The new rules coming in are confusing right!?! Let’s see if I can explain this simply as we go through this transition.
Right now we can only issue Blue Sticker Certification which means you can freedom camp with a fixed toilet until the June 2025 blue sticker cut off.
In June 2024 the rules change and you can only get a Green Sticker Certification to be able to Freedom Camp. This will last for 4 years. With the green there is a government levy of $120 and then there will be the Self Containment (SC) Authority fee and the fee from the inspector (us) for their time. These new rules that have been passed in government include that you must externally vent your toilet (yes, that means putting a hole in your toilet waste cassette and a hole in your vehicle to the outside and making it vent to the outside). You will not get a green sticker certification without this.
The SC Authorities and major players are fighting this and asking to get it changed. We think it is possible it will be changed by the end of the year. So we are suggesting that if you have a fixed toilet you get the Blue Sticker Certification now to take you through to June 2025 and hope, like the rest of us that the law is changed before you have to start drilling holes. If you wait until after June 2024 you will need to vent your toilet to get a Green Certification and Blue Certifications will no longer be available for full freedom camping.
We will be able to provide Green Sticker Certification from June 2024 but your toilet must be vented to comply (unless this is changed later in the year).
There are new rules for Green Stickers are on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers website.
Give us a call if in doubt.
We do Self Certifications for everyone.
We offer renewal checks and certification for new self containments to comply with the New Zealand self-containment standards and qualifications. In most cases we can do renewals nationwide. Please get in contact wherever you are.
What is Certified Self Containment?
A certified self contained vehicle is designed to completely meet the ablutionary and sanitary needs of the occupants (including water for drinking and cooking) for a minimum of three days without requiring any external services or discharging any waste. You can also read our Blog on Freedom Camping in New Zealand.
Seeking a new self-containment certification?
Use our Contact Us form to book in for Self Containment Certification throughout New Zealand for renewal certificates ($100) nationwide and in North Auckland if you need your first certificate ($120). For NZMCA members it is $50.
Certificates are valid until June 2025 for full freedom camping. They are valid for four years for NZMCA and doc camps and the like. We organise all the paperwork for you and post out your certificate and sticker.
You’ll need to be able to live in your vehicle for three days without getting more water or dumping waste. It must have:
-a fixed toilet – useable when the bed is made (currently you can still be certified with a portable toilet but some councils do not allow freedom camping with portable toilets, you have to check with local rules).-fresh water system -a sink-waste water system, and-a rubbish bin with a lid.
These rules are in place to encourage campers to be responsible for all their own waste, and leave each camping area as they find it.
What is a fixed toilet?
This is a toilet that is designed to be fixed to the floor of your vehicle. The waste cassette must have the ability to be removed and emptied from the toilet system without removing the toilet itself.
Is your vehicle ready to be certified as Self Contained?
Click to Check the requirements and view latest guidelines (pre the June 2024 change).
A self containment checklist must be signed off by a qualified self containment testing officer
What are the Self-Containment Standards in New Zealand?
Below are the official standards for vehicle self containment; this covers caravans, motorhomes, and campervans. It is a very detailed document and can be confusing so if you need advice just give us a call or message us through our contact page.
Download the complete standards and guidelines here: NZS5465-2001 (pre the June 2024 change).
