Freedom Camping Bylaw review 2024

Kia ora Bette 

The parking restrictions that are being introduced on Park Street and Lake Esplanade apply to all road users, including residents of these streets. The restrictions will improve turnover of traffic and will allow more equitable provision of daytime parking for all users of these lakefront streets and recreational areas.

When the last bylaw was quashed, timings associated with reviewing and updating the soon-to-expire earlier bylaw were replaced with a timeline to create an entirely new bylaw. 

Last September we gave approximate timeframes to keep interested parties informed. As we mentioned in our earlier response, the length of time is due to several factors including research, working with subject matter experts and stakeholders, timing of formal consultation, and timing of the multiple Council meetings required. The timeframe we’re working to is both appropriate and necessary to allow for a robust and fair outcome.

Thank you for your interest in this. We encourage you to participate in the public consultation when the draft bylaw is published. 

Kā mihi

Let's Talk team 

Hi Bette

The yearly Ambassador programme provides education to visiting campers over the busy summer season to help them camp responsibly and to make them feel welcome in the district. The programme finished after Anzac weekend. 

Monitoring is done year-round by appropriate warranted officers under the Freedom Camping Act, Land Transport Act and QLDC Traffic and Parking Bylaw.  

The recently approved parking restrictions were in response to parking challenges. Over the last few months, we’ve received a growing number of reports about parking issues on Park Street and Lake Esplanade. Vehicles remaining in these areas over an extended period affect the availability of parking for residents and other users. The new restrictions ensure parking in these areas serve our community and recreational users of these significant and much-loved lakefront locations.

The bylaw is on track to be made before summer as was always intended and communicated to the community. There is no delay. 

In general, a bylaw development process takes between 12 months and two years and must follow central government legislative requirements. This length of time is due to several factors including research, working with subject matter experts and stakeholders, timing of formal consultation, and timing of the multiple Council meetings required.

The timeframe we’re working to is both appropriate and necessary to allow for a robust and fair outcome. As previously mentioned, the process will include community engagement which you are encouraged to participate in. The feedback we get will be considered as part of the bylaw development process. 

Kā mihi

Let’s Talk team 

Hi Bette

Thanks for your query. 

Our intention has been to prepare a new freedom camping bylaw ahead of summer 2025. We are on track to achieve this. Apologies for any confusion caused as we move through this challenging process. We intend to consult the community from early July for one month. 

Keep an eye on our Freedom Camping Bylaw Let’s Talk page for up-to-date information. During the consultation, the webpage will include access to relevant information and the opportunity to make submissions.

Kā mihi

Let's Talk team 

Kia ora 

Council officers who enforce, including by issuing infringements to campers, are warranted under the Freedom Camping Act and the Reserves Act. The Council officers who are warranted under the Freedom Camping Act assess vehicles’ self-containment status via the blue and green certification labels affixed to the vehicle, to ensure people only camp (where permitted to) in local authority areas using certified self-contained vehicles.

Council officers have access to an online database of registrations that have been certified under the new self-containment rules (vehicles with green stickers). While blue stickers are excluded from this database, legislation was updated in December 2024 to require all rental vehicles to be certified with a green warrant. Private vehicles will soon also be required to be certified with a green warrant.

Infringements issued under the Freedom Camping Act and Reserves Act have specific provisions for payment. Neither includes provisions for immediate on the spot payments. Fines can be paid online or via internet banking. Council may enforce payment for an infringement notice as is the case with any tickets validly issued by a regulatory body.  

Kā mihi

Let's Talk Team

Kia ora Timotei

Most council reserves are not permitted for freedom camping and fines may be issued for rule breakers.

Our Responsible Camping Map shows council reserve locations (that are prohibited for camping under the Reserves Act), campsites (including responsible camping sites), and public facilities across the district. 

Note that camping on other reserves managed by Department of Conservation may be restricted or prohibited and that camping is not permitted anywhere on LINZ land in the Queenstown Lakes region.

