What is the current provision for freedom camping in Auckland?
Currently, Auckland Council manages freedom camping through various legacy bylaw provisions (“the legacy
bylaws”) inherited in November 2010. After amalgamation the Council can use the legacy bylaws to allow
freedom camping in certain areas.
To date, the number and geographic spread of designated freedom camping sites has been relatively limited.
There are currently 14 sites, with combined capacity for 107 vehicles. These sites are all in the former Rodney
(encompassing the Rodney and Hibiscus and Bays Local Boards) and Franklin district (encompassing part of
the Franklin Local Board area).
The Council’s legacy bylaws were developed under the Local Government Act 2002. Auckland Council
inherited the legacy bylaws in November 2010, and confirmed them in October 2015 to avoid them lapsing
under the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010 (resolution GB/2015/11).
The council confirmed the legacy bylaws to:
retain some regulation of freedom camping across Auckland
allow more time for the council to fully assess the requirements for an Auckland-wide freedom camping
bylaw.
The impact of this decision is that the legacy bylaws continue to apply until October 2020, unless the council
chooses to amend or revoke them before that date.
In terms of the former Rodney district, the relevant bylaw is the Rodney District Council General Bylaw 1998: Chapter 8 Public Places
In terms of permitted Sites … Freedom camping is prohibited except in the following designated areas
o Sunburst Reserve, Snells Beach (five spaces)
o Sunrise Boulevard, Snells Beach (five spaces)
o Matheson Bay (five spaces)
o Port Albert Domain (10 spaces)
o Parry Kauri Park (five spaces)
o Gulf Harbour (20 spaces)
o Orewa Reserve (10 spaces)
o Arundel Reserve (four spaces)
o Hatfields Bay (10 spaces)
It also allows the council to designate sites for controlled freedom camping using signage
Rules that apply are Self-contained vehicles may stay up to two nights in any one calendar month
