New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated

What New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated does

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated (NZMCA) is a non-profit, member-owned association founded in 1958 that serves New Zealand's motorhome and caravan community, with over 120,000–123,000 members nationwide. It operates a portfolio of membership benefits including a network of 62+ member-only motorhome parks (grown from 15 since the 2009 Covi partnership) plus three public campgrounds, an online Travel Directory of 2,000+ camping locations and facilities, the Local Deals discount programme reaching 100k+ members, a Park Over Property scheme, the Motorhome Friendly town designation programme, and self-containment inspection services delivered by 300+ volunteer inspectors under the 2023 Self-Contained Motor Vehicles Legislation regime. Its core technology stack is a set of member-facing digital platforms — the nzmca.org.nz website, members portal, NZMCA App (iOS/Android), Travel Directory and Journey Planner — that handle subscriptions, park fee payments, vehicle searches against the certified self-containment database, and deal redemptions; publication channels include The Motor Caravanner magazine (67,000+ printed copies, six issues per year) and online Motor Caravanner content.

NZMCA generates revenue through six streams: recurring membership subscriptions ($102/year with a $150 joining fee, plus a family referral path that waives the joining fee), The Motor Caravanner magazine and classified advertising (rates $72–$286 depending on size), NZMCA park fees (paid via app/online Travel Directory), event fees from the Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Shows and the CampSaver Second-Hand Show (including Park & Stay), self-containment certification levy pass-through ($120 government levy), and a financial contribution from the Covi NZMCA Insurance partnership that has been in place since 2009. Customers span individual RV owners (primary persona), local businesses advertising or offering Local Deals, and local government authorities engaging on Motorhome Friendly designations, freedom camping bylaws, and dump station infrastructure. The association is governed by an elected Board with Area Committees and Special Interest Groups, operates from a national office in Takanini with a publications team in Rosedale (Auckland), and has won successive judicial reviews against the Queenstown-Lakes District Council's 2019 and 2021 freedom camping bylaws.

Name

New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated

Legal name

New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated

Website

https://nzmca.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated is a non-profit, member-owned association founded in 1958 serving over 120,000 New Zealand motorhome and caravan owners with member-only parks, a 2,000+ listing Travel Directory, self-containment certification, Local Deals discounts, magazine publishing, and freedom camping advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Takanini

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees provide the primary revenue stream. Joining fee is $150 with annual subscription of $102, totaling $252 for new members. Family members can join for $102 using a referral link that waives the joining fee.
2. Magazine Advertising: The Motor Caravanner magazine publishes 6 times annually with 67,000+ copies distributed to 123,000+ members. Revenue generated from advertising sales targeting the motorhome and caravan enthusiast demographic.
3. Classified Advertising: Classified advertising in The Motor Caravanner magazine for sales, wanteds, and other non-commercial listings. Non-member rates range from $72 to $286 depending on ad size.
4. NZMCA Park Fees: Revenue from member-only campgrounds (NZMCA Parks). Park fees can be paid via the NZMCA App or online Travel Directory.
5. Event Fees: Revenue from NZMCA Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Shows and the CampSaver Second-Hand Motorhome & Caravan Show, including entry fees and event park & stay charges.
6. Insurance Partnership: Covi NZMCA Insurance partnership provides insurance products to members. Covi contributes financially to the NZMCA annually, supporting membership benefits such as NZMCA parks and the travel directory.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The NZMCA is a membership-based nonprofit association providing motorhome and caravan owners with access to a network of 63 private member-only parks, an online Travel Directory of 2,000+ camping locations, Certified Self-Containment vehicle inspection and certification (green, yellow, and blue warrant cards), the Local Deals discount program with 100k+ member reach, and The Motor Caravanner magazine. Members also receive access to the Park Over Property scheme, Motorhome Friendly Town directory, the NZMCA App, and the Covi NZMCA Insurance partnership.

Product overview

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association is a membership-based organisation offering a portfolio of products and services centred on motorhome and caravan lifestyle support. Its core offerings include the Travel Directory (an online searchable database of over 2,000 camping locations), a network of 60+ NZMCA Parks (member-only motorhome parks), the Park Over Property scheme (private land parking), and the Motorhome Friendly Towns certification programme. Members also access the Local Deals discount programme, CampSaver savings, and Covi NZMCA Insurance through strategic partnerships. The Association publishes The Motor Caravanner magazine (bi-monthly, 123,000+ members), operates the NZMCA App for mobile access, provides a Journey Planner tool, and offers a Members Portal for self-service account management. Compliance services include the Certified Self-Containment inspection programme (issuing green, yellow, and blue warrant cards), while community investment is reflected in the Greenfund conservation initiative and dump station subsidy scheme. Events include the annual Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Shows and the Second-Hand Motorhome & Caravan Show.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CampSaver: A discount program offering deals on camping equipment, accessories, and second-hand motorhome/caravan shows.
• Motorhome Friendly (MHF)
• Covi NZMCA Insurance
• Greenfund

