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Pūpahi

Freedom camping

There are a number of reserves, roads and car parks in Tauranga where self-contained mobile homes can freedom camp.

 

The rules for freedom camping in New Zealand have changed, and are now law.

For more information on this:

Freedom camping changes

You can only stay in any one location for two nights per calendar month.

If you want to freedom camp in Tauranga, you must be in a certified self-contained vehicle that complies with the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023. If you don’t have a self-contained vehicle with the necessary certification, you will need to find a campground.

When freedom camping in a permitted location in Tauranga, it must be within the designated area and you must comply with councils Freedom Camping bylaw. If the designated area is inaccessible for whatever reason, you may not park nearby to freedom camp. You can only stay in any one location for two nights per calendar month, however you can visit other permitted locations. You must park legally and comply with noise requirements.

Freedom campers who do not adhere to these rules, may be issued with an infringement notice. Infringement notices can vary in fee amounts from $400 to $1200, which are set by the New Zealand Government.

Infringement fees and penalties table (277kb pdf)

Please see the factsheet below for more information regarding freedom camping in Tauranga.

Freedom camping factsheet (90kb pdf)

Freedom camping reserves

There are 25 reserves available for overnight parking; however all have restrictions on spaces and days.

Reserve Days Number of spaces
Fergusson Park 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only Three
Gordon Spratt Reserve 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only Eight
Greerton Park 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only Six
Mitchell Park Available at all times Two
Pemberton Park 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only Two
Waipuna Park 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only Four
Beach Road Reserve Available at all times Two
Carlton Street Reserve Available at all times Eight
Cambridge Park Available at all times Six
Graham Park Available at all times Three
Harrisons Cut Available at all times Two
Kulim Park Available at all times Two
Marine Park 1 Available at all times Eight
Marine Park 2 Available at all times Three
Matua Saltmarsh Available at all times Three
Maxwells Road Esplanade Available at all times. Sealed car park at Ngatai Road end only. Two
Memorial Park Available at all times Six
Motiti Reserve Available at all times Two
Rotary Park Available at all times Three
Stella Place Available at all times Three
Taylor Reserve Available at all times Two
Tye Park Available at all times Two
Waikareao Foreshore Available at all times Three
Whareroa Reserve Available at all times Four
Mount Greens car park Must fit within the confines of a marked and formed parking space from 7am to 8pm. Between the hours of 8pm to 7am vehicles must be parked within the area marked as car parking spaces, but are not restricted to occupying a single space. Ten

Roads and car parks

You can freedom camp on a number of roads and at a number of car parks in the city, but you can’t park in front of a private home or business. Some places you can’t park overnight are:

  • Marine Parade or The Mall, Mount Maunganui
  • Maunganui Road car park or City Council Administration car park 
  • any road with a speed limit over 50km/hr or any service lane.
  • Macville Park
  • Omanu Surf Club car park, 
  • Sulphur Point 
  • Cliff Road car park 
  • Greerton Road car park, 
  • Turret Road
  • Shadelands Lane
  • Ocean Downs Reserve
  • Papamoa Domain
  • The foreshore side of Harbour Drive.

What happens if I break the rules?

Council can issue infringement notices to anyone caught breaching the freedom camping bylaw. You may also be liable for prosecution. Our freedom camping bylaw sets out all of the places you can and cannot freedom camp. 

Pay freedom camping infringement online

Freedom Camping Bylaw 2019 (36.6mb pdf)

Tauranga City Council, Private Bag 12022, Tauranga, 3143, New Zealand |Terms of use|Privacy statement|Site map

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