Matthias
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Waihi ▷
Island View Reserve
3.5/5
There is a toilet, a grey water dump, a drinking water supply and though it is near the road it is quiet at night.
Sunset at the nearby beach is quite nice to watch.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
BMX Pump Track Carpark, Marine Parade
3.5/5
Conviently located close to Napier City.
In order to optimise available space parking is cozy close to your neighbor if it is full.
There are toilets, drinking water, a cold outside shower and a grey water dump station. More than you could ask for without paying. Council checks on the duration of your stay though.
There may be the odd freight train going past in the middle of the night some 100 metres away and they are a little noisy - the only downside of this spot.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Hicks Bay ▷
East Cape Campground
3.0/5
A pit toilet with no toilet paper and a handwashing basin in a field with cows that is basically what you will get for 6$.
The views towards the sea are good and the East Cape is 20 minutes drive on gravel away. 2WD will manage.
At the time of visit maintenance work was undertaken on some of the facilities at the camp ground. Maybe they get a facelift.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Opua ▷
Hundertwasser Carpark, Kawakawa
2.0/5
The previously designated are is now a construction site - the Kawakawa Hundertwasser Park being built.
Freedom camping still allowed and possible, just not the most pleasant for the time being.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Stratford ▷
Stratford Township Freedom Camping
3.0/5
Don't be put off by the fact that there are no indications about freedom camping.
We spent a night there without any hassle. Would not stay longer as there is not much to see or do in town. Toilets are clean and open 6am-6pm, but there are 24 h toilets approx 10 mins walking distance from the site. Site is beside the road, but really quiet at night.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Government Gardens Thermal Area
4.0/5
Small quiet place almost dead centre in town.
Spaces are limited to approximately 15 and the nearby toilets at the local Lawn Bowls Club are locked at night, from earlier than 8p.m. to later than 8a.m. - at least when I visited. Opening times are not displayed.
There are no other facilities.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Cambridge ▷
Horahora Domain
4.0/5
Spacious green area next to the water.
Swimming is possible in designated area. Clean toilets. No fresh water supply. Take your rubbish with you!
Great place to stay for free.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Orewa ▷
Laurie Southwick Parade, Gulf Harbour
3.5/5
As there seems to be some confusion as to where camping is allowed: It is the eastern end of the parking lot next to the water.
The area is marked off by a (more or less visible) yellow line, so are the individual parking lots as opposed to white lines used in the rest of the car park.
Parking lots designated for camping may be used by day time visitors, too. If nothing is free when you arrive asking around if somebody does not intend to spend the night may secure a space when the day visitors are leaving.