As freedom-camping requirements developed in 2023, WCTNZ® joined the consultation on self-contained vehicles to support practical, evidence-based consideration of waterless toilet technology.
Why WCTNZ® became involved
Freedom-camping reform raised understandable questions for vehicle owners: would an existing toilet remain suitable, what would “fixed” mean in practice, and would waterless technology still have a place?
In our July 2023 update, WCTNZ® reported that, following an earlier submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), we had been invited to contribute to consultation on the technical requirements for self-contained vehicles.
Our aim was to bring practical knowledge of waterless sanitation to that discussion. A useful regulatory framework needs to assess secure containment, installation and safe handling, while recognising that different toilet technologies do not all operate in the same way.
Consultation was not a final compliance decision
Participation in consultation did not mean WCTNZ® could announce the outcome in advance. Details shared in confidence needed to remain confidential, and proposals still had to pass through the regulatory process.
Our message at the time was therefore deliberately cautious: we were advocating for workable technology choices, not promising that every existing toilet or installation would qualify.
The principle behind our contribution: assess sanitation against the outcomes it must deliver, rather than assume that every toilet must use the same mechanism.
What vehicle owners needed to establish
Before making an alteration, our recommendation was to gather the exact toilet model, its installation instructions and the intended vehicle layout. Those details provide a more useful basis for assessment than a general label such as “portable”, “composting” or “self-contained”.
This remains a sensible distinction: the toilet is one component of a vehicle’s sanitation arrangement, not a certificate for the whole vehicle. The PGDB’s current framework considers the vehicle’s water, wastewater, ventilation, sink and rubbish facilities as well as its fixed toilet.[1]
How the story developed
The later reports in this News series follow the publication of the regulations, the inspection guidance, the August 2024 amendments and the specialist composting-toilet guidance issued in 2025. They should be read in sequence rather than treating this consultation-stage report as today’s installation checklist.
For a project being assessed now, use the current PGDB information and discuss the proposed installation with the certification authority before committing to equipment.
Planning a vehicle toilet installation?
WCTNZ® can help with product selection and manufacturer documentation for discussion with your installer and certification authority.
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