance on the key changes to freedom camping rules in New Zealand.
Visit MBIE’s freedom camping guidance
Blue warrants
There are different rules around the current certification scheme (blue warrants) that you need to consider.
If your vehicle is already certified as self-contained (with an existing blue warrant card) then you can continue to freedom camp until your blue warrant expires or until 7 June 2026 (whichever date comes first).
From 7 June 2024, if your blue warrant expires or you need a new warrant, you will need to be certified under the new green warrant system. Blue warrants will stop being valid on 7 June 2026. From then, all vehicles must be certified under the new green warrant card system.
Please note: the Board does not regulate the blue warrant system and we are unable to take any action in response to complaints about blue warrants.
Green warrants
If you are seeking to have your vehicle certified as self-contained under the new green warrant requirements, you need to have your vehicle certified by a Certification Authority. Visit the Register to find a Certification Authority operating in your region. This certification will be valid for four years.
To receive a green warrant, your vehicle must meet requirements in relation to its water supply system, fixed toilet, wastewater system, ventilation system, sink, and rubbish storage.
We’ve created a flowchart that helps you understand how the green and blue warrants operate during the transitional period, and to help you understand the rules around freedom camping in New Zealand.
Green stickers have no legal status in the new certification system
Green stickers are not part of the self-containment documentation issued by certification authorities under the new ‘green warrant’ self-containment certification system and have no legal status.
Under the ‘green warrant’ system, a certification authority issues a self-containment certificate and warrant card if satisfied the vehicle meets the requirements in the Act and Regulations, and the person applying for the certificate has paid the levy.
Green stickers are not part of the self-containment documentation because it was considered that a generic sticker was ineffective as it showed no specific details about the certified vehicle and could therefore be stuck on any vehicle regardless of its self-containment facilities and certification status. Counterfeit stickers could easily be made and there were concerns that the previous problems with the blue self-containment sticker could persist if another generic sticker was used.
Importantly, Council enforcement officers will only be interested in the display of a valid green warrant card and whether the vehicle is certified self-contained on the national register.
Certification requirements for SCVs
To be certified as self-contained under the green warrant system, vehicles must have a fixed toilet and must meet other requirements in relation to the vehicle's water supply system, wastewater system, ventilation system, sink, and rubbish storage. We’ve created an infographic summarising the different requirements vehicles need to meet.
The detail of the requirements is contained in the Act and the Regulations. The Vehicle inspection guidance (aimed at Vehicle Inspectors and Certification Authorities) may also be helpful in understanding the requirements contained in the Regulations.
Certification Authorities will collect personal information about you as the owner of the vehicle (or applicant, if different from the owner) during the certification process. This information is collected so that the Certification Authority can send your warrant card and certificate if not issued immediately following certification, and to enter the vehicle owner’s name and address into the Register. Information must be collected in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
Certification of smaller vehicles
All vehicles (big or small) must meet the self-containment requirements prescribed in the Act and Regulations in order to be certified as self-contained under the new green warrant system. While this may be more difficult in a smaller vehicle it is still possible. The legislation was not intended to exclude vehicles based on size, however the requirements must still be met in order to use the vehicle for freedom camping.
Where to get certified
Visit the Register to find a Certification Authority operating in your region.
Can I get my vehicle inspected remotely?
While the legislation does not specify that a vehicle must be inspected in-person, the Board’s expectation is that vehicle inspections are carried out in-person wherever possible.
Cost of certification
Certification Authorities may charge a fee for inspecting and certifying your vehicle. In addition, you will need to pay the $120 (incl GST) SCV levy to the Certification Authority. The SCV levy is transferred to the Board and is intended to cover the costs of the Board in performing or exercising our functions, powers and duties.