Proposed amendments to Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025

Consultation has begun on a proposal to amend the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025 | Ture ā-Rohe mō te Noho Puni Korehere 2025.

The proposed amendments would:

• Permanently prohibit freedom camping at the Allenby Place carpark.
• Prohibit freedom camping at the Beacon Point Road carpark during December, January and February each year.
• Increase designated freedom camping spaces at the Wānaka Recreation Centre from 18 to 21 spaces.

The Statement of Proposal is available here

Responsible camping spaces to protect our places

The 2025 Bylaw came into effect on 1 December 2025, and this allows freedom camping in self-contained vehicles in 15 restricted freedom camping areas in the district, while prohibiting camping in remaining urban areas and allowing camping in rural areas, provided certain conditions are met.

Click here to view the adopted Bylaw.

To find out where and how the current Bylaw applies, click here to use our interactive map.

Consultation options

This consultation only covers the current restricted freedom camping areas at Beacon Point Road carpark, Allenby Place carpark and Wānaka Recreation Centre carpark. You are welcome to give feedback on the 2025 Bylaw more generally or on other locations, but that feedback will not lead to any further changes through this consultation process. Your feedback will still be passed on to Council, who may ask for further reports on the issues raised.

Please read the following key documents before making a submission below.

• Statement of Proposal
• Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025
• Proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw Amendments 2025

Consultation closes on Monday 31 August 2026.

Got a question?

If you have a question, please submit it on the tool below and we'll get it answered as soon as possible. All questions and answers will be published for everyone to see.

What happens next?

• 27-28 October 2026 - Oral submissions will be heard by the Council Hearing Panel
• 17 December 2026 - Deliberations and adoption by Council