Freedom Camping

Hastings District Council provides a number of designated Council sites where overnight camping in clearly marked certified self-contained vehicles is permitted. Overnight camping is only allowed at these designated sites (for a maximum of two nights) or in a holiday park or camping ground. For a map see the
Designated Council Sites page.

Certified self-contained vehicles

A certified self-contained vehicle is designed to meet all of the ablutionary and sanitary needs of the occupants for a minimum of three days. Fresh water for drinking and cooking is stored in tanks, while waste water is collected in waste water tanks and disposed of at a dump station.

A self-containment certificate provides local and regional councils with a way to recognise that a vehicle poses minimal risk to the environment and public health. Being able to easily assess whether vehicles are self-contained allows Council to accommodate motor caravans at reserves and other areas where there are limited or no public facilities. Certification is available through an issuing authority

a) A plumber registered under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 1976; or b) A suitably qualified person, registered under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 1976; or c) Testing officers approved by theNew Zealand Motor Caravan Association.

Vehicles without a clearly displayed current certified self-contained vehicle warrant are not authorised to stay in any of the Hastings District Council designated overnight self-containment sites. They must stay at one of the district’scommercial holiday parks orcamping grounds.

Parking in Council town centre car parks

Metered and timed street parking may be used by motorhomes and campervans as long as the vehicle does not extend beyond the end of the white line which marks the parking space. The advertised fees and time limits apply.

Motor caravan dump stations

Dump stations are located at Napier Road in Havelock North and Kenilworth Road in Hastings.

Recycling and rubbish disposal

All commonly recyclable materials can be disposed of free of charge at one of the two Hastings District Council Refuse Transfer Stations in Haumoana (Mill Road, Clive) and Flaxmere (Henderson Road, Hastings). General rubbish can also be disposed of at the transfer stations for a fee.

For information on the hours of operation and charges see thetransfer stations page.