This bylaw controls freedom camping in certain areas owned or managed by the Council, in order to protect these areas, including protecting access to the areas and the health and safety of people using them.
Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 with maps and descriptions [PDF, 2.3 MB].
For more information on where you can camp, including an interactive map, see Camping and Campervans in Christchurch and Akaroa(external link).
The Freedom Camping Bylaw 2015 was replaced with this bylaw in 2021, after a review and consultation process.
1. This bylaw is the Christchurch City Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021.
2. This bylaw comes into force on 1 December 2021.
1. The purpose of this bylaw is to control freedom camping in the district in order to:
Explanatory note: This bylaw applies only to land under the control or management of the Council and within the Christchurch district, including Banks Peninsula.
(1) In this bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires:
Term | Definition |
Act | means Freedom Camping Act 2011 |
Authorised officer | means a person appointed by the Council to perform duties or give permissions under this bylaw, including an enforcement officer |
Camping vehicle | means a certified self-contained vehicle |
Certified self-contained vehicle |
means:
|
Chief Executive | means the Chief Executive Officer of the Council |
Council | means the Christchurch City Council |
District | means the district of the Council |
The following terms have the same definitions as in the Act:
Term | Definition |
Freedom camp |
In this Act, freedom camp means to camp (other than at a camping ground) within 200 m of a motor vehicle accessible area or the mean low-water springs line of any sea or harbour, or on or within 200 m of a formed road or a Great Walks Track, using 1 or more of the following:
2. In this Act, freedom camping does not include the following activities:
3. In subsection (1), -camping ground means-
.. |
Local authority area |
1. In this Act, local authority area— a. means an area of land— (i) that is within the district or region of a local authority; and (ii) that is controlled or managed by the local authority under any enactment; and b. includes any part of an area of land referred to in paragraph (a); but c. does not include an area of land referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) that is permanently covered by water. |
2. This bylaw contains explanatory notes, which are not part of the bylaw. The Council may add, amend or delete explanatory notes at any time without amending the bylaw.
Explanatory note: Explanatory notes are used for a number of reasons, including to explain the intent of a clause in less formal language, to include additional helpful information, or because the information may be subject to change and need to be updated before the bylaw itself has to be updated.
1. Freedom camping is permitted in any local authority area within the district, unless it is prohibited or restricted by this bylaw or by any other enactment or bylaw.
Explanatory note: Compliance with this bylaw does not remove the need to comply with all other applicable laws. This includes: no camping in Council parks and reserves (unless the land is set aside as a camping ground); complying with parking restrictions and time limits; not littering; not lighting fires in breach of any fire restrictions; not making excessive noise; and complying with the directions of enforcement officers. The Freedom Camping Act 2011 contains further offences in relation to freedom camping.
1. No person may freedom camp in any local authority area in any tent, temporary structure, or in any vehicle that is not a certified self-contained vehicle, unless:
1. No person may freedom camp in any prohibited area.
2. Prohibited areas are described in Schedule 1 of this bylaw and are shown in red on maps in Schedule 2 of this bylaw.
1. Any person may freedom camp in a restricted area, subject to the following conditions:
2. Subclauses 1(b) and 1(c) do not apply to the restricted area known as the City Coastal Restricted Zone. In that restricted area, any person can freedom camp in a certified self-contained vehicle for up to four nights within a 30-day period, with no more than two nights in the same place. There must be a distance of at least 500 metres between one camping location and the next.
Explanatory note: This means a maximum stay in the City Coastal Restricted Zone of four nights within any 30-day period, and at least one change of location within those four nights.
3. Where there are marked parking spaces in a restricted area, no person may:
Explanatory note: If there is space for the combination of a towing vehicle and a towed camping vehicle within a marked parking space, there is no breach of subclause 7(3).
4. No person may set-up their camping vehicle or camping equipment in such a way that it impedes the normal movement of vehicles or pedestrians, or otherwise blocks a thoroughfare.
Explanatory note: Subclauses (3) and (4) are to prevent overcrowding and the overflow of camping activities into public areas. Camping activities and equipment should not encroach into the surrounding area in a way that limits public access or parking availability, or raises safety concerns. Public areas where freedom camping is allowed are not intended to accommodate traditional camping set-ups (eg awnings, washing lines, cooking equipment, and tables and chairs) – these are better suited to camping grounds.
1. Restricted areas are described in Schedule 1 to this bylaw and are shown in orange on maps in Schedule 2 of this bylaw.
1. The Chief Executive may temporarily waive or modify the freedom camping restrictions or prohibitions in this bylaw to enable camping for an organised event.
Explanatory note: This clause is intended to enable flexibility so that freedom camping can occur as part of an organised event, where the Chief Executive considers it appropriate. The Chief Executive has full discretion to grant or decline an application for permission. The type of events it may apply to include, but are not limited to: scout and guide events; sporting and club events; marae-related events; community and school events.
