OUR ISSUES 14 Autumn 2026 1 May 2026 • Our perfect touring setup. • From survival to comfort. • Weather, wind, emergencies. • Te Ara Moana trail. Read online Read A4 PDF 12 Winter 2025 31 July 2025 • South Island caravan adventure; • Chilly chilly chilly camping; • Off-grid power; • A honeymoon in 1960; • Making toast. Read online Read A4 PDF 10 Summer 2024 1 December 2024 • Double-digit highways • Freedom camping • Accessible camping • Travelling with pets Read online Read A4 PDF 8 Winter 2024 1 June 2024 • We enjoyed Autumn • The dangers of carbon monoxide • Composting and coddiwompling • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 6 Summer 2023 1 December 2023 • Mavis and all her DIY • 10 tips for family camping trips • Fire safety • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 4 Winter 2023 1 June 2023 • Let’s go south for a few weeks • Winter’s here: glorious times • Before the cyclone • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 13 Summer 2025 11 November 2025 • A short trip to some big country — Route 52 • The hospital visit for my bus • Come camping • Emergency links on the road Read online Read A4 PDF 11 Autumn 2025 30 March 2025 • Here and there last summer • Choosing a caravan • Loading a caravan • The joys of a camp oven Read online Read A4 PDF 9 Spring 2024 1 September 2024 • Towing your caravan • North Island hot pool safari • New choices for fixed toilets • Recipes for camping Read online Read A4 PDF 7 Autumn 2024 1 March 2024 • Navigating freedom camping law changes • Hitting the road full time • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 5 Spring 2023 1 September 2023 • Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan • Pros and cons of full time family travel • Why not stop and stay awhile? • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 3 Autumn 2023 1 March 2023 • CAMP FEST • Family friendly tramping • A beautiful country but... • Saving rural communities? • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Index ISSUE 3 Camping the Kiwi Way, 3, Autumn 2023 Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Morisons Bush ©2022 Margaret Earle Read more NZ is a camping culture NZ is a camping culture This makes us who we are, connects us to our environment like nothing else Read more 700 Campers at Kaitoke Kaitoke saw over 700 campers on Waitangi weekend. Read more Tautuku Hut Track: Family-friendly tramping in the Catlins Tautuku Hut is a lesser-known DOC hut in the Catlins. It is short and sweet, making it a great first overnight tramp for families. Myself and another mama picked this as our first overnight tramp with our babies. Read more Festivals & Shows Festivals where you can stay, that are on this Autumn (and a bit beyond) Read more Events Camping events on this Autumn Read more A beautiful country, but… Hold on a minute, we are campers and have most of the items required to survive the first few days of an emergency without outside assistance. Read more Our little escape pod We love our little caravan not just for holidays but for other emergency get-a-ways, should the situation call for it. Read more Vans can be SMALL but MIGHTY resources Vans can be SMALL but MIGHTY resources. Orange Sky are providing shower and laundry services to many in flood-affected areas right now. Read more Ten hours into a power cut Ten hours into a power cut with this cyclone .... THEN I remembered I've got full batteries in Mavis! Cheine Matheson Read more A storm over the DOC Homestead campsite A storm over the DOC Homestead campsite near St Bathans, Central Otago. ©2023 Tony Kissel Read more Along a sandy beach I rode on a trailer being towed along a long sandy beach. I squashed a few sandflies and went to bed blissfully happy each night. Read more HELLO 2023 I was invited to spend the New Year with friends at their crib at Papatowai. Read more Mavis bringing in the New Year Mavis bringing in the New Year at Pahoia Beach, Bay of Plenty. © 2023 Cheine Matheson Read more What’s in a name? Is freedom camping actually free? Who and how many are freedom camping? Read more Greymouth Star pinged Their title: “Freedom campers pinged”. A prime example of poor and emotive reporting. Read more Nowhere special Our trip to the Bridge to Nowhere, on the Whanganui river, will always be a special memory that I share with my 84 year old mother. Read more Small kayak camping I see a lot of really big setups on Facebook, so I thought I'd share my 'small' kayak camping setup for the weekend. Read more Simple is good Yep, simple is good. Tony Dennerley Read more Can the travelling camper save NZ's small rural communities? Smaller rural communities should be welcoming these thousands of travellers with open arms. Read more View More Autumn 2023 ISSUE 3 BUY PDF CONTENTS

