MikeAqua:

 

sigod:

 

Do they really have toilets in the vans?

 

 

The minimum requirement is a portaloo (with 12L waste storage per person) and portable containers of water (12L per person).  Portaloos are generally 20L or less, so a passenger vehicle with one is probably only certifiable for 1 person.  But most/many have two occupants.

 

They are also supposed to have a sink, but this can be a simple portable sink (running water isn't required).  

 

 

 

In Nelson freedom-campers were allowed to overnight in the main carpark.  You would see regularly see grey water being discharged onto the ground.

 

The 12L/day water requirements are for each clean & gray water, not the black water (Toilet waste), which has a lesser limit as outlined in by another poster.

A street near mine used to be the nearest to a major cbd without time limited parking. A one stage there was a collection of three 4wd's (Izuzu bighorn style), each with a pair of 25L plastic tanks strapped to the rear mounted spare tire, and self containment stickers on the back. Quite clever to comply with the rules I thought.

Obviously we don't just need to require self contained vans to have a toilet, but also require is to be sufficiently accessible that using it is easier than using roadside vegetation. Of course this is a pity for New Zealanders that travel in smaller vehicles that always do the right thing.

Also 12L is not really enough to wash dishes and the likes which leads to campers using beach-side showers and the likes to do their dishes.

I think it sucks that commercial campgrounds are failing while the rates they pay are going to council services to support free camping sites. It is time to reset this. We could consider getting rid of free camping completly, making it only for NZ citizens & residents, or seriously stepping up self contained requirements (100L fresh water min, grey tank must be bigger than fresh water tank, Toilet must be in a room of minimum 800x1000x1500 tall.