Products and services

• NZMCA Parks Network

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120,000 Kiwi members nationwide
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GreenfleetminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Environmental not-for-profit organization. NZMCA partnered with Greenfleet in 2017 to plant native trees at Auckland Council's Te Muri Regional Park, donating $10,000 to plant 2,500 native trees including pohutukawa, karaka, rewarewa, puriri, tanekaha, and kahikatea.
• Covi NZMCA InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009Insurance partnership providing comprehensive specialist motorhome and caravan insurance to NZMCA members. Covi was established in 1958 and partnered with NZMCA in 2009. Covi contributes significantly to the NZMCA annually, enabling reinvestment in member benefits including parks growth from 15 to 62+ parks.
• Queenstown-Lakes District CouncilminorOthersLocal government authority. NZMCA engages with QLDC on freedom camping bylaws and has challenged their bylaws through judicial review. NZMCA has over 800 members in the district and operates a member-only campground in Glenorchy.
• Friends of Taupo Swamp & Catchment (FOTSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-led volunteer group. NZMCA Greenfund contributed $2,000 initially and additional funding of $2,500 in 2021, $3,000 in 2022, $3,000 in 2023, and $2,500 in 2025 for wetlands restoration project adjacent to Plimmerton NZMCA Park.
• Western Bay Wildlife TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental trust protecting native populations and ecosystems around Western Bay of Plenty. NZMCA Greenfund contributed $3,000 to support planting on Moturiki Island and pest control initiatives.
• National Wetland TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust running community-led restoration project at Lake Rotopiko. NZMCA Greenfund contributed $2,000 for ongoing restoration support, plants, and pest detection materials.
• Waiau TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust established in 1996 for fisheries and wildlife habitat enhancement in Southland. NZMCA contributed $20,000 to the Home Creek Manapouri project adjacent to Manapouri NZMCA Park.
• Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered charity responsible for rehabilitation and management of Tūhaitara Coastal Park. NZMCA contributed $10,000 over 2023 & 2024 to support ongoing park development.
• Tasman Area Community Association (TACA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community association. NZMCA contributed $9,000 to the Te Mamaku Drive (Ruby Bay Bypass) Corridor Planting Project supporting ongoing planting and restoration.
• Manawahe Eco TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust managing community interest in improving biodiversity in Manawahe Ecological Corridor. NZMCA contributed $2,300 to support biodiversity improvement and ongoing planting.
• Love the Lyell GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKaikoura community organization. NZMCA contributed $3,000 towards Lyell Creek restoration project, including $1,500 donated by thl on behalf of rental companies in recognition of NZMCA members who helped after the Kaikoura earthquake.
• Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (PGDB)coreOthersRegulator under the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023. NZMCA's self-containment inspectors are qualified to inspect vehicles under PGDB regulations. NZMCA shares vehicle certification information with PGDB for enforcement purposes.
• Manawatu District CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council in Feilding. NZMCA contributed $3,000 towards Timona Park Pathway Project including native planting along the Ōroua River bank.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Camping and Caravanning Club: UK-based membership association offering campsites, magazine, and member benefits to caravan and camping enthusiasts. Operates a similar member-park model with similar scope of services, though with a broader camping (not just motorhome) focus. Direct comparability with NZMCA's value proposition.
• Caravan and Motorhome Club: UK-based membership association for caravan and motorhome owners, operating a network of member-only Club Sites, publishing a member magazine, and providing insurance and member benefits. Closest global analog to NZMCA's operating model, scaled to a larger market but with the same core pillars: subscription, parks, magazine, insurance, advocacy.
• Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA): Australia's largest RV/motorhome member association with a comparable membership model, park network, magazine publication, and advocacy role for freedom camping. Most analogous peer to NZMCA in the trans-Tasman market — same customer type, same value proposition (membership + parks + advocacy), and overlapping regulatory advocacy function.

Broad incumbents

• Tourism Holdings Limited (thl): NZ and Australia-listed tourism company (NZX/ASX: THL) operating RV rental brands (Britz, Maui, Mighty) and holiday parks. Thl has an established commercial relationship with NZMCA (donation recognition post-Kaikoura earthquake) and operates in the same end-market, but as a commercial rental/hospitality business rather than a member association. Comparable end-customers, overlapping product (park stays), different business model.
• BIG4 Holiday Parks: Australia and NZ holiday park franchise network offering paid accommodation for RV and caravan travelers. Comparable in operating RV/camping parks and serving NZMCA's same customer segment, but operates as a commercial franchise system rather than a member-only association model.
• Discovery Parks (NRMA): One of Australia's largest holiday park operators with parks in both Australia and NZ, offering commercial accommodation to RV travelers. Compares to NZMCA on park operations but is a for-profit commercial operator without the membership, advocacy, or certification dimensions.
• New Zealand Automobile Association (AA): NZ's largest general-purpose motoring membership association providing roadside assistance, insurance, travel, and member benefits. Not focused on RVs specifically, but overlaps NZMCA on membership subscription model, insurance partnership structure, and member benefits marketplace. Comparable as a domestic NZ membership association with similar revenue model mechanics.

Others

• Department of Conservation (DOC): NZ government agency managing public conservation land and campgrounds. NZMCA members access DOC passes through their membership. Operates as a complementary infrastructure provider in the same RV travel ecosystem, though as a public agency rather than a competing commercial entity.
• Covi Insurance: NZ specialist RV insurance provider and NZMCA's core commercial partner since 2009. Covi's annual financial contribution is a material revenue stream and has funded NZMCA's park expansion from 15 to 62+ parks. Not a peer in the membership sense but a deeply linked ecosystem partner.

Emerging players

• Camplify: Australia-founded peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace now operating in NZ, offering RV owners a platform to rent out their vehicles. Represents the emerging platform-based disruption to traditional RV ownership and may intersect NZMCA's membership base as members become occasional renters or vice versa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-zealand-motor-caravan-association-inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Incorporated