A magazine by and for campers in New Zealand Summer 2025 Select which topic to show ISSUE 13 BUY PDF ToC Camping the Kiwi Way, 13, Spring 2025 Table of contents > Editorial > Come camping > Stop and Stay > Contribute > About > Cover image: Lake Ohau, home for the next week. ©2025 Tony Kissel Read More As the seasons change Love spring road trips. I was going to walk to the end of the valley… On a wild beach. Four of us went camping. Happy Friday. Who’s camping? Home for the next week. Final winter camp at Lake Tekapo Read More A short trip to some big country — Route 52 A beautiful and remote part of the country. Our flying trip, which covered many kilometres, left a real appetite to head back into this fascinating area. Read More Road trip for a mid-winter meal It had been quite some time since I had been to Canterbury and the thought of meeting up with fellow club members, that I hadn’t seen for many months, appealed. Read More Frustration continues over QLDC’s freedom camping approach Freedom campers, both international and domestic visitors, face frustration with the proposed bylaw restrictions in the Queenstown Lakes District. Many campers simply refuse to go there. Read More The hospital visit for my bus In March my bus went into the Rigs’n Things hospital for some major surgery. The operation was done by Dr Chris with the utmost care and to a very high standard. Read More Water water everywhere On a recent club camp I did a wee survey of the parked vehicles, caravans, motorhomes, buses and others to observe the water supply and disposal systems. Read More A simple camp shower 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. Read More Recipes for camping: Fresh flavours Spring and summer bring a great array of fresh vegetables. Ingredients like fresh ginger, lime, sesame oil, red curry paste and lemon bring fresh flavours to curries, salads and side dishes. Read More Lightning risk in RVs Lightning frightens, but lightning risk in RVs is very low. That risk however is far from random. Here’s how to reduce it yet further. Read More On maintenance Here are my whimsical maintenance tips from my bus Keltic Star. Read More Travels around the South Island I wanted to share some photos from my travels around the South Island last winter. I do love the winter down here, with lack of crowds and the snow on the mountains being two of my favourite things. Read More No snow down low: winter camp 3/3 I am having one winter camp each winter month. This was my third, in August. Read More Buyer beware update: We won! We had to go to the Disputes Tribunal regarding our leaky 9 year old caravan. Read More Butcher’s Pool Tucked away on a side road off SH5 (near Reporoa), is this free hot pool. Read More Windy Pack Down Tips One of the hardest things to do is to know when enough is enough, and when it’s time to pack up and leave. The very best time is just before the weather event hits. Read More Campfest South Island There is something happening for the entire family over this family-orientated weekend. Read More It’s not always sunshine & roses Nine severe weather forecasts in Canterbury. Read More DOC Update DOC charges for parking at four South Island sites. Do your bit for nature. Remediated mine becomes a Reefton attraction. Read More Recipes on the road Lucy’s gluten-free scones, crustless quiche, zero carb chicken bread loaf , home made butter: Kiwi gold. Read More The camping train departs 3 March 2026 Enjoy the whole trip, or meet up or depart from any location along the way! Read More Te Puna Quarry in spring This is such a hidden gem with sculptures of dragons, a castle slide for kids, water wheel, art hiding in every corner, and all kinds of themed gardens. Read More Stop and Stay Places to stay. Read More Athenree hot springs and campground Close to Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati this is a prime campground. Read More Brunel Peaks Cafe, Blackmount I wonder how many of you know about the Stop and Stay nestled at the foothills of the Takitimu mountains? Read More Omokoroa Domain Omokoroa is only 20km northwest of Tauranga’s CBD and 24km to Katikati. Read More Harrison Cut, Papamoa Four mins drive to Papamoa Plaza or a 30 min walk. Read More Uretara Domain I stayed here for three nights; a great spot. Every Friday night they have a Farmers market at the adjacent A&P Show grounds Read More Mid winter dinner Canterbury There is something precious about meeting around the table. Sharing food, or in this case buying your own! Read More First aid practice at camp! Penny was keen to put the newly learnt knowledge of how to assist someone up, into practice. Down on the floor she went! Read More MORE

