What is Certified Self Containment?Â
The voluntary Standard Self containment of motor caravans and caravans (NZS 5465:2001) (the Standard) specifies the requirements for “water supply, sanitary plumbing and drainage installation and solid waste containment in motor caravans and caravans for the purpose of obtaining a self-containment certificate.
Why should I certify my caravan or motorhome?
A certified self-contained vehicle with a green warrant card is required if you want to freedom camp in most public areas. It also provides local authorities and communities with greater confidence that the occupants are responsible campers and pose minimal risk to the environment and public health.
How do I get certified?Â
At Infinity Caravans & Motorhomes, Daniel is NZ Lifestyle camping approved self containment officer. If you want to freedom camp with your caravan, it will need a green warrant to certify that it’s self-contained, meaning it can operate independently without external facilities for waste disposal, water, or other essential services. At Infinity Caravans Motorhomes, we have all the parts necessary to convert your UK/European caravan and can do the Green Warrant certification for you.
General self containment for caravan including all plumbing parts provided $850+ GST, vehicle self contained & certification signed by officer. (Tanks not included)
Please note there will be a Government levy of $120/ per vehicle due once the vehicle has passed the test, plus processing documentation fee $169.00+GST this will be payable before the self-containment can be processed and issued.
NZ Lifestyle Camping
Self Contained Green
Self Containment- Green Warrant
The Government has updated the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations). The updated Regulations come into force on 29 August 2024.
The amended Regulations are:
- Only permanently fixed wastewater storage tanks are required to be directly ventilated to the exterior of the motor vehicle.
- That self-containment certification authorities will refund levy payments to individuals whose vehicles fail their inspection.
Read the full detail of the Regulations for self-contained motor vehicles:
Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Amendment Regulations 2024(external link) — New Zealand Legislation
Infringement fees and fines
In July 2023 Regulations setting out infringement fees and fines came into law.
For example, these infringements apply to:
- inappropriately disposing of waste
- interfering with, or damaging, the environment
- not leaving a local authority area when required to do so by an enforcement officer.
Find out more about infringement fees and penalties levels:
If you own a private vehicle you can only freedom camp on local authority land if your vehicle is certified as self-contained. This means that from now until 7 June 2026, all private vehicles must have either a ‘Blue warrant’ or ‘Green warrant’ certificate of self-containment.
From 7 June 2026 onwards, all private vehicles must be inspected and certified under the new Green warrant requirements and display a Green warrant to be able to freedom camp.
Blue warrantsÂ
- If your private vehicle is already certified as self-contained (with an existing blue warrant card) then you can continue to freedom camp until your Blue warrant expires or until 7 June 2026 (whichever date comes first).Â
- From now, if your Blue warrant expires or you need a new warrant, you will need to be certified under the new green warrant system.
- Blue warrants will stop being valid on 7 June 2026. From then, all vehicles must be certified under the new Green warrant card system.
Green warrantsÂ
- If you are seeking to have your private vehicle certified as self-contained under the new green warrant requirements, you need to have your vehicle certified by a Certification Authority.
- Visit the Register to find a Certification Authority operating in your region.
- This certification will be valid for four years. Â
- To receive a Green warrant, your vehicle must meet requirements in relation to its water supply system, fixed toilet, wastewater system, ventilation system, sink, and rubbish storage.
What you need to know about certification for privately owned self-contained vehicles
- Freedom Camping NZ Flowchart – Private Vehicles
- Basic summary of the regulations’ requirement for vehicle to be certified as self-contained.
You can find more information about the new requirements for private self-contained vehicles on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board Website.