It’s been a while, I’m a Kiwi who’s only just found this video as I look for camping tips and ideas, and am wondering if you guys made a following up video on more up to date rules, and why NZ has become more strict with freedom camping? Has a lot changed since this video was posted? How safe is it to do now?
Thank you for the video it is very informative and alot of your information is correct however Rules in new Zealand have changed so much now it's not enjoyable anymore.. although rules and enforcement change from council to council.. I'm a kiwi born and raised and because of a housing shortage I live in a self contained van with my partner and our two dogs, we travel doing seasonal work in both north and south island so have seen rules change alot in the past 4 years they have become extremely strict in the south island.
As a native maori i tell tourists to get a Tino Rangatiratanga flag and put on back window, keep some of my nawty whanau away. Keep Safe and enjoy Our Country of AOTEAROA
Yay! That's when it feels real when you first book your flights! I'm sure you've seen our NZ airport advice video, but just in case -> th-cam.com/video/HQiAx5x7K20/w-d-xo.html (It's not the "what to declare" video that you already commented on ;) )
Thanks a lot for all information! However, in my case, 1. I’m planning to park my car at a proper carpark and will go by walk to along the coast to do some spearfishing&fishing and set my tent near along the coast line. Is it no problem at all to set my tent on the beach and sleep overnight? 2. I’m planning to do some kayaking to a remote island to do some spearfishing&fishing and camp there overnight. Is it okay to stay a night in a remote island? 3. In open ‘reserve’ area, many people stay overnight after they set their tents there. ‘Reserve’ is also public land where we can have the freedom of camping? Sorry, I have been searching a lot to get this information, because i don’t want to break the rules of NZ. It seems that ‘public land is permitted’ says I’m okay to do above things. But I would like to make sure everything before I do my own things in NZ. If you don’t mind, please help me out. Thanks!
Heya :) 1. No you can't do this. Only on specified sites. 2. Contact the DOC about which island you plan to go to to know the rules there. 3. Every area has different rules, you need to refer to the DOC rules of the specified reserve.
For two people traveling for 18 days to both north and south island would you recommend freedom camping or hotels? How much could you expect to save by freedom camping versus staying in a hotel? Thanks!
You'll pay a lot of money to stay in hotels. You'd be better to compare hiring a campervan with staying in cabins at motor camps. A campervan could have cooking, sleeping and toilet facilities. You get much the same at a camping ground. If you don't want to sleep in a tent, you can hire cabins that are pretty basic but they're comfortable and secure. You'd be able to cook in the camp kitchen, shower and use the toilet in the toilet block and even do your washing in the laundry.
Hi guys! Quick question....I am 3 and a half months away from arriving in NZ for my 1 month trip of a lifetime and currently doing my research on renting a camper van.....I wanted to know how far in advance would you recommend that i should book a rental reservation since I will be there during high season? Thanks! You guys are awesome, thanks for all the helpful info.
Great info for fast tourists But i have been freedom camping for 4 month's now. Only twice was officially camping places. One morning at 1.30am Invercargill police awoke me seeing if i was ok. People do not have the time to go to court. But the freedom camp sticker is local body regulation not central government law. As i don't wish to cause trouble with park officers or retta meter maids Don't park in or near tourist place's
Lake Pearson in Arthur's pass is being upgraded now and will not be a free campsite when it reopens I was there its closed now for last month so you will need to take it off your top 10 free campsites of nz
Hey can you help me in planning my itinerary for newzealand trip .... I am planning a 17 day tour of north and South Island .... 6 day campervan north island and 11 motorbike South Island .... would love your inputs
Great question! We'll answer it during out next live session (it will be Sunday 8am NZ time which may be on Saturday depending where you are in the world) When are you planning to visit NZ?
Don't suppose I inspired this vid did I? I made a comment a few days ago on one of your other vids about freedom camping fines... and low and behind here is a vid about freedom camping, haha
Haha, nah we planned this one for a while :) We have a lot of advice on freedom camping on BackpackerGuide.NZ so thought it was about time we made a video!
It’s been a while, I’m a Kiwi who’s only just found this video as I look for camping tips and ideas, and am wondering if you guys made a following up video on more up to date rules, and why NZ has become more strict with freedom camping? Has a lot changed since this video was posted? How safe is it to do now?
Very good question Pippa. You are correct, a lot has changed! The links that we point to in the video (cards and descriptions) are kept up to date 😍
Thank you for the video it is very informative and alot of your information is correct however Rules in new Zealand have changed so much now it's not enjoyable anymore.. although rules and enforcement change from council to council.. I'm a kiwi born and raised and because of a housing shortage I live in a self contained van with my partner and our two dogs, we travel doing seasonal work in both north and south island so have seen rules change alot in the past 4 years they have become extremely strict in the south island.
I agree there are so much discrepancies between councils it is hard to follow haha
@@NZPocketGuideCouncil's a law of their own 🦉
amazing. thanks for sharing also the links in the description dont work
Mmmmh interesting, I'll look into this :)
As a native maori i tell tourists to get a Tino Rangatiratanga flag and put on back window, keep some of my nawty whanau away. Keep Safe and enjoy Our Country of AOTEAROA
That's a pretty awesome tip actually! Love it!