A magazine by and for campers in New Zealand Camping the Kiwi Way, 1, Spring 2022 Table of contents Editorial For councils and government Contribute About Come camping Stop and Stay Cover image: 1958, camping in the poptop. ©2022 Graham Leslie Read More The Harris Range Our campsite, and the critter pleased to make it there. Read More Cycle touring: Canterbury to Southland Tent and gear on board, Stephen sets off on the first leg of his tour around the South Island. We tag along, this issue, as far as Winton in Southland. Read More Thinking of Cycle touring? From my first trip as a teenager on a 10-speed I’ve developed a love of independent cycle touring. Read More Te Rātā Bay, Lake Tarawera Our trip was full of swimming in the thermal-warmed water around the lake, jet skiing, exploring, and cooking in the ground. Read More The big picture on the proposed changes for freedom camping The problems and the solutions do not match. Read More Seventh week Seventh week on the road in Aotearoa in this beauty. Read More The controversial Nash Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill The proposals, should they go ahead, will not achieve the outcome Nash intends and they are not workable. There is no identified benefit to any sector of the NZ leisure camping industry or to local authorities. Read More Just a little R&R Just a little R&R at Orton Bradley Park Read More Time to have your say on the “Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill” If passed this legislation will affect ALL campers and the camping industry in New Zealand for many years to come Read More Biking in Southland A three-hour late-night drive to Lumsden freedom camping spot at the station, arriving 11.30pm. Woke to a stunning day, chilly, but an awesome day for riding. Read More My 2 cents on the Nash proposals As a freedom camper, campervan business owner and citizen of NZ, I find these proposals extremely concerning. Read More Piano Flat Piano Flat DoC standard campsite is a favourite spot an hour from Gore, Southland in the Waikaia Forest Conservation Area with the Waikaia River flowing through the expansive camping area. Read More Travelling the world on a motorcycle There are more ways than one to travel the country, or the world, for that matter. LeRoy Knierim decided to do it on a motorcycle. It took ten years to circle the globe. Read More A North Island freedom-camping adventure After my South Island trip, I decided I wanted to road trip the North Island and go all the way up to Cape Reinga. For me, freedom camping in the car was the best way to do it. Read More TIPS Camping with preschoolers We started our camping trips over this past summer with a then 3yo and 4yo (and two large dogs). Read More What makes a great and safe freedom camping space? Enough room for comfort and safety; services and things to do nearby; a good sign (everyone wins with good, clear signs); and its fantastic if there is also a great view. Read More Firth of Thames Our view last night on the Firth of Thames. Read More Make a difference: Let's CHANGE the narrative Let’s spread message that responsible Freedom Campers are a help. Read More Lake Camp — freedom camp This is one of the Ashburton Lakes in the Hakatere Conservation Park. You reach it by turning off at Mt Somers then just drive until you reach it on the left. Read More TIPS for the cold Spring still sends cold weather our way. Consider these winter tips, and don’t be daunted. Read More TIPS: Weekending Making the most of short trips Read More Roady: The new App on the block The Roady App gives you access to local travel knowledge and makes it easy to plan epic New Zealand trips. Read More Whakamaru There are some great freedom camping spots around Whakamaru. Read More Getting the internet on the road There are two ways to get on the internet while on the road: with your mobile phone or with mobile broadband. Read More A teardrop camper My little teardrop started life in 2016 as an idea to have something I could use to get away and recharge myself. Read More Do you know what you want in a caravan — or are you just winging it? What we thought we wanted soon changed as we sat in and viewed a number of vans over about 3 months. Read More The Caravan & Motorhome Book Understanding your rv: Australian Collyn Rivers has travelled in a wide range of different sorts of RVs and learned in real life. Read More DOC and its Campsite Pass There is a 30-day pass or a 365-day pass, that covers most DOC campsites. Read More Sleeping with the sandflies: Lake Monowai Lake Monowai was quiet and still as if time itself had stopped. Read More Spring 2022 Choose which topic to show ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX MORE

Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF CONTENTS Issue 12, Winter 2025 Editorial > Come Camping > Stop and Stay > Contribute > About > Cover image: Honeymoon: by the time they got to Lindis Pass they had snow to deal with. ©2025 Graeme Leslie Table of contents ISSUE 12 Read CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE Read South Island caravan adventure Read Wāhine on Water | Sea Kayakers (WoW SK) Read Love Taupō Read Now we have the power to go off-grid Read Just some more pics from Onearo Read Portable power stations Read Stuck! Read Mains electricity & your caravan, for dummies Read SIx days in the high country Read Campfest is coming to the South Island! Read The Camping Train Read The All Points Camping Club of NZ Read Bringing the caravan up to the new self-containment level Read Self-containment warrant cards Read Winter camp, Portobello, June Read Parking brakes and perils Read Rollercoaster Read Winter camp Invercargill, July Read Winter in the Tararuas for first time trampers Read Winter tramping food Read A honeymoon, in a caravan, in winter, in 1960 Read Weather, climate and camping: editorial Read DOC update Read Colac Bay Read Warming winter food Read Making the toast off-grid – use gas Read Frost Read Stopping, Staying, Skiing Read Things that go bump in the night Read Vulnerable roads… Read New Zealand Lifestyle Camping Read Bluff Farm Read Matariki weekend camp Read Come Camping Read Winter at Miranda Holiday Park Read HUH ! Cracked it! Councils & Government Read Self-containment warrant cards Read Love Taupō Read Vulnerable roads… Read Weather, climate and camping: editorial Read Bringing the caravan up to the new self-containment level Self-containment & Freedom Camping Read Self-containment warrant cards Read Love Taupō Read Weather, climate and camping: editorial Read Stuck! Read Colac Bay Read Now we have the power to go off-grid Read Things that go bump in the night Read Bringing the caravan up to the new self-containment level Read Portable power stations Read A honeymoon, in a caravan, in winter, in 1960 Read The Camping Train Read New Zealand Lifestyle Camping

A magazine by and for campers in New Zealand Spring 2023 Choose which topic to show ISSUE 5 BUY PDF INDEX Camping the Kiwi Way, 5, Spring 2023 Table of contents Editorial For councils and government Come camping Stop and Stay Contribute About Cover image: Lake Monowai. ©2023 Kayla Laatz Read More Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan A caravan travels through five generations. Read More The Homestead, St Bathans I’ve been enjoying a few days away at one of my favourite spots, The Homestead Campsite near Saint Bathans. Read More Building a connected NZ camping and tourism industry To ensure a sustainable recreational camping industry related interest groups need to be more engaged and appreciative of the issues each group faces. Read More At the beach Read More 10 Tips for safe caravan towing Here are 10 tips for safe towing: caravans and their tow vehicles have much the same accident rates as other forms of motor transport, their main type of accident, jack-knifing, however, is different. Read More The only ones at Lake Pukaki I can’t believe we are the only ones at Lake Pukaki tonight. So incredibly grateful to have captured these skies. Read More Lake Monowai campsite Our small family of 3 set up camp in a quiet and secluded paradise in the heart of Fiordland National Park Read More Why not stop and stay a while? Introducing Stop and Stay, where to stop when travelling and camping in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. Read More Easy-to-make flat breads — Recipes for camping These recipes come from the fabulous book New Zealand Backcountry Cooking by Paul and Rebecca Garland. Read More Cooking with fire NZ Fun Adventures was pleased to see so many outdoor enthusiasts join with us for this, now annual, event in our events calendar. Read More Really feeling autumny now! Really feeling autumny now! Whakaipo Bay, DOC camp at Taupo. Read More Pros and Cons of full time family travel We get heaps of people message us and ask about the pros and cons of travelling full time so we thought we’d put pen to paper and share the highs and lows of full time travel with kids Read More More cold season tips Sharing our best hacks which made life so much easier on a recent Matariki vanning trip. Read More A small, beautiful cassette toilet There is a cassette toilet in that beautifully crafted cabinet. Read More Winter adventures Winter doesn’t mean the end of camping adventures! Instagram Read More Freedom camping & self-containment status, spring 2023 The short version Read More Freedom camping: who does what The structure of the self containment system. Read More Update: Self-containment and freedom camping changes 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. Read More Freedom camping under the new law There are new penalties and some exemptions. