FAQs

The Freedom Camping Act 2011 (the Act) regulates freedom camping on land controlled or managed by local authorities (such as QLDC) that is within 200m of a road or Great Walks Track.  

The Act enables freedom camping on any local authority area (and NZTA land), unless it is restricted or prohibited under a freedom camping bylaw made under section 11 of the Act.  The effect of this is that if there is no bylaw, freedom camping on any local authority and NZTA (NZ Transport Authority) land is permitted. 

The Act gives local authorities the ability to manage freedom camping through a bylaw. 

A freedom camping bylaw is a document created by QLDC to regulate freedom camping. Section 11 of the Freedom Camping Act 2011 (the Act) provides for local authorities (such as QLDC) to create freedom camping bylaws to protect: 

Freedom camping bylaws can do one or more of the following: 

Section 12 of the Freedom Camping Act 2011 prevents local authorities (such as QLDC) from applying blanket prohibitions on freedom camping across entire districts.  

A freedom camping bylaw can only regulate freedom camping on land that is controlled or managed by local authorities (such as QLDC) or NZTA land. Freedom camping bylaws can not regulate freedom camping on private land or land owned by any other public authority.  

A freedom camping bylaw cannot regulate camping on land classified as a reserve (such as a local park or sports ground). The Reserves Act 1977 prevents camping on any reserve land.   

The draft bylaw proposes to manage freedom camping on QLDC controlled or managed land (and some land owned by NZTA). The draft bylaw does this in the following ways: 

QLDC engaged external consultants at Tonkin and Taylor (TT) to undertake an expert technical analysis of the effects that freedom camping. TT were engaged to ensure independent expert advice was provided across a range of different disciplines that QLDC does not have available internally.  

A freedom camping bylaw cannot regulate camping on land classified as a reserve (such as a local park or sports ground). The Reserves Act 1977 prevents freedom camping on any reserve land.  

Camping on reserve land can be managed by way of delegation from the Minister of Conservation to remove the default status that prevents camping. Alternatively, QLDC can prepare or amend reserve management plans for a reserve to provide for camping on the land.  

The Freedom Camping Act 2011 does not provide for freedom camping bylaws to regulate Department of Conservation or Land Information New Zealand land. In contrast, the Freedom Camping Act 2011 does provide for New Zealand Transport Agency land to be regulated in freedom camping bylaws. 

The draft bylaw does not prevent any person from parking in any carparking space identified for a freedom camping vehicle. However, it is intended that theses spaces are available to freedom campers during the identified overnight hours. 

QLDC Summer Ambassadors will work through the peak summer months, visiting the proposed restricted spaces as well as popular freedom camping spots, and community reserves to educate campers on the new bylaw rules and the ‘dos and do nots’ of responsible camping. This proactive education approach will be supported by enforcement when required. 

QLDC will monitor and enforce any freedom camping bylaw in accordance with the Enforcement Strategy and Prosecution Policy 2021. During the peak summer period when freedom camping is most popular, the restricted freedom camping areas will be visited on nighttime patrols regularly.

The draft bylaw identifies the district’s rural roads (ie roads outside of built up residential, town centre, commercial and business areas) as restricted freedom camping areas. This means freedom camping can take place on these roads where they meet the conditions specified in the draft bylaw. To freedom camp on a rural road, the following conditions must be met: 

QLDCs draft bylaw can only regulate freedom camping on roads that are controlled or managed by QLDC or NZTA. The draft bylaw cannot regulate freedom camping on any private land or roads.  

QLDC will be consulting the public on the draft bylaw from 8 July to 8 August 2025. During this period, people are encouraged to make a submission using QLDCs online survey at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz. 

Anyone can make a submission. Submissions can also be received in writing by post or hand delivery, or via email (letstalk@qldc.govt.nz) but we recommend your submission be made using the online survey. 

We’ll be hosting a range of community engagement sessions to share more information about what’s being proposed, answer any questions you may have, and take your feedback if you’d prefer to share it in person.

More details will be shared soon so watch this space, but our current plans for sessions include:

Monday 14 July
5.00pm – 7.00pm
Drop-in session: Queenstown Events Centre

Tuesday 15 July
5.00pm – 7.00pm
Drop-in session: Wānaka Recreation Centre

Monday 28 July
12.00pm - 1.00pm
Online webinar: Registration will be required

The dates below outline the timetable for the bylaw development process. Any changes to these dates will be publicly advised on Council’s Facebook page and website. 

QLDC engaged external consultants at Tonkin and Taylor (TT) to undertake an expert technical analysis of the effects that freedom camping has on the values of land controlled or managed by QLDC (and select NZTA sites).  This analysis has informed the development of a robust, specific suite of actions available to Council to appropriately manage the problems associated with freedom camping in terms of protection of access, health and safety and/or the values of the subject areas.  

QLDC also considered a range of other data sources, including requests for service and responsible camping survey data to understand observed and on the ground issues associated with freedom camping across the district. 

QLDC staff engaged with Councillors to help guide the development of a draft bylaw.  

The Council made the decision to adopt the draft bylaw at its meeting on 26 June 2025.  

Signage, maps and other public information has been updated to ensure it aligns with the High Court decision. 

This has been supported by a strong focus on education, with an emphasis on responsible camping practices and the new self-containment certifications. Our summer ambassadors will be tasked with engaging with visitors, heading to popular freedom camping spots to share information on how to camp responsibly, local expectations and promoting local campgrounds nearby. 

More information can be found on the Responsible Camping webpage: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/recreation/responsible-camping-in-the-queenstown-lakes-district/ 

QLDC's Responsible Camping Strategy 2022 – 2027 provides a non-regulatory approach to help manage freedom camping. Its principles aim to help campers respect the environment, support communities, and enjoy the district’s landscapes sustainably.  

In addition, QLDC will explore new sites for low-cost and freedom camping, separate to a freedom camping bylaw. The strategy involves more than just a bylaw; options will be presented to Council to explore various opportunities and their legal and financial implications. Some areas of reserve land may be considered for low-cost and/or freedom camping as part of this investigation.  

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) filed a court application (judicial review) challenging the QLDC Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021. The NZMCA argued that QLDC’s bylaw was invalid. 

The focus of the judicial review was on QLDC’s consideration of irrelevant matters when analysing and selecting potential sites for restricting or prohibiting freedom camping. The NZMCA argued that QLDC should not have considered the effect that freedom camping at a site may have on the neighbouring land, including: 

- the effect on the neighbour’s enjoyment of their land, 

- the effect on the neighbour’s businesses and their land values, and 

- the physical effects where, for example, freedom campers dump waste and rubbish on neighbouring land and streams. 

The Court found that Council took into account irrelevant considerations about the impact of freedom camping on neighbouring areas in determining to restrict freedom camping within the areas of the bylaw. The Court held that when imposing restrictions, councils must only consider issues relating to access, safety and protection of the land where the freedom camping is being carried out, it cannot consider the effect on neighbouring land (irrespective of whether the land neighbouring land is residential, commercial, a river, conservation land etc). 

After declaring the bylaw invalid, the Court proceeded to issue a quashing order with effect from 20 September 2024. The High Court decision can be found here. 

The Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 provided for restricted freedom camping (freedom camping allowed with conditions) in a number of areas in the district, and prohibited freedom camping in other areas. Without the bylaw, the restricted and prohibited areas no longer apply. 

Freedom campers should not assume that they can camp on any public land without first checking whether other restrictions apply.  

There are still other laws and rules that apply and these will remain part of Council’s Responsible Camping education programme. This includes: 

- Many areas, especially around the built-up areas of towns, have traffic and parking restrictions, and these still apply. 

- Vehicles must be certified self-contained, with a toilet and enough fresh and wastewater storage for three days without getting more or dumping waste. 

- It is an offence to say your vehicle is self-contained when it isn’t. A certified self-contained vehicle will display a current warrant card on the front left bottom windscreen, which will include the lawful number allowed to sleep in the vehicle. 

- Freedom camping is not permitted on QLDCs reserve land (such as local parks or sports grounds) under the Reserves Act 1977 . These restrictions still apply.  

- Public land, including the plants, animals, soil and water, must never be damaged and people causing damage will be committing an offence. 

- Safety rules and common sense always apply. People should never freedom camp in a place that is unsafe to themselves or other people, or in a way that interferes with public access. 

No. In 2021 Council resolved to revoke the 2019 Bylaw and replace it with the 2021 Bylaw. 

The bylaw was quashed by the High Court, which means Council will not be issuing fines under the bylaw.  

There are other restrictions (outlined above) that still apply. Council will continue to issue fines for breaches of other requirements, such as camping in a reserve or in a vehicle that is not certified self-contained. Campers need to ensure that they follow applicable rules at all times. 

Freedom campers are encouraged to read and understand any rules or restrictions and local community expectations for responsible camping. More information can be found in question 5 and on the Responsible Camping webpage: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/recreation/responsible-camping-in-the-queenstown-lakes-district/ 

Infringements will not be refunded. The Court made it clear that the order did not have retrospective effect, which means that tickets issued prior to 20 September 2024 are valid.