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Freedom Camping and Camping

Central Hawke’s Bay is proud to offer diverse freedom camping experiences across both our stunning coastal areas and vibrant urban settings.

CampingCHBFreedom Camping in Coastal and Urban Areas

Whether you’re seeking the serenity of our beaches or the convenience of staying closer to town, freedom camping allows you to connect with our district’s natural beauty and welcoming communities.

To ensure everyone can enjoy these spaces responsibly, we oversee freedom camping activities across the district. In June 2024, Council adopted the Freedom Camping Bylaw, which provides clear guidance on where freedom camping is permitted, restricted or prohibited. The bylaw aims to protect the environment, safeguard public health and safety, and maintain access to key public spaces.

Camping at the coast 

Our coastal areas, such as our beloved Pourerere Beach, are cherished by locals and visitors alike. Council collaborates with community groups, like the Pourerere Camping Committee, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Coastal freedom camping is allowed in specific areas, and visitors are encouraged to follow site guidelines, including parking in designated areas, managing waste responsibly, and respecting other campers and residents.

Camping in urban areas

Urban freedom camping offers a convenient option for those exploring Central Hawke’s Bay’s towns and nearby attractions. Designated sites provide opportunities to stay close to amenities and enjoy the unique character of our urban centres. The bylaw outlines the need to use approved parking spaces, ensure vehicles are legally parked and leave sites tidy for the next visitor.

Guidelines for freedom campers

1. Certification: Vehicles must display a blue or green sticker to indicate compliance with the the NZ Standard (NZS 5465:2001) for self-contained vehicles.

2. Waste management: Dispose of effluent at designated dump stations and rubbish in Council-provided bins or waste facilities.

3. Environmental care: Protect the natural environment by not disturbing vegetation, wildlife or coastal dunes, and ensure campsites are left clean and undamaged.

4. Behaviour and safety: Be mindful of noise levels and avoid causing disturbances to other campers or residents. Follow all reasonable directions from Council staff or enforcement officers.

Freedom camping is a privilege that comes with a shared responsibility to respect the environment, the local community and fellow visitors. By adhering to these guidelines, you help preserve the unique beauty and accessibility of our coastal and urban areas for future generations.

Whether you’re staying by the sea or in town, Central Hawke’s Bay welcomes you to enjoy freedom camping in a way that reflects the values of sustainability, respect and community care. Together, we thrive!

Permitted, restricted and prohibited freedom camping areas

The Freedom Camping Bylaw manages freedom camping on land within three categories: Prohibited, Restricted and Permitted areas. Click here to view maps illustrating where these three categories apply in the district. The below interactive map also shows the permitted, restricted and prohibited freedom camping sites in our district.

The following campsites are not owned or operated by Central Hawke's Bay District Council. These campsites are serviced and managed privately, and usual fees and charges apply.

Location

Address

Phone

Contact

Waipukurau Holiday Park

20 River Terrace, Waipukurau

06 858 8184

wpkhp@xtra.co.nz

Waipawa Rivers Edge Holiday Park     

26 Harker Street, Waipawa

06 857 8976

Paddy.wpa@gmail.com

BlueBeach Camping

416 Beach Road, Pōrangahau

027 823 8195
027 917 8408

Richard and Zoe
info@bluebeach.co.nz

Kairakau Camp Ground

3/4 Kairakau Beach Road, Kairakau

06 858 4245

pamandkim@xtra.co.nz     

Blackhead Camp Ground

22 McHardy Place, Blackhead Beach

06 857 7335

Nick Curtis

Pourerere Beach Camp Ground

Southern end of Pourerere Beach Road    

06 857 8802

David Cudby

 

A fully self-contained vehicle suitable for freedom camping is equipped to support camping for up to three days without requiring access to external facilities. Such vehicles must include:

  • a fixed and operational toilet,
  • fresh water storage,
  • wastewater storage, and
  • a rubbish bin with a secure lid.

To minimise environmental impacts, the toilet must be permanently installed and connected to a sealed black water holding tank with a minimum capacity of three litres per passenger.

