Camping The Kiwi Way, Autumn 2024

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

By Campers for campers

Table of contents

• 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.

Editorial

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?

How to inspire without sweeping things under the carpet?

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!

we were always hot and bothered by the end

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.

The 29 inspectors would need to re-certify about 260 vehicles per working day to update already-certified vehicles by the Jun ’25 deadline: IMPOSSIBLE

Celebrating Summer

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

We made it to Curio Bay

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

Despite the fekin Curio Bay sandflies bombers it’s a pretty good camp.

The dogs had visitors

The dogs had visitors at Knottingly Park and Arboretum camp.

Making new friends at camp is fun!

Foray into paradise

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

swimming and reading this afternoon

Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours?

What you can do with your particular warrant card.

they may not inspect inside your vehicle

Tucks Bay, Coramandel

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

better than any Top 10

I could live like this forever

I could live like this forever.

Three adults, three kids & five dogs

We settled on Lake Opuha for our latest trip.

Not FREE but truly freedom at its best

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

a magical journey

Love Woodville Ferry Reserve

Love Woodville Ferry Reserve, hardly anyone here.

hardly anyone here

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.

Remember JUNE 6: 2024 & 2025

Hammock time

Hammock time, Tokomaru Bay ©2024 Bette Cosgrove

So thankful

After 21 days #vanlife freedom camping…

billions of stars

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.

My 3 boys absolutely loved it, as did I!

Enjoying the shade

Great place to enjoy the shade. Orton Bradley Park.

Peaceful Fortrose

A beautiful peaceful place, Fortrose, in The Catlins.

What is ‘self-contained’, anyway?

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

none of those involved in regulating it seem to really care about self-containment, per se

The life and times of a Ford Trader Camper truck

The original camper truck in 1973 was aFord Trader .

Kiwi ingenuity at its best

Setting up at Campfest

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

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.

absolute bliss

Eclectic bunch

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

A lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau

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

as i drove to work on Monday the lake was like glass

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.

infringement fees/fines are $400 up to $10,000

We had a great stay at Tokomaru Bay

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

the East Cape sunrises didn’t disappoint

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… Waitohi Bush Reserve … great place to just unwind and listen to the bellbirds.

only 8 mins from home

Home for the next few weeks

Ruataniwha Conservation Park.

I am not freedom camping’ cards

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”.

I can see no downside in being clear about my intentions Imagine if other NZers had to justify their parking or risk a $400 fine every time they went to the shops or the beach.

A small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip

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.

all it takes is a small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip

Heading to The Burt

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

Bugger it, I’m heading to The Burt

Haere ra

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

shame we can’t stay longer

Truly a Summer to remember

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

my 250th night since getting my teardrop

Christmas at Lake Aniwhenua

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

six others, all old friends

Do your bit: Task of the week

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

choose just one

The cat comes too

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

only 6km from home...

No more freedom camping

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

Ten tips for hitting the road full time

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.

we’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to

Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West

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

targeting smaller vehicles and poorer citizens

A cure for the stubborn peg

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

I can heave out even the most stubborn peg

Charly the campervan

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

giving wheelies the freedom to travel

Taihape: the perfect stopover place

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

Okay, listen up

Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health

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.

I just want to go camping. It’s healthy, its fun, and it keeps me sane.

7 days a week

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

substantial unnecessary costs

All Points Camping at Morisons Bush

All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024.

Kiwi camping with a difference

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.

It all started with a chance conversation

Sundown, Tucks Bay

Sundown, Tucks Bay, Coramandel.

Hidden gem

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.

up close to the stalactites and stalagmites

It was a tent

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.

take heed to weather warnings

My caravan that 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.

a floating caravan

Fishing when your caravan floats.

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

Make caravan fridges work as claimed

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

problems are almost always due to faulty installation

A small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip

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

perhaps the hottest six weeks of the year.

Best pull-out kitchen at Campfest

Recipes for camping

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.

Bonus tip: keep meat longer by vacuum packing

Pizza in the Omnia

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!

a great solution if you don’t have an oven

DOC update

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.

finding creative ways to enjoy nature

100 years old and still works like it should

Coleman model 1 stove.

Living an endless summer

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.

an endless summer travelling across hemispheres to avoid the cold

The perils of a coiled power supply cord

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.

don't do it

Camp au naturel

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.

shed your clothes along with the stresses of every day life

Hokitika beach sculpture

Whanganui vintage camping

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.

Come and camp with us next year

Waihopai camp and the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival

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.

drinks, nibbles, discussions, good laughs

Three octogenarian campers

Between them they have over 240 years of camping experience.

river bank sites, a football field, a pickers hut, wild camping all over NZ

Three singers at Campfest ’24

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

Stop and stay with your DOG

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

so many to choose from

Land of the Lotus

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.

a discount for helping in the garden

Scottland Motorhome Park

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.

a windy and dramatic spot with wonderful hosts

Events: Camping

Camping events in Autumn.

come along

Getting outdoors

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

Festivals and Shows

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

DOC campsites 1: In the north: Fill in the spaces

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.

how many have you visited?

Camping and RV Businesses Services

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

All Points Camping Club of NZ

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