Camping and Freedom Camping

Freedom Camping

In June 2024, Council adopted the Freedom Camping ByLaw. The bylaw sets out areas where freedom camping is permitted, restricted or prohibited within the district to protect the environment, health and safety of residents and access to key public sites. It covers staying overnight in vehicles on public land controlled by the Council, which includes most local roads and some carparks.

Note freedom camping is any kind of camping in tents or non-self contained caravans. If you are unsure - a self-contained vehicle will be certified with a blue sticker in its window showing it complies with the NZ Standard (NZS 5465:2001).

Restricted, prohibited and permitted areas

The bylaw manages freedom camping on land it covers within three categories: 

• Restricted areas: where freedom camping is allowed for certified self-contained vehicles, including seasonal restrictions and a maximum number of nights. Sites have been identified n Kairakau Beach, Pourerere, Aromoana Shoal Beach Reserve, Pōrangahau/Te Paerahi, Whangaehu Beach, Waipukurau, Waipawa, Takapau, Tikokino, Ongaonga and Otāne. 
• Prohibited areas: where no freedom camping is allowed. Prohibited areas include Waipukurau, Waipawa, Takapau, Otāne and a number of rural areas and reserves as well as coastal towns and reserves. 
• Permitted areas: where freedom camping is allowed: Two permitted areas include Pourerere Beach Road and Te Paerahi Beach (Pōrangahau) Freedom Camping adjacent to Recreation Reserve. The bylaw introduces a permit season between 14 December - 29 February. This is currently in place for Pourerere Beach Road but not Te Paerahi. Outside this season the bylaw prohibits freedom camping for non self-contained vehicles and tents. 

Maps - Interactive and Static 

Click here for our interactive map which details the areas where freedom camping is permitted, restricted or prohibited.

Alternatively, you can view static maps for each of the following:

• Permitted areas for non self-contained motor vehicles and tenting Map of Permitted areas
• Restricted areas for self-contained motor vehicles Map of Restricted areas
  
• Prohibited areas for self-contained motor vehicles and non self-contained motor vehicles and tenting. Maps of Prohibited areas: Coastal Towns & Reserves, Otāne, Rural Areas & Reserves, Takapau, Waipawa, Waipukurau

Application for a Permit at Pourerere Beach

For more details visit Pourerere Beach. No payment is required for the permit.

• Tommy Ireland Point lookout (Pourerere Beach Road) - Fully certified ‘self contained’ motor homes ONLY for not more than three consecutive nights. A donation box is at the entrance of Pourerere under the Pourerere Beach sign if you would like to make a voluntary donation.

• Aramoana Beach - Fully certified ‘self contained’ motor homes ONLY are permitted to stay overnight for not more than three consecutive nights, in the clearly signposted area at the end of the public car park area near to the public toilets. Three (3) parks have been allocated for this activity.

• Kairakau Beach - Fully certified ‘self contained’ motor homes ONLY are permitted to stay overnight for not more than three consecutive nights, on the area of grass at the northern end of Kairakau Beach Road (past the new public toilet). The area allowed to be used is clearly signposted. Any other form of camping on any other ‘Council’ land at Kairakau Beach is NOT ALLOWED.

Maps - Interactive and Static 

Click here for our interactive map which details the areas where freedom camping is permitted, restricted or prohibited.

Alternatively, you can view static maps for each of the following:

• Permitted areas for non self-contained motor vehicles and tenting Map of Permitted areas
• Restricted areas for self-contained motor vehicles Map of Restricted areas
  
• Prohibited areas for self-contained motor vehicles and non self-contained motor vehicles and tenting. Maps of Prohibited areas: Coastal Towns & Reserves, Otāne, Rural Areas & Reserves, Takapau, Waipawa, Waipukurau

• There is a total fire ban on all beaches in Central Hawke's Bay all year around. There are no exceptions to this.
• Length of stay is not to exceed 3 days.
• Campers must leave the site clean and tidy.
• Camp sites must be set up in such a way as to not interfere with or damage trees, other vegetation such as sand dune plants, or disturb nesting birds in the dunes.
• No permanent structures will be permitted.
• Suitable signs will be erected advising public of areas where camping is permitted and areas where camping is not permitted.
• Dogs are allowed with campers at freedom camping sites BUT they must be kept under strict control at all times.  Signposted bylaws regarding dogs on beaches over summer months must also be adhered to. This typically means that dogs cannot be off-lead in certain areas (i.e. around ablution blocks).

Phone Council +64 6 857 8060 (24 hour service) for more information.

Looking after New Zealand's environment

You will no doubt be travelling in New Zealand because of our beautiful countryside and environment. We know that you will want to protect this, so to do so you need to remember that the indiscriminate disposal of human waste ruins the enjoyment of the natural environment and creates a significant health risk. It promotes the spread of intestinal disease either from direct contact or by insect carriers such as flies.

Please make sure you respect our environment by thoughtfully disposing of any waste you have in an appropriate place. Below are some tips to help you to do this.

You are travelling and you need to find a toilet where do you go?

In New Zealand you can expect to find free use toilets at:

• Information and visitor centres
• National park headquarters
• Petrol stations
• Hotels
• Public Libraries
• Camp grounds
• Rail and bus stations
• Urban Parks and Children's Playgrounds

Use the toilets in towns as they may not be available in the countryside.

 Campervan, Caravan and Motorhome users:

• Before setting out on your trip identify the location of sewage dump points e.g. camping grounds
• Be aware that outside of peak summer season beach toilets are serviced less often, so please take precautions especially during COVID alert levels.

The procedure for dumping 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.

Click here for a map of the location.

If you are out in the countryside, rubbish disposal can be a problem.

• Plan your trip to minimise rubbish
• 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. E.g. sweet/lollies, small snacks and takeaway wrappers.
• Food and household wastes (rubbish bags) should be taken home or disposed of in motorcamp rubbish bins or in the local rubbish dump.