To comply with New Zealand’s freedom camping standards, vehicles must meet the requirements outlined in the New Zealand Standard NZS 5465:2001 for self-containment of motor caravans and caravans. Certification for self-contained vehicles has recently transitioned to a new system. The key changes include:

  • Blue Warrant: As of 7 June 2024, no new blue warrants are being issued. Existing blue warrants will remain valid until 7 June 2025.
  • Green Warrant: Introduced on 7 December 2023, the green warrant replaces the blue warrant and is mandatory for all vehicles from 7 June 2025. Unlike the blue warrant, the green warrant mandates the installation of a fixed toilet rather than a portable one.

These updates are part of ongoing efforts to promote responsible camping practices, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure that visitors respect the natural and cultural values of camping destinations.

To make freedom camping a positive experience for everyone while protecting our beautiful environment, we encourage campers to follow these simple guidelines:

1. Camping proximity: If you’ve camped at a spot within the past week, please choose a site at least one kilometre away for your next stop.

2. Duration of stay: To ensure everyone gets a chance to enjoy these spaces, please limit your stay to the number of nights prescribed, leaving by noon on the day you depart.

3. Vehicle limits: Most sites can accommodate up to three vehicles per night. Please check the signage at your location for any specific allowances.

4. Tent numbers: You’re welcome to set up to three tents in areas listed in Schedule 3, unless signage indicates otherwise.

5. Parking considerations:

  • If the site has marked parking spaces, please park within them.
  • If specific freedom camping spaces are provided, kindly use those.
  • Ensure your vehicle is parked legally at all times.

6. Waste management:

  • Use purpose-built disposal facilities for effluent.
  • Dispose of rubbish responsibly in Council bins or designated waste areas.

7. Respecting public spaces:

  • Keep pathways, access ways and public areas clear for everyone to use.
  • Make use of public toilets where available, especially if your vehicle doesn’t have onboard facilities.

8. Caring for others and the environment:

  • Follow any reasonable requests from local enforcement officers to help maintain these special spaces.
  • Keep noise levels down and avoid any behaviour that might disturb fellow campers or nearby residents.
  • Take care of the natural surroundings by leaving plants and vegetation untouched and ensuring your campsite is clean and undamaged when you leave.
  • No permits will be granted for fires in a restricted or prohibited fire season, as determined by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.  

9. Structures: Temporary camping set-ups are welcome but semi-permanent structures are not permitted in camping areas.

 

By adhering to these guidelines, campers help protect the environment, ensure fair use of public spaces, and respect the values and needs of local communities and other visitors.

 

Please phone our team anytime on 06 857 8060 if you have any questions or would like more information.

 

Campervan, caravan and motorhome users

Before setting out on your trip, identify the location of sewage dump points (e.g. campgrounds) and be aware that outside of peak summer season, beach toilets are serviced less often, so please take precautions.

The procedure for dumping waste is simple and clean. If your vehicle has a holding tank, it will have a flexible hose with a snap coupling to fit the dump point facility. In the event of a spillage, a hose at the dump facility may be used to wash it away. Portable toilets may also be emptied into dump points with care.

Where can I dispose of my wastewater?

A dump station is located at the end of River Terrace in Waipukurau and was opened to the public at the end of May 2021.

If you are out in the countryside, rubbish disposal can be a problem. Plan your trip to minimise your rubbish production and please remember:

  • burying rubbish is unsatisfactory because rubbish can be exposed by animals or erosion, so please carry away all rubbish.
  • disposal nappies are not biodegradable! Ensure that you take plastic bags and carry used nappies home.
  • roadside rubbish containers are only provided for light litter, such as sweet/lollies, small snacks and takeaway wrappers.
  • food and household wastes (rubbish bags) should be taken home or disposed of in motor camp rubbish bins or at the local transfer station.

You can donate to support our Freedom Camping areas here.

 

 

 

You can view the draft Pourerere Freedom Camping Ballot Policy here. This policy will remain in draft until review and adoption in 2025

 

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