Another usefull video! Thanks. Booking a campervan is our next step that takes us closer to NZ dream, as we finally booked the tickets!!!!!
Yay! That's when it feels real when you first book your flights! I'm sure you've seen our NZ airport advice video, but just in case -> th-cam.com/video/HQiAx5x7K20/w-d-xo.html (It's not the "what to declare" video that you already commented on ;) )
Very good info!!! We have a few freedom camping around here in Bay of Plenty!!! Beautiful places to wake up in the morning!!!
Thanks team :) Do you know where abouts those freedom camping spots are?
Thanks a lot for all information!
However, in my case,
1. I’m planning to park my car at a proper carpark and will go by walk to along the coast to do some spearfishing&fishing and set my tent near along the coast line.
Is it no problem at all to set my tent on the beach and sleep overnight?
2. I’m planning to do some kayaking to a remote island to do some spearfishing&fishing and camp there overnight.
Is it okay to stay a night in a remote island?
3. In open ‘reserve’ area, many people stay overnight after they set their tents there. ‘Reserve’ is also public land where we can have the freedom of camping?
Sorry, I have been searching a lot to get this information, because i don’t want to break the rules of NZ.
It seems that ‘public land is permitted’ says I’m okay to do above things. But I would like to make sure everything before I do my own things in NZ.
If you don’t mind, please help me out.
Thanks!
Heya :) 1. No you can't do this. Only on specified sites. 2. Contact the DOC about which island you plan to go to to know the rules there. 3. Every area has different rules, you need to refer to the DOC rules of the specified reserve.
@@NZPocketGuide This is actually super depressing..
..and wrong....
You guys should have visited the annual Geek of the Year competition held in Nelson....there are good prizes to be won.
And we are ight old geek as well so we'd fit perfectly there :)
For two people traveling for 18 days to both north and south island would you recommend freedom camping or hotels? How much could you expect to save by freedom camping versus staying in a hotel? Thanks!
Great question! Check out this video for a detailed answer -> th-cam.com/video/ooPMJNzOv1M/w-d-xo.html
You'll pay a lot of money to stay in hotels. You'd be better to compare hiring a campervan with staying in cabins at motor camps. A campervan could have cooking, sleeping and toilet facilities. You get much the same at a camping ground. If you don't want to sleep in a tent, you can hire cabins that are pretty basic but they're comfortable and secure. You'd be able to cook in the camp kitchen, shower and use the toilet in the toilet block and even do your washing in the laundry.
Hi guys! Quick question....I am 3 and a half months away from arriving in NZ for my 1 month trip of a lifetime and currently doing my research on renting a camper van.....I wanted to know how far in advance would you recommend that i should book a rental reservation since I will be there during high season? Thanks! You guys are awesome, thanks for all the helpful info.
Great question Chuck, it's on our list for the next live session :) Join us then (or simply watch the replay haha!)
@@NZPocketGuide I will and thanks again!
Great info for fast tourists
But i have been freedom camping for 4 month's now. Only twice was officially camping places. One morning at 1.30am Invercargill police awoke me seeing if i was ok.
People do not have the time to go to court.
But the freedom camp sticker is local body regulation not central government law.
As i don't wish to cause trouble with park officers or retta meter maids
Don't park in or near tourist place's
Thanks for the info, Tom :)
@@NZPocketGuide enjoy your info
Lake Pearson in Arthur's pass is being upgraded now and will not be a free campsite when it reopens I was there its closed now for last month so you will need to take it off your top 10 free campsites of nz
Ah no! Bad timing! We'll have to add a note to our video. Thanks for the heads up, Laurie :)
Hi! Just want to check if along my journey, I'll like to stop for lunch in my campervan, do I also need to find a legal campground to do that?
No you can stop where you want for a short break of course. The rules highlighted in this videos are only for overnight stops.
What about Cycle touring? Camping with tents?
Similar rules to Freedom camping applies to camping with tents. Check out this article -> www.backpackerguide.nz/camping-new-zealand/
Hey can you help me in planning my itinerary for newzealand trip .... I am planning a 17 day tour of north and South Island .... 6 day campervan north island and 11 motorbike South Island .... would love your inputs
Great question! We'll answer it during out next live session (it will be Sunday 8am NZ time which may be on Saturday depending where you are in the world) When are you planning to visit NZ?
Freedom Camping is to New Zealand what Boondocking is to The USA/Canada
Thanks for pitching in Joseph ;)
They may have good intentions but nz is far more strict then other countries on vehicle camping. I guess they have no homeless that live in cars
Very true.
Don't suppose I inspired this vid did I? I made a comment a few days ago on one of your other vids about freedom camping fines... and low and behind here is a vid about freedom camping, haha
Haha, nah we planned this one for a while :) We have a lot of advice on freedom camping on BackpackerGuide.NZ so thought it was about time we made a video!