Freedom Camping Bylaw

We’re reviewing how we manage freedom camping on the Kāpiti Coast to reflect recent changes to central government legislation and improve the experience for local communities and visitors. We need your feedback on the options we’re proposing.

The Freedom Camping Act was amended in 2023. It requires councils to identify the areas of their land where self-contained vehicles will be prohibited or restricted. Restricted sites still allow freedom camping but with conditions, for example limiting the length of stay and number of vehicles per site.

Our current Freedom Camping Policy 2012 outlines where freedom camping is permitted in the district, but it doesn't allow for enforcement. Freedom camping is an important part of our tourism economy – visitors who camp freely tend to stay longer and explore more of the region, contributing to local businesses. However, some campers stay beyond time limits, use non-self-contained vehicles, or camp outside designated areas. In recent years, we’ve taken an educational approach to managing this through our Sustainable Camping Ambassadors, but without enforcement, challenges remain.

We’re proposing a Freedom Camping Bylaw that would better align with the Freedom Camping Act and strike a balance between accommodating freedom camping and encouraging tourism and protecting the Kāpiti Coast’s physical, cultural and social environment.

The Bylaw would:

• clearly define areas where freedom camping is restricted or prohibited
• ensure a better balance between tourism growth and community wellbeing
• give Council officers the ability to issue infringements when rules aren't followed.

Your options and your feedback

1. Continue to manage freedom camping with a Freedom Camping Policy
2. Adopt the draft Freedom Camping Bylaw

We've undertaken an assessment of the district to identify and define areas where freedom camping could be restricted or prohibited under the Act. As a result, we're proposing 11 sites to be defined as restricted. This would increase the total number of campervan parking spaces from 24 to 36, and with maximum stays of 48 hours at each.

Please note: Under the Freedom Camping Act, freedom camping can only be restricted or prohibited if it is necessary to:

• protect the area
• protect the health and safety of people who may visit the area or
• protect access to the area.

Parks and reserves: Only three reserves have been included in the areas to be restricted. This is because they're areas where freedom camping is currently permitted, and we want to continue their use. Our maps don't identify other reserve land where freedom camping is currently not permitted. Freedom camping in our reserves will be assessed as part of a Reserves Management Plan review.

We want to know if you agree with our proposal to adopt a Freedom Camping Bylaw, and whether we’ve got the restricted sites and things like the allowed duration of stay and number of available parks right.

What happens next?

Your feedback will help inform our decisions on our freedom camping rules and whether we update the policy or bylaw. Those wishing to speak to their submission may do so at our hearing on Tuesday 20 May from 9.30am. We'll then update our policy or bylaw and put to Council for adoption.

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