Green Warrant 2026: is your caravan or motorhome still legal to freedom camp?
The short version
- Blue warrants expire 7 June 2026 (or when they run out, whichever is first).
- The new green warrant needs a permanently fixed toilet. A portable toilet on its own no longer qualifies.
- Green warrants last four years and cost an inspection fee plus a $120 (incl. GST) government levy.
- A yellow (NZMCA) warrant still allows portable toilets — but only works at NZMCA parks and some private grounds, not public freedom-camping sites.
- Renting a campervan? Your rental is almost certainly already certified — this is mainly an issue for people who own their rig.
What's actually changing
New Zealand has moved its self-containment certification onto a new government-backed footing, run through the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) with a national register of certified vehicles. The headline date is 7 June 2026: from then, the old blue warrant card is no longer accepted, and only a vehicle holding the new green warrant can freedom camp where self-containment is required.
"Self-contained" means your vehicle can carry its own fresh water, hold its own waste water, and let you go to the toilet without relying on public facilities — for at least three days. That basic idea hasn't changed. What has changed is how strict the toilet rule is.
Blue, green and yellow — what each one means
| Warrant | Toilet allowed | Valid for | Freedom camp on public land? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue (old standard) | Portable was fine | Expires 7 June 2026 | Yes, until 7 June 2026 only |
| Green (new govt standard) | Fixed toilet required | 4 years | Yes — this is the one councils & DOC accept |
| Yellow (NZMCA) | Portable allowed | 10 years | No — NZMCA parks & some private grounds only |
The fixed-toilet rule is the one that catches people
Under the old blue standard, a good-quality portable toilet was enough. Under the new green warrant, the toilet must be permanently fixed to the vehicle and usable inside it. A cassette toilet that's permanently mounted and plumbed counts; a portable chemical toilet you lift in and out does not.
If you've been freedom camping for years with a portable toilet, this is the change that affects you most. You'll either need to fit a fixed toilet to get a green warrant, or accept that a yellow (NZMCA) warrant limits you to NZMCA parks and private grounds rather than public freedom-camping spots.
Does my setup qualify for a green warrant?
Six quick questions for a plain-English read on where you stand. This is a self-check to help you prepare — only an approved certifier can actually issue a green warrant.
What to do next
- Check your current warrant. Find your card and note the colour and expiry. A blue card is invalid from 7 June 2026 regardless of its printed expiry.
- Sort the fixed toilet first if you don't have one — it's the long-lead item and the one most likely to need a fitter.
- Book a green warrant inspection with an approved certifier. Demand spikes near the deadline, so book early.
- Keep the certificate and register entry handy — enforcement officers and some council apps check the national register.
Where to get certified
Green warrants are issued by approved certifiers regulated through the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. The PGDB self-contained vehicles page is the official starting point, and the NZMCA's self-containment FAQs are a good plain-English reference if you're a member. Expect to pay an inspection fee plus the $120 (incl. GST) government levy, for a warrant that's valid four years.
Sorted your warrant? Don't forget the rest →Run the free Touring Brain pre-departure checklist before you roll — it adapts to your rig type and catches the things owners forget.
This guide is general information to help you prepare, not legal or compliance advice, and rules can change. Always confirm current requirements with the PGDB, your certifier and the local council for wherever you plan to camp — councils set their own freedom-camping bylaws. Touring Brain is independent and not affiliated with the PGDB, NZMCA, DOC or any certifier.