To ensure a sustainable recreational camping industry related interest groups need to be more engaged and appreciative of the issues each group faces.

The Government’s recent changes to Freedom Camping and self-containment certification are now being implemented. These changes mean that over the next 18 to 24 months new regulations may impact your freedom camping.

NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification.
With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers

After a peaceful night’s sleep a hearty breakfast on the Wairau river is always a good way to start the day

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

Our campsite, and the critter pleased to make it there.

Here’s the exciting opportunities for your stay and cycle journey on the Waikato River Trails.

Delightful to chat with Alan and Joyce on a glorious summer’s day at Little Waipa reserve. Joyce was setting out the table and chairs in a sunny spot overlooking the Waikato River after a chillyish night with temperature inside the caravan at a brisk 11º.

In the old days, people used “meat safes” or “safes” but my experience is with chilly bins or Esky cooler bags.

One of my first memories of camping was at ‘Spec Creek’. You won’t find it on a map — it was just some little creek on the side of the road, somewhere in Central Otago, where our car broke down. There was nothing there.

I think it was 1973 when I first went camping at Morison’s Bush.

Food supplies can be supplemented with fishing when your caravan floats.

Our family owns a 24ft (7.3 metre) trailer sailer. It is a bit like a floating caravan and we have had many camping holidays on the water.

UK caravan floors sometimes get spongy or soft. I found the repair job relatively simple to carry out.

Using electricity safely while camping requires some basic knowledge. This article explains some of the science behind this.

A good day’s camping starts using a thermette to boil the water for coffee and for its small fire to then make toast.

Citreon & pop-top at Lake Kaniere.

Sailing through the Waiheke Channel on our way to the northern coast of Waiheke. The wind has finally turned to the south. Feb. ©2025 Graham Leslie

It’s been nine years since we had a sailing holiday in our trailer yacht, Quasimodo.

Our goal was to increase our battery capacity to store more power, and we needed to look at how we charged them, and how to keep track of the power going into and out.

In July 65 years ago my parents headed off on their honeymoon with a 1930 Model A Ford towing my Grandad’s caravan.

Don’t use an electric toaster when camping off-grid unless you have more battery power stored than you can ever use and a large, professionally installed power inverter. Gas is a much better option.

Our friend Jean Roger said she used old plastic milk bottles to make a simple solar shower. We have just tried this on our sailing holiday and it works brilliantly.

A caravan travels through five generations.

We headed to Raglan along some back country roads.

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

Friday evening and Saturday morning at Rays Rest. It never disappoints. © 2024 Greg Lokes. More on FB: Greg's Eye: ckw.nz/gregs-eye

Ray’s Rest. It never disappoints. More p11©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye

We donned our tramping gear and went for a 4 hour hike along the bush trails that start at the Waiorongomai Valley carpark

Rangatikei spreads from the western white sand beaches through river escarpment up to the Central Plateau.
It is fed by two major State Highways, SH1 and SH3, three major river systems and part of Te Araroa — New Zealand’s Trail.