2. The organiser of the event must apply to the Chief Executive for permission. An application for permission must:
3. The Chief Executive may give permission or decline an application.
4. If permission is granted, the Chief Executive may impose any conditions they consider appropriate:
5. If an application is declined, the applicant will be informed of the reasons for the decision.
6. The permission may be revoked by an enforcement officer if any person breaches the conditions specified in the permission or otherwise breaches this bylaw.
1. The Chief Executive of the Council may temporarily close or restrict freedom camping in any area or part of any area where the closure or restriction is considered necessary to:
2. Notice will be given of any temporary closure or restriction, and the removal of any closure or restriction, in any manner the Chief Executive considers is appropriate to the reason for the closure or restriction. Prior notice of any temporary closure or restriction will be given where possible.
Explanatory note: Notice given by the Council may include any of the following: a sign erected in the area; and/or advertising on the Council’s website or on the radio; and/or a public notice in the newspaper.
1. The provisions of the Christchurch City Council General Bylaw 2008 and any bylaw passed in amendment or substitution are implied into, and form part of this bylaw.
1. As specified by section 20(1) of the Act, every person commits an offence who freedom camps in a local authority area in breach of any prohibitions or restrictions in this bylaw that apply to the area.
2. Every person who commits an offence under section 20(1) of the Act is liable to an infringement fee (fine) of the amount specified in the Act.
Explanatory note: The infringement fee in the Act is $200. Other offences set out in the Act include things such as not properly disposing of waste (including from self-containment wastewater tanks), damaging or interfering with the flora and fauna in an area, preparing to freedom camp in breach of a bylaw, and obstructing or threatening an enforcement officer. Infringement fines may also apply under the Litter Act 1979, including a higher fine for dumping offensive or hazardous waste.Section 22 of the Act sets out defences to a freedom camping offence.
1. The Christchurch City Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2015 is revoked.
2. Any permission, consent, agreement or any other act of authority which originated under the Christchurch City Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2015, or which was continued by that bylaw and which is still in force at the commencement of this bylaw continues to have full force and effect for the purpose of this bylaw.
3. This bylaw is implied into and forms any part of any permission, consent, or any other act of authority continued by this clause.
4. The revocation of the Christchurch City Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2015 does not prevent any legal proceedings, criminal or civil, being taken to enforce that bylaw and such proceedings continue to be dealt with and completed as if that bylaw had not been revoked.
The initial resolution to make this bylaw was passed by the Christchurch City Council at a meeting on 13 August 2015 and was confirmed, following consideration of submissions received during a special consultative procedure, by a resolution at a subsequent meeting of the Council on 26 November 2015.
The bylaw was amended by the Council on 2 November 2016, and the amendments came into force on 1 December 2016.
The bylaw was amended by the Council on 8 November 2018, and the amendments came into force on 1 December 2018.
The 2015 bylaw was reviewed and replaced with the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 on 11 November 2021, which came into force on 1 December 2021.
Prohibited area | Description of prohibited area |
Central City(external link) Prohibited Area(external link) |
Christchurch Central City – all Council-owned and/or -managed land between and inclusive of |
New Brighton Prohibited Area(external link) |
New Brighton North Ramp and South Ramp Off-street car parks – all Council-owned and/or -managed land off-street car parks, immediately north and south of the New Brighton Pier. |
North Beach Car Park Prohibited Area(external link) |
The car park area alongside Marine Parade, between the North Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and the North New Brighton Community Centre. Applies at weekends, from 7pm Fridays until 7pm Sundays, and between 1 October and 1 May each year. |
Southshore Spit Prohibited Area(external link) |
All Council-owned and/or managed land in the area between the eastern coastline of the city and south of Caspian Street (including both sides of Caspian Street) to the foreshore of Southshore Spit Reserve. |
Rāpaki Prohibited Area(external link) |
Rāpaki Settlement – all Council owned and managed land beside and between Governors Bay Road and the foreshore at Rāpaki Jetty. |
Naval Point Prohibited Area(external link) |
All Council-owned and/or managed land in the Naval Point area is prohibited to freedom camping (other than in the sign-posted area where certified self-contained vehicles can camp for up to two nights in any 30-day period) |
Lyttelton Prohibited Area(external link) |
Lyttelton Main Business Area – Council owned and/or -managed land between and inclusive of London Street, Oxford Street, Norwich Quay, and Dublin Street. |
