Campervans and New Zealand go hand in hand, the perfect pairing of adventure and freedom set against a most breathtaking natural backdrop.
And self-contained campervans are setting the bar high when it comes to selecting your home-on-wheels for your epic New Zealand travel.
‘Self-contained’ status is awarded by the New Zealand government to campervans that meet a set of requirements designed to, you guessed it, demonstrate that a vehicle is 100% self-contained. This status is more than just the blue badge you will see proudly displayed in the windows of campervans you pass during your road trip though; it is a key that unlocks some rather special privileges…
…but before we get to these privileges, what exactly makes a campervan self-contained?
- It has a fixed toilet, one that can be emptied without removing its base
- It has a sink that is connected to, and drains to, a waterlight greywater tank
- It has a water supply system in the form of freshwater tanks, that hold 12 litres of water per person for three days
- It has a blackwater tank that can hold the same – or greater – amount of waste for three days safely and hygienically
- It is equipped for wastewater disposal, and is able to dispose of this wastewater hygienically
- It has a rubbish bin – with a lid
- Once qualified as ‘self-contained’, the campervan must clearly display its awarded certificate
What are the benefits of travelling New Zealand in a self-contained campervan?
- A super budget-friendly accommodation option, self-contained campervans are (much!) more affordable than hotels and Airbnb, especially when splitting the cost with your travel buddies
- Super flexible: you can hit the open road and don’t look back!
- Eco-friendly – they eliminate waste and store it in the campervan before being deposited into official dumping stations (and it is important to note that the driver of the campervan is recognised as being responsible for the dumping of the wastewater), an important feature as it ensures the preservation of New Zealand’s clean environment and ecology
- The self-contained certification unlocks freedom camping, in the form of the greatly prized blue sticker you will have displayed in your campervan…
Freedom Camping!
The clue is in the name – when you freedom camp, you have access to an abundance of free – and beautiful – spots to park up in and call home for the night. The rules are pretty simple: you must be in a self-contained campervan, and leave zero waste behind when you depart. The New Zealand government rules are pretty strict on this and you must abide by them – the fines (and the guilt) can be hefty if you break them. You can check out the official New Zealand government website with all the details you need to know here.
The benefits of freedom camping are vast:
- Most sites are FREE, meaning you are saving money
- You are able to travel super flexibly, and travel (literally) where the wind takes you
- You are granted access to extra-special spots of natural beauty, only available to self-contained campervans
- Freedom camping supports a more sustainable form of travelling. Not harming the environment and Mother Earth while you road trip is a big deal, and one to feel really good about!
I want to Freedom Camp – sign me up!
Summer Campers have access to all rental companies – and their self-contained campervans – across New Zealand, meaning when you book with us you have your pick of every option available.
Use our search engine to input your details, and make sure you select ‘campervan’ on the top-left corner. Refine your requirements on the left-hand list (for example, select ‘toilet’) and look out for the vans that say ‘self contained’ on the summary under the van photo. These are your golden ticket vans, that unlock not just freedom camping, but a completely self-contained road trip experience for you and your crew.
What are you waiting for?
