How to find housing in New Zealand, from hostels to flatmates

Living in your vehicle, be it a van or a car, or sleeping under a tent can be a cheap way to explore New Zealand. However, you can’t just park anywhere—cities are off-limits, as are certain regions with strict policies on freedom camping, such as Coromandel. The fine for illegal camping is NZ$400.

Although freedom camping may be tolerated, some rules still apply. Many areas are reserved for full self-contained campers, i.e., RVs with a toilet and water container (clean and wastewater). These vehicles have a certification sticker

The Department of Conversation (DOC) runs free basic campsites but there are few of them compared with standard and backcountry campsites (NZ$8), scenic campsites (NZ$15) and serviced campsites (NZ$30).

Check out the list of DOC campsites here.

You’ll also find many private or municipal campsites, many of them well-equipped. They may have a communal kitchen, TV room, laundry and other facilities. Holiday parks or motor camps are generally the best equipped, but also the most expensive. The two main networks are Top 10 and Kiwi Holiday Parks, plus a multitude of independent or municipal campsites.

Rates per person range from NZ$10 to NZ$80 per night. Discounts may apply for longer stays.

If you’re a seasonal worker, you’ll find out that employers sometimes offer campsites for NZ$5 to NZ$10 per person per night. Showers are not always included in the campsite rates, so expect to pay an extra NZ$1 to NZ$10. Showers are sometimes available to non-residents of the campsite.

For more info, read Everything you need to know to plan for a campervan road trip.