CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Sundown, Tucks Bay, Coramandel.

Recently when we were traveling south from Whangārei on State Highway 1, we spotted a sign for Waipu Caves. It was a spur of the moment decision to investigate further, as we turned onto a gravel side road.

It’s too big for a chair and it’s not moving in the water so I can only guess it’s another tent blown away, full of belongings.

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.

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

To make caravan fridges work as claimed, and draw less energy, is cheap, simple and easy. Many can be transformed. This article shows how.

Sedgemere Track is only open for six weeks of the year...

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Tinned chickpeas are a useful thing to keep in your caravan cupboard. As well as being tasty they are a good source of protein. Here’s a couple of recipes you could use them in.

I just tried making pizza in the Omnia Oven. It looks and smells good, just have to wait for it to cool down and stop bubbling!

Clean your gear. Works underway to reopen Morere Hot Pools. More than 10,000 wild goats removed in a national competition. Nature as therapy is the focus of a new guide. DOC report shows short adventures trending for travellers. Ōparara Basin waharoa unveiled. A sea lion/pakake mum swam 60 kilometres inland. Checking a week-old Albatross chick, Tairoa Heads.

Coleman model 1 stove.

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.

Some caravanners are connecting a 230 volt power supply, via a lead, that is “coiled on a reel”, which is not completely “uncoiled” from the cable drum.This is not good practice. Here is why.

There are many ways to have a summer camping holiday, and everyone has their own reasons for choosing where they camp, how they camp and who they camp with.
Some folk choose to go where they can shed their clothes along with the stresses and worries of every day life.

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In January, 70 adults and 25 young people took part in an All Points camp at the Whanganui Intermediate School for the Whanganui Vintage Weekend.
They camped in a mix of caravans, tents, motor homes and small vans and many camped as family groups or with their friends.

Our All Points Camping NZ park and camp was at the Waihopai Community Centre and Reserve, 16km away from Marlborough’s iconic wine and food event.

Between them they have over 240 years of camping experience.

Got to sing with these amazing girls — Karen Clarke & Tina Turley. AWESOME.

North Island. South Island. Free, low cost and paid.

Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. A must stopover for all garden lovers.

The perfect private park out of Bannockburn. On the top of a ridge looking down to Cromwell one side, Carricktown the other, it’s a windy spot with dramatic views, dramatic weather and the history of the valley is dramatic as well.

Camping events in Autumn.

A suite of Facebook groups from NZ Fun Adventures to encourage you outdoors.

These events either offer overnight parking or the local area provides options.

There are more than 200 DOC sites throughout New Zealand, 34 in the north. Work out which15 of those in the north fit the grid.

Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more.

Membership support. Friendly, inclusive camping events. Nationwide savings. Lobbying support for campers’ rights.

• Celebrating Summer.
• Navigating freedom camping law changes.
• Hitting the road full time.
• RV businesses and services.

• Celebrating summer.
• So you want to freedom camp.
• Ten tips for hitting the road full time.
• My caravan that floats.
• Three octogenarian campers.
• RV & camper business services.

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.

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

When I began assembling this issue I came up against a dilemma. How to inspire without sweeping under the carpet the negative things happening for freedom camping in New Zealand?

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!

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

Hammock time, Tokomaru Bay ©2024 Bette Cosgrove

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

The dogs had visitors at Knottingly Park and Arboretum camp.

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

What you can do with your particular warrant card.

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

I could live like this forever.

We settled on Lake Opuha for our latest trip.

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

Love Woodville Ferry Reserve, hardly anyone here.

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.

After 21 days #vanlife freedom camping…

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.

Great place to enjoy the shade. Orton Bradley Park.

A beautiful peaceful place, Fortrose, in The Catlins.

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

The original camper truck in 1973 was aFord Trader .

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.

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

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

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.

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

Family camping… part of my DNA for 60 years.

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

Ruataniwha Conservation Park.

We are now in a surreal world of peculiar freedom camping rules. Every camping vehicle is now at risk of substantial fines, wherever it is parked, as the new offence of “preparing to freedom camp” is defined as “parking”.

Haven’t done a huge amount of biking this summer, but sometimes all it takes is a small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip to rekindle the love.

Well after a week of covid and still not a lot of energy I decided bugger it and I’m heading to The Burt

Haere rā everyone. Shame we can’t stay longer.

Currently on night 23 of this 86-night trip. In Murchison next week I celebrate my 250th night since getting my teardrop.

Christmas at Lake Aniwhenua, with 6 others, all old friends from around the North Island

Let one person in authority know you want to protect your right to freedom camp on public land.

The cat comes too. This spot is only 6km from home. And the cat always come along for the adventures…

No more freedom camping for these responsible campers. No room for a fixed loo…

Van life is becoming more and more popular but the transition to this lifestyle can be far from smooth. After 3 years on the road, here’s our tips to get you from house life to road life.

Why stick to the law if you can get away with whatever takes your fancy?

I thought people might find this useful — I always struggle to pull pegs out…

New Zealand’s first wheelchair accessible campervan, CHARLY, will soon be available for hire.

Okay , listen up, this is new. When travelling the North Island, Taihape has become the perfect stopover place.

I go camping for my mental health. Bev and I have done this for over 25 years. I’m not happy with the NZ Government interfering with my choice of leisure time by restricting how I go camping.

7 days a week, NZ Lifestyle Camping works to support NZ campers and the commercial vehicle industry that require certified self-containment

All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024.

It all started with a chance conversation with friends about a special birthday coming up & the fact that I wanted to take my wife & kids on a trip to the South Island.

Find the services you need for your camping or motorhoming.

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• Well worth the walk. Wild. Magnificent.
• Mavis and all her DIY: Here’s a brilliant idea…
• Who is advocating for NZ campers?
• Tips for a family camping trip.
• 50 years camping at Morison’s Bush
• RV & camper services

A linked list of the magazine contents.

Seven things to fix • Use the current standard.
• Remove the fixed toilet fetish.
• Remove the offence “preparing to freedom camp” — who can determine intentions?
• Make the delivery of offence notices fair.
• Remove the revised definition of homelessness.
• Ensure adequate facilities for all travellers.
• Differentiate between citizens and tourists.

Mt Cook from the Lake Pukaki freedom camping area. ©2023 M Richardson

Hi, I’m Fran and I have lived on the road a long time. It’s a great life.

Identify which kind of self containment you have, and be clear about where you are allowed to camp, so you can avoid fines and hassles

With the new self-containment system in disarray, what do you do with your new build, conversion or upgrade? Four choices.

An El Niño summer gives a sterner edge to commonsense precautions. Caught in the middle or a camper upgrade? Encourage the small towns to love us.

Wharariki Beach is a wild, magnificent, and windswept long sandy beach, home of the Archway Islands, and can be found at the northernmost point of the South Island — west of Cape Farewell

It all started with needing a new roof hatch… well not exactly needing, but more a case of wanting. Out with the old and in with the new.

We gathered in Alexandra in Autumn, four of us and a dog. It’s a great season for biking in Central Otago, not too hot, and the weather is usually settled.

Three national groups speak on behalf of NZ campers: the All Points Camping Club of NZ, the NZMCA, and the Responsible Campers Association

Fishing.

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

Initially I bought a dehydrator to make fruit snacks for tramping. Over time, friends inspired me to use my dehydrator to make pre-cooked dinners.

The new self-containment regulations that the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board are trying to implement have more bumps, twists and turns than the North Island Saddle Road.

Teardrop camping