Freedom Camping rulesNgā ture o te tōpuni noho herekore

Pay Freedom Camping Infringement

It is your responsibility to find legal freedom camping spots. If none are available, please ensure you find alternative accommodation. Freedom camping is a considerable concern to many Napier residents. Following the rules is essential to ensure freedom camping remains available to all.

Where can you camp?

Freedom camping is allowed at the following areas:

BMX Pump Track carpark, Marine Parade

• Vehicles must be self-contained
• 3 nights max. stay

Westshore Beach Reserve 

The Westshore Beach Reserve is closed until further notice. For our FAQs, visit - Changes to Westshore Beach Reserve.

Perfume Point carpark

• 4 vehicles only within the designated spaces (look for the signs)
• Vehicles must be self-contained
• 2 nights max. stay

Foreshore Reserve carpark

• 8 vehicles only in white marked spaces
• Non self-contained vehicles permitted
• 2 nights max. stay

The following rules apply across all sites:

• Please respect the sites. They are public spaces so please consider other users.
• Dispose of all waste in facilities provided, or take it with you.
• No fires, alcohol, tents or washing lines.
• Park in a legal manner in formed parking areas without obstructing footpaths or access ways.
• Self-contained vehicles must clearly display NZS5465:2001 certification
• No person may freedom camp for more than 10 nights in any rolling 30 day period on any land controlled or managed by Napier City Council.

Where else can I camp?

Our bylaw allows certified self-contained vehicles to park anywhere in the Napier district that is not prohibited for one night only. Non-self-contained vehicles are able to park at the Foreshore Reserve site.  However, if there are no spaces available, you must find alternative accommodation.

• Affordable Westshore Holiday Park, 88 Meeanee Quay, Westshore +64 6 835 9456
• Bay View Hotel and Holiday Park, 44 Petane Road, Bay View +64 6 836 6007
• Hawke’s Bay Holiday Park, 3 Onehunga Road, Bay View +64 6 836 6064
• Kennedy Park Resort, 11 Storkey Street, Marewa +64 6 843 9126
• Napier Beach Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels, 10 Gill Road, Bay View +64 6 836 7084

Where can I not freedom camp?

Freedom camping is prohibited in the following places:

• The Westshore Foreshore Reserve 
• The CBD, Marewa, Taradale and Tamatea shopping districts
• McLean Park

What happens if I break the rules?

All sites are regularly monitored. Under the Freedom Camping Act 2011, we can issue an instant $400 fine to anyone breaking the NCC Freedom camping bylaw. You may also be liable for prosecution.

Some of the reasons our enforcement officers issue infringement notices include:

• Freedom camping in the wrong place
• Freedom camping more than the nightly limit
• Damaging an area – its flora or fauna, or any structure
• Lighting fires
• Camping in a tent
• Depositing waste other than in an appropriate waste receptacle.

For more information on freedom camping rules, view the "Related Documents" at the top of the page.

View a map of the freedom camping areas in Napier and Hawke's Bay.

Dump stations

Napier has three public dump stations specifically designed for campervan waste disposal. These stations are marked on the map above.

•    Domain Road, Westshore
•    Marine Parade at the Pump Track Carpark
•    104A Latham Street

For information on other camping and accommodation options visit Napier i-SITE Visitor Centre, Marine Parade or visit www.napiernz.com.