Community invited to give feedback on Freedom Camping Bylaw Buller District

Buller District Council has reviewed its Freedom Camping Bylaw to ensure it remains consistent with the requirements of the Freedom Camping Act 2011 and continues to reflect local circumstances in Buller.

Group Manager Regulatory Services Simon Bastion says: “As part of the review, Council has carefully assessed all areas where prohibitions on freedom camping are being considered.”

The bylaw, in line with the Freedom Camping Act 2011, limits freedom camping to self-contained vehicles and sets out some general rules around freedom camping throughout the district.

The bylaw applies only to public land managed and controlled by Buller District Council and does not cover Crown land administered by the Department of Conservation and Land Information New Zealand or land managed by the New Zealand Transport Authority. Reserve land administered by council is also excluded from the bylaw.

“The bylaw covers areas where Buller District Council has authority to regulate freedom camping and ensures we meet the requirements of national legislation, including the Freedom Camping Act 2011 and the Self-Contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023,”

"Within these boundaries we have created a bylaw that appropriately balances the benefits of freedom camping with the need to protect the environment, maintain access to public spaces and take into account the impact on local communities" explains Mr Bastion.

The Draft Freedom Camping Bylaw 2026 was adopted for consultation, along with its related Statement of Proposal on 28 October 2026 by Council.

The Statement of Proposal outlines the content of the proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw, explains the review process, provides guidance on how to provide feedback, and outlines next steps. There is also an assessment of prohibited sites which provides background on each site where freedom camping is not allowed.

The community is encouraged to find out more about the proposed way freedom camping could be managed in Buller and make a submission by 4:30 pm on Monday 14 December 2026. Submissions outside this date won't be accepted.

Submissions from the public are welcomed through council’s engagement platform, Let’s Talk Buller, or by downloading a submission form and submitting via email to submissions@bdc.govt.nz, posting to Buller District Council, PO Box 21, Westport 7866, or

delivering it to Council’s offices in Westport or Reefton, Buller District Libraries, Ngakawau Community Centre, or Karamea Information Centre.

Hearings and deliberations on the public feedback received will be held in February 2027, prior to the final Freedom Camping Bylaw 2026 being adopted in March.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.