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Autumn 2024

ISSUE 7

Camping the Kiwi Way, 7, Autumn 2024
Camping the Kiwi Way, 7, Autumn 2024

The packdown
The packdown

In our previous years, we could never pack down in time and were always hot and bothered by the end. This year, we nailed it with time to spare!

Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system
Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system

A gaze into the green crystal ball of hope for a consistent, reliable freedom camping vehicle certification system, reveals an extremely stormy and very cloudy future.

Celebrating Summer
Celebrating Summer

Six pages of stories from around the country and the season.

We made it to Curio Bay
We made it to Curio Bay

Well we made it to Curio Bay on Monday afternoon, after an 8¾ hour drive.

The dogs had visitors
The dogs had visitors

The dogs had visitors at Knottingly Park and Arboretum camp.

Foray into paradise
Foray into paradise

I can’t really take in how gorgeous the McKenzie Basin is.

Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours?
Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours?

What you can do with your particular warrant card.

Tucks Bay, Coramandel
Tucks Bay, Coramandel

Home for the night became Tucks Bay, the overflow part of the Long Bay Campground, Coromandel

I could live like this forever
I could live like this forever

I could live like this forever.

Three adults, three kids & five dogs
Three adults, three kids & five dogs

We settled on Lake Opuha for our latest trip.

Not FREE but truly freedom at its best
Not FREE but truly freedom at its best

SH 35 is a magical journey. Put it on your list.

Love Woodville Ferry Reserve
Love Woodville Ferry Reserve

Love Woodville Ferry Reserve, hardly anyone here.

So you want to freedom camp
So you want to freedom camp

We are in a transition period from the old ‘blue’ warrant system to a new ‘green’ warrant system. The transition period is set to expire 7 June ’25. There is a small possibility that the Minister might choose to extend the transition period: it could help, with so many needing to be certified by so few.

Hammock time
Hammock time

Hammock time, Tokomaru Bay

So thankful
So thankful

After 21 days #vanlife freedom camping…

In two minds
In two minds

In two minds about posting this as it was so wonderful to have had it all to ourselves (the way I like it this side of Xmas!) for 3 nights! But its such a cool place I can’t not share and recommend it.

Enjoying the shade
Enjoying the shade

Great place to enjoy the shade. Orton Bradley Park.

Peaceful Fortrose
Peaceful Fortrose

A beautiful peaceful place, Fortrose, in The Catlins.

What is ‘self-contained’, anyway?
What is ‘self-contained’, anyway?

Self-containment is at the heart of the the latest raft of freedom camping changes instituted in 2023.

The life and times of a Ford Trader Camper truck
The life and times of a Ford Trader Camper truck

The original camper truck in 1973 was aFord Trader .

Setting up at Campfest
Setting up at Campfest

Setting up at Campfest, Bulls, Feb 24. ©2024 Tracey Davis.

Escape to Papatowai
Escape to Papatowai

After the chaos of Christmas our frazzled nerves needed restoring. We threw a few supplies into the campervan and headed for the healing calm of Papatowai.

Eclectic bunch
Eclectic bunch

What an eclectic bunch of lovely people camping all sorts of ways.

A lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau
A lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau

I’ve just had a lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau in my little Wanda.

Enforcement of freedom camping rules
Enforcement of freedom camping rules

Offences to avoid when freedom camping. Who has to pay, Knowing or not knowing you have been ‘infringed’. What information must enforcement officers give? What information are you required to give? You can be required to leave. Impounding things.

We had a great stay at Tokomaru Bay
We had a great stay at Tokomaru Bay

Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise.

Family camping… part of my DNA
Family camping… part of my DNA

Family camping… part of my DNA for 60 years.

Two nights (again) at our local reserve
Two nights (again) at our local reserve

Two nights (again) at our local reserve… Waitohi Bush Reserve … great place to just unwind and listen to the bellbirds.

Home for the next few weeks
Home for the next few weeks

Ruataniwha Conservation Park.

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