In New Zealand, the legality of living in your car is a nuanced issue governed by "Freedom Camping" laws. While it is not "illegal" to sleep in a vehicle in a general sense, most districts have strict bylaws that prohibit sleeping in "non-self-contained" vehicles (standard cars) in public areas or city centers. To camp legally for free, your vehicle usually must be certified as "Self-Contained" under the new 2024/2025 standards, meaning it has a fixed toilet and waste storage. If you are caught sleeping in a standard car on public land not designated for camping, you can face an instant infringement fine of $400 or more. However, New Zealand is very "van-life" friendly, and there are thousands of designated Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites and low-cost "Freedom Camping" sites where you can stay legally for a few dollars. If you are in a housing crisis, local councils and social services often provide "Safe Sleep" areas, but for a traveler, the best advice is to stick to official campgrounds or use apps like "CamperMate" to find spots where standard car sleeping is permitted.