Q: We are very interested in finding out about the Native Parks Motorhome Haven scheme. Please forward details?
A: Native Parks is all about getting you in touch with the local people so that you can experience NZ first hand, it’s also a way for you to free camp without the worry of staying overnight in a public space. Native Parks is a network of motorhome friendly properties and businesses throughout New Zealand in rural locations where you can stay the night at no cost. There is a great variety of places involved like cheese makers and wineries, artist and galleries, action and adventure along with small lifestyle blocks up to large stations. Currently we have 88 Motorhome Havens (places for you to stay), 56 in the North Island and 32 in the South Island.

Q: Have just read about your company which sounds fantastic. We are a couple travelling New Zealand in July by campervan, and this sounds perfect for us. However, do we have to purchase a membership each or per couple?
A: A membership to Native Parks costs $70 NZD ($75NZD from 1/9/10) and this covers everyone travelling together in a single vehicle. Membership can be ordered online through this website. As a member there is no charge to stay at each Motorhome Haven, although some do have facilities such as electrical hook-ups and there may be a small charge if you choose to use these. The membership coincides with two editions, which come out on 1st September each year, so a membership purchased now will be valid to 31st August 2012.

Q: Where are the Motorhome Havens located?
A: Click this link to view a map of New Zealand and the Motorhome Haven locations.

Q: What is the Motorhome Haven availability over December/January?
A: December/January is busy in New Zealand as that coincides with our main summer holiday break, however as Native Parks is only available to travellers in rental motorhomes our peak season is a bit later in February/March. Throughout the year we limit our membership numbers to ensure that there is always a very high availability, so much so I am not aware of any Motorhome Haven that has been overfull. Between the 25th of December and the 1st of January some of the Havens are not available as people have family commitments over this week.

Q: Are you allocated specific pitches/areas, are there any facilities for camping or is it literally just the space to park up?
A: Your host will direct you to the areas you can park and frequently you have several options to choose from depending on the weather. Being private properties the Motorhome Havens are not camping grounds and consequentially the facilities vary from limited up to some with all the options you’d look for in a camping ground. This is why it is important to be travelling in a fully self-contained vehicle (has shower/toilet).

Q: Hello, we are planning a trip to New Zealand in September and early October and are very interested in using your Native Parks to stay at.  We will be travelling in a motorhome and wondered if your sites have power.
A: Some of the Native Parks sites do have electrical hook-ups (~10%), which are shown in the guidebook to help with planning ahead. Motorhomes are designed to be stand-alone and to achieve this heating is from ducted gas, though the blower fan does run from the battery. Running the fan on top of refrigeration and lights will discharge the house-hold battery sooner than in summer months, but there will be plenty to see you though the night assuming you are starting with a charged house-hold battery. The house-hold battery is charged as you drive and also on trickle charge when you are plugged into mains power. You do need to do a reasonable amount of driving in the day to fully recharge the house-hold battery and if discharging a lot then plugging into mains power perhaps 1 night in 3 will refresh it completely.

Q: Could you please clarify what you mean by "fully self-contained campervans"?  I'm assuming you mean that we have to have our own toilets, shower and grey water storage in our vans/motorhomes?
A: Yes, having a shower and toilet with grey water tanks will mean that you're fully self-contained. To be fully self-contained your vehicle is "designed to completely meet the ablution and sanitary needs of the occupants for at least three days, be equipped with water storage tanks for drinking and cooking and with waste water tanks". Rental vehicles set up with a shower and toilet will meet this definition.

Q: I chanced across your site the other day as my family and I are planning a trip to NZ. My wife and I think your offering is a great idea. We have 3 children 12yo, 10yo and 4yo and we will be traveling via camper van in the North Island in October, do you think Native Parks would be suitable for us?
A: Yes, Native Parks is family friendly and with a wide range of places to visit there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

Q: Hello, I have just found your website and am interested in becoming a member however I am wondering if it may be a little too late as I arrive next week?
A: We are able to deliver to anywhere in New Zealand within 3 working days, to Australia in 3 – 6 working days and the rest of the world in 6 – 10 working days. We can also arrange to have your membership pack meet you when you collect your vehicle, if you would like us to do this please note your rental company, collection depot, booking reference and collection date in the comment field at the bottom of the membership form or contact us directly.

Q: Our group is travelling together in three motorhomes and I wonder whether the Motorhome Havens would be able to have all of us at one time.
A: The number of sites at each Motorhome Haven are limited to a maximum of 5, though the properties each set their own level within this. Around half of the Motorhome Havens have 5 sites. A convoy of three vehicles is fine, more than this is difficult if it is the summer period.

Q: We have a small Jack Russell and wondered if any sites allow dogs?
A: Unfortunately because of the Health and Safety requirements that many of the properties are required to operate under we cannot accommodate pets.

Q: I am interested in a membership, but want to know how long it will take the guide book to get to me in the USA; or perhaps it's available for download after the membership is purchased?
A: There is a full list of the Motorhome Havens online in the Members Area and many have links to their websites. Also available for download from the Members Area is the guidebook supplement which contains updates and new listings that have been added since printing. Shipping to the USA takes 6 - 10 working day or we can arrange to have your membership pack meet you when you arrive in New Zealand.

Q: We are planning a trip to NZ in December, touring in a campervan. Just wondering when to purchase our membership as I see it runs from Sept but it would be useful info to have now to plan our trip.
A: Your Native Parks membership entitles you to two years membership (September - August). We will send you your membership pack straight away and automatically send you your second year’s membership if your travel dates fall in the next year. If you are travelling in the same year as you join please let us know around September if you would like your second year and we will send it to you.

Q: We have been told by our travel agent that "free camping" is no longer legal/available in NZ. We are touring by campervan for 14 nights in Feb, is your organisation still operating/valid?
A: Yes, Native Parks is definitely valid and operating. The Freedom Camping that your travel agent refers to is just parking up anywhere in a public space, say rest areas, parks and reserves or the beach front. Native Parks is a network of private properties that you can stay on free of charge, so it’s different and is allowed. Another big plus with Native Parks is you get to meet the local people while you stay on their properties, there is a diverse range of people involved doing all sorts of interesting and varied things. Your travel agent is largely correct about Freedom Camping, it is increasingly restricted and in places actively enforced. Unfortunately there is no simple answer on what is allowed as each district, and there are 72 of these, have their own rules. The rules for each district are covered in detail in the Native Parks guidebook.

Q: I am visiting New Zealand and would like to hire a motorhome, can you provide a quote or recommend a company.
A: Native Parks recommends you to our partner motorhome rental companies, they will be pleased to assist your rental enquiries.