Freedom Camping
Council’s welcoming stance toward freedom camping was recognised in 2010 when the district was awarded motorhome-friendly status by the NZ Motorhomes Association.
Freedom camping in the Kawerau District must be in a self-contained vehicle or self-contained caravan only.
Council encourages responsible freedom camping in the Kawerau District and has designated two reserves as freedom camping areas. These designated areas are Prideaux Park and Firmin Field.
Prideaux Park
This site has 4 power connections at the streamside area behind the Prideaux Park Pavilion.
Prideaux Park is a geothermal area, so sleeping in anything other than a self-contained motor vehicle with an aboveground floor is strictly prohibited.
Firmin Field
This site has 5 power connections at the streamside area behind the Firmin Lodge and another 6 power connections on the Firmin Lodge building.
Freedom campers may also use the sealed car park at Firmin Field. Access to Firmin Field is from Waterhouse Street.
How much does it cost to stay in a powered site and how long can you stay?
Users must pay a $40 bond at the Kawerau isite. Per night cost $12. Payment for nights must be paid when paying bond.
Freedom campers are welcome to stay in the Kawerau District for up to 7 nights in any one calendar month and cannot cross over to the next month.
Boyce Park, Stoneham Park & Waterhouse Street Reserve
These reserves are available for use by organised groups in fully self-contained motor vehicles.
Arrangements will be made to open the gates when campers arrive and lock them again when they leave.
To book one of these sites, please contact the Council Customer Service Officers. >>Contact us
Additional Services:
• Council provides a dump station at the end of the carpark (signposted) for the safe disposal of wastewater.
• Council also provides potable drinking water (the tap is located on the Firmin Lodge Building).
Infringements
Council has approved the introduction of an infringement regime for Freedom Camping Offences under its Freedom Camping Bylaw 2019.
Details of the infringements and fines, and the infringement process, are available on the council website. Use this link to the Freedom Camping section of the Council's website.
