What is Certified Self-Containment?

Certified self-containment is maintaining and certifying your motor caravan or caravan in accordance with the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Regulations 2023. 

The NZMCA encourages everyone to certify their vehicles in accordance with the regulations, helping to protect the environment and public health from indiscriminate waste disposal. If you wish to freedom camp you will need to have your vehicle certified self-contained under the regulations and be issued a green warrant card.

If your vehicle has a portable toilet, or if it has a fixed toilet but you don’t use it for freedom camping, the NZMCA has developed an internal certification programme to ensure you can remain a member of the NZMCA, visit our parks, and attend our events. This certification has a yellow warrant card.

A certified self-contained vehicle meets the ablutionary and sanitary needs of the occupants for a minimum of three days, without requiring any external services or discharging waste.

Wastewater is then safely disposed of in approved dump stations, which can be found in most camping-grounds and public areas. 

Please avoid the use of non-biodegradable chemicals as they will adversely affect the operation of sewerage networks including biological systems.

Click here to check out other more frequently asked questions about Certified Self-Containment

Not sure if your vehicle is Certified Self Contained?

A displayed warrant card and self-containment certificate demonstrate compliance.

You must display the warrant card on the front windscreen and keep the certificate inside the vehicle so that it may be provided to an enforcement officer upon request.

If you are purchasing a motor caravan or caravan that claims to be certified self-contained make sure that it has a warrant card and certificate. If it has been certified by the NZMCA a copy of the certificate can be obtained here.

Click here to understand more about the three different types of certification and where they can be used.

Important Notice

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Inc (NZMCA) inspects and certifies motor caravans and caravans that belong to current financial members and preferred commercial partners only. 

The NZMCA’s volunteer certification service is not available to non-members, however there are other people and organisations who may be available to assist you (at a cost), for example:

  • Any registered plumber, nationwide
  • NZ Lifestyle Camping - https://www.nzlifestylecamping.com/
  • Self Contained Camper Vans New Zealand – Auckland – http://www.selfcontained.co.nz/

Other Certification Authorities can be found HERE.