Guidance, not a contract
Responsible Camping Standards
Practical guidance for looking after private land, neighbours and the environment.
- Entity
- ParkUp.nz Limited
- Document ID and version
- responsible-camping · 2026.1
- Published
- 12 July 2026
- Effective
- 12 July 2026
ParkUp works because private landowners are willing to share safe places for travellers to park up. That trust depends on every guest treating the land, the host, the neighbours, the water, the animals, and the next traveller with care.
These standards sit alongside NZ law, council rules, public-land camping rules, host instructions, and common sense.
The simple rule
Leave the place clean, safe, and respected.
If you would not want it left at your home, do not leave it on someone else's land.
Why this matters
ParkUp is not just about finding somewhere to sleep. It is about creating a better way for travellers and landowners to meet.
Respect hosts
Hosts choose to open part of their home, land, driveway, paddock, or shared space. Follow their rules, communicate clearly, and remember that permission is personal.
Protect land and water
Greywater, toilet waste, rubbish, soap, food scraps, fires, vehicles, and pets all affect the places we move through. Care for the land as something alive, not as a backdrop.
Leave places ready for the next person
A good stay makes the next stay possible. Leave no mess, no damage, no awkward surprises, and no reason for a host to close the gate.
The ParkUp standards
Ten practical standards for travelling with care. These are guidance, while the host's agreed site rules and the Community Standards remain binding.
Toilets and human waste
Use the facilities provided, or manage waste using your own self-contained system. Never leave human waste on the ground or in waterways. Use approved dump stations for black water.
Greywater and wastewater
Do not pour greywater onto land, gardens, drains, or waterways unless the host provides an approved disposal point. Carry it out and use a dump station.
Rubbish and recycling
Take all rubbish with you unless the host provides bins. Do not leave waste behind, burn rubbish, or use public bins not intended for camping waste.
Host rules and private land
Every property has its own guidelines. Read the listing, follow the instructions, and if unsure, ask first. Stay within approved areas and respect boundaries.
Noise, neighbours, lights, and generators
Keep noise to a minimum, especially at night. Be considerate of nearby neighbours. Avoid running generators or bright lights unless the host permits it.
Pets, animals, and stock
Only bring pets where allowed and disclosed. Keep pets controlled. Be mindful of livestock, native wildlife, and farm animals. Clean up after your pets.
Fires and cooking
Only light fires where explicitly permitted by the host and where there is no fire ban in place. Check local fire restrictions. Always fully extinguish before leaving.
Waterways, soil, plants, and biosecurity
Stay on designated areas. Do not drive on soft ground. Close gates. Check, clean, and dry gear to prevent spreading freshwater pests between waterways.
If something goes wrong
Tell the host promptly if something breaks, spills, or goes wrong. Communicate honestly. Contact ParkUp support if you need help resolving a situation.
Leave it better
Aim to leave every stay a little better than you found it. Do a final walk around for rubbish, gear, and pet waste. Thank the host with a short, honest message.
For travellers: before you request a stay
Before sending a request, check the listing properly and make sure the stay fits your vehicle, your needs, and the host's setup.
- I have read the listing properly
- I know whether I need to be self-contained
- I know whether toilet access is available
- I know where my greywater and toilet waste will go
- I know what to do with rubbish and recycling
- I know the arrival and departure expectations
- I understand the host's rules around pets, fires, noise, gates, and visitors
- I know whether my vehicle length and access needs suit the site
- I will leave the place clean, safe, and respected
For hosts: make expectations clear
Clear listings prevent awkward stays. If something matters, say it before a traveller requests to stay.
- Have I clearly stated whether toilet access is available?
- Have I said whether travellers must be self-contained?
- Have I explained rubbish and recycling rules?
- Have I explained greywater and toilet waste rules?
- Have I listed quiet hours?
- Have I set pet rules clearly?
- Have I set fire and cooking rules clearly?
- Have I described access, gates, parking, and vehicle-size limits?
- Have I noted hazards, soft ground, stock, waterways, neighbours, or sensitive areas?
- Have I checked whether council, insurance, tax, or camping-ground rules may apply?
How ParkUp supports responsible stays
ParkUp is designed to reduce surprises and keep hosts in control.
- Request-to-stay only. No instant booking. Hosts approve or decline each request.
- Exact addresses stay hidden until the right approval point.
- Hosts set their own rules, facilities, vehicle limits, and stay conditions.
- Travellers can check listing details before requesting.
- Hosts and travellers can use messages to clarify expectations.
- Support is available if something goes wrong.
- Users who ignore host rules, dump waste, damage property, or behave unsafely may be removed.
Private land, public rules, and local responsibility
ParkUp connects travellers with private hosts, but private land is not a free pass. Council rules, district plans, camping-ground regulations, insurance, tax, fire restrictions and biosecurity rules can still apply. Freedom camping bylaws govern public land within their scope rather than automatically governing every private ParkUp stay.
Hosts are responsible for checking what applies to their property. Travellers are responsible for following host instructions and the law of the land they are on. These standards are practical guidance, not legal advice.
Read Legal and Safety →Looking for somewhere on private land, with a host who has said yes first?
Helpful links
Official and trusted sources for caring for Aotearoa while you travel.
NZ Government: Freedom camping
Overview of freedom camping rules and responsibilities in Aotearoa.
PGDB: Self-contained vehicle requirements
Official requirements for certified self-contained vehicles.
Camping.org.nz: How to camp with care
Practical guidance for respectful, low-impact camping in New Zealand.
Camping.org.nz: Waste disposal
Help with disposing of rubbish, greywater, and toilet waste responsibly.
NZMCA: Dump stations
Find approved dump stations for greywater and toilet waste across the country.
DOC: Freedom camping on conservation land
Rules for camping on land managed by the Department of Conservation.
DOC: Human waste in the outdoors
How to deal with human waste responsibly when there is no toilet nearby.
Fire and Emergency NZ: Check It's Alright
Check fire season status and restrictions before lighting any fire.
MPI: Check Clean Dry
Stop the spread of freshwater pests by checking, cleaning, and drying your gear.
Leave No Trace NZ: Seven Principles
The seven core principles for minimising impact in the outdoors.
Tiaki Promise
A shared commitment to care for Aotearoa while travelling.
Ready to travel well?
Find a place that fits your vehicle, your needs, and the way you want to move through Aotearoa.