Birdlings Flat Prohibited Area(external link) | Birdlings Flat residential zone – all Council-owned and/or -managed land. The residential zone within the Birdlings Flat settlement area, from 107 Poranui Beach Road, Hill View Rd, Forest View Road, Lake Terrace Road, Clifton St and Coates Roads to the foreshore of Burlington Bay |
Ōnawe Flat Road Prohibited Area(external link) | Ōnawe Flat Road – all Council-owned and/or -managed land including Ōnawe Point and all areas of Ōnawe Flat Road, up to but excluding the Duvauchelle settlement. |
Takamatua Prohibited Area(external link) |
Takamatua – all Council-owned and/or -managed land including the road and coastline along Takamatua Bay Road to its intersection with McRae’s Road and including McRae’s Road; and the hillside residential area including Bellbird Lane, Quail Crescent, Kingfisher Road, Fantail Lane, Kōtare Lane, and Lushingtons Bay Road, as shown on the map. |
French Farm Prohibited Area(external link) |
French Farm – All Council-owned and/or -managed land including the roads and foreshore. |
Wainui Prohibited Area(external link) |
Wainui – including Stanbury Park. All Council-owned and/or -managed land, including the roads and foreshore. |
Akaroa Prohibited Area(external link) |
Akaroa Prohibited Area – All Council-owned and/or managed land in Akaroa township is prohibited to freedom camping (other than in the marked parking spaces in the Akaroa Freedom Camping Area, where certified self-contained vehicles can camp for up to two nights in any 30-day period). The Akaroa prohibited area includes:
|
Ōnuku Prohibited Area(external link) |
Ōnuku – All Council-owned and/or -managed land including the roads and foreshore within the Ōnuku settlement area. |
Purau Prohibited Area(external link) | Purau – All Council-owned and/or -managed land along the foreshore of Purau Bay. |
Koukourarata / Port Levy Prohibited Area(external link) | Koukourarata / Port Levy settlement – All Council-owned and/or -managed land within the Koukourarata/Port Levy settlement area. |
Addington Park Car Park Prohibited Area(external link) | Addington Park Car Park – No written description. Please see map. |
Lower Styx Rivermouth Prohibited Area(external link) | Lower Styx River mouth – No written description. Please see map. |
Windsport Park Prohibited Area(external link) | All of the land at Windsport Park near Humphrey’s Drive, including Windsurfers Reserve, Woolston/Ferrymead (as shown on the map) |
Restricted area | Description of restricted area |
Christchurch Urban Restricted Area(external link) |
Christchurch City – all Council-owned and/or -managed land in the greater City urban areas, including Lyttleton, Cass Bay, Corsair Bay, Rāpaki and Governors Bay, excluding and bounded by prohibited areas. |
City Coastal Restricted Zone(external link) |
City Coastal Restricted Zone - All Council-owned and/or -managed land along the eastern coastline of the city, including part of North New Brighton, all of New Brighton, all of South New Brighton, and ending to the north of Southshore. That is, the area bounded by and including Larnach Street in the north (including Sandholm Close), west along Beach Road to Bower Avenue, down Bower Avenue, and then from the Wainoni Road Bridge on New Brighton Road along the eastern side of the Ōtakaro Avon River and the Avon-Heathcote Estuary / Te Ihutai to South New Brighton, and ending immediately adjacent to the north side of Caspian Street, then following the eastern coastline back up to Marine Parade and Beach Road corner, as shown on the map. |
Akaroa Freedom Camping Area (restricted area)(external link) | Akaroa Freedom Camping Area is located at the northern end of Akaroa, south of Woodills Road / State Highway 75, and in the north eastern part of Akaroa Boat Park. There are two rows of freedom camping parking spaces to the west of the Akaroa Croquet Club (one row with seven larger parks, and one row with eight medium parks). A third row of freedom camping parking spaces is located alongside the northern fork of Grehan Stream (with three medium parks). Freedom camping parking spaces are clearly marked on-site. |
Naval Point Freedom Camping Area (restricted area)(external link) |
Naval Point Freedom Camping Area is signposted on site, and is located to the north of the access road that continues on from Charlotte Jane Quay. |
Governor’s Bay Restricted Area(external link) | Governor’s Bay residential zone – No written description. Please see map. |
Diamond Harbour Restricted Area(external link) |
Diamond Harbour – All Council-owned and/or -managed land within the Diamond Harbour area, excluding the prohibited area in Purau Bay. |
Purau Restricted Area(external link) | Purau residential area – No written description. Please see map. |
Little River Restricted Area(external link) |
Little River settlement – No written description. Please see map. |
Takamatua Restricted Area(external link) |
Takamatua residential zone – All Council-owned and/or -managed land within the Takamatua settlement area on the flat, including a portion of Takamatua Bay Road and Old French Farm Road. |
Duvauchelle Restricted Area(external link) |
Duvauchelle settlement – No written description. Please see map. |
Robinson’s Bay Restricted Area(external link) |
Robinson’s Bay – All Council-owned and/or -managed land within the Robinson’s Bay area. Please see map. |
There are three ways to access the maps.
An interactive map can be found on our camping page.
The maps can be accessed by clicking on the links in the table above(external link), or a complete copy of the Schedule 2 maps can be viewed by downloading the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 with maps and descriptions [PDF, 2.3 MB].