Freedom Camping Act

The Freedom Camping Act 2011 received Royal assent on 29 August 2011, and is administered jointly by the Department of Internal Affairs and the Department of Conservation.

This Act gives local authorities and the Department of Conservation the flexibility to decide where freedom camping is prohibited or restricted. It has also set up a nationally consistent infringement regime that gives local authorities and the Department Of Conservation the ability to issue on-the-spot infringement notices of $200 to people or vehicles for freedom camping offences.

Transitional provisions are in place until 29 August 2012 for freedom camping bylaws made by local authorities under different legislation. This allows those bylaw provisions to be enforced using the provisions of the Freedom Camping Act, until such a time that new bylaws are created in accordance with the Act.

• The Act can be viewed at: The Freedom Camping Act 2011 (www.legislation.govt.nz)