Freedom camping is permitted only if your vehicle is certified self-contained with a valid warrant. Parking rules and common sense always apply, and 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.

Learn more about Freedom Camping in the district by reading the FAQs or by visiting our Responsible Camping Webpage.

Kā mihi

Let’s Talk Team

Hi Lorraine

There is a waiver application online where you can lodge a dispute to an infringement: Parking Ticket Waiver Request

Or you can email services@qldc.govt.nz and it will be directed to the correct channels to be looked into.

Kā mihi,

Let's Talk team 

Hi Bruce

While responsible campers are welcome in our district, they must ensure they do so in accordance with all applicable requirements.  People choosing to freedom camp are themselves responsible for ensuring they are doing so within the rules. Those rules are set by several authorities, of which Council is one. 

To assist responsible campers, we use ‘no camping’ signage, along with maps, and education campaigns. We also provide a resources webpage at https://www.qldc.govt.nz/responsible-camping and are in the process of developing a responsible camping map that will show Council reserves prohibited for camping. The map will be available at the above link shortly.

Freedom campers need to check whether other restrictions still apply. These include traffic and parking restrictions (which are typically sign posted), and Reserves Act restrictions. Council reserves remain prohibited for freedom camping under the Reserves Act. Our focus will be on ensuring clear signage at these prohibited locations, in particular high-use public reserves.

The Freedom Camping Act 2011 states that freedom camping in a local authority area is permitted unless it is prohibited by a bylaw or other legislation. As the QLDC 2021 Freedom Camping Bylaw has been quashed, those restrictions are lifted, and we are updating a wide range of signage related to freedom camping to reflect this. This includes the removal of several no-camping signs. 

The changes to signage and maps are significant and will take some time.  We will continue providing more information before summer to give greater awareness of freedom camping options. 

Hope this helps.

Kā Mihi

Let’s Talk Team

Kia ora Bruce

Thank you for your query. The Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 restricted freedom camping in a number of local authority areas in the district. Without the bylaw, those restrictions are lifted.

The Court is going to make a later ruling about how its decision will take effect in respect of the 2021 Bylaw. In the meantime, QLDC has paused enforcement under the 2021 Freedom Camping Bylaw.

Signage, maps and other public information are being updated as a priority to ensure they aligns with the Court decision. This will include removing signage that no longer applies, and updating signage in reserves where camping is not permitted.

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

Please note:

• To freedom camp, vehicles must be certified self-contained, with a valid warrant.
• Council recreational reserves are not permitted for freedom camping (under the Reserves Act). Our signage and maps are in the process of being updated.  
• Public land, including the plants, animals, soil and water, must never be damaged and people causing damage will be committing an offence. 

Regarding road reserves, many areas, especially around the built-up areas of towns, have traffic and parking restrictions, and these still apply. These areas are typically signposted. 

Safety rules and common sense always apply, and 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.

Kā mihi
Let’s Talk team 

Kia ora Bette 

Thank you for your query. We welcome responsible camping in our district and have set up this dedicated webpage that provides information, resources, and advice for visitors.

The Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 restricted freedom camping in a number of local authority areas in the district. Without the bylaw, those restrictions are lifted. 

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

• To freedom camp, vehicles must be certified self-contained, with a valid warrant.
• Council Reserves are not permitted for freedom camping (under the Reserves Act).
• Public land, including the plants, animals, soil and water, must never be damaged and people causing damage will be committing an offence. 
• Many areas, especially around the built-up areas of towns, have traffic and parking restrictions, and these still apply.
• Safety rules and common sense still always apply, and 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.

Ngā mihi

Let’s Talk Team

Kia ora Stephanie

Thank you for your query.

Freedom camping is permitted only if your vehicle is certified self-contained, with a toilet and enough fresh and wastewater storage for three days without getting more or dumping waste. Freedom campers should not assume that they can camp on any public land without first checking whether other restrictions apply.

For information about places where you can camp in your car in Queenstown Lakes district, please visit our Responsible Camping webpage. It includes information for both self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles. 

Kind regards,

Let’s Talk team