Wairoa is a great place to explore, and as the weather warms up, more visitors flock to the district.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Matt Lawson describes Wairoa as a beautiful part of the East Coast with stunning lakes and beaches. “Over Labour Weekend, we saw hundreds of visitors enjoying Wairoa’s natural attractions, and it is great to be able to share the beauty of Wairoa.

“We welcome responsible campers and remind visitors to please respect our district and help keep our natural spaces clean and beautiful.”

Council staff are active in the district monitoring sites and sharing information with campers.

Freedom camping is permitted in any local authority area within the district, other than restricted or prohibited areas.

We ask all campers to please:

• Use public toilets available in the area
• Use local laundry facilities to wash your clothes
• Enjoy local facilities for bathing
• Dispose of your waste/rubbish at designated areas (e.g. Wairoa landfill)
• Ensure your black water (sewage) and grey water (shower, sink and hand basin water) holding tanks are discharged at designated wastewater dump stations

For more information about freedom camping and how to make the most of your visit to Wairoa, head to the Council’s website www.wairoadc.govt.nz and check out the freedom camping brochure.

3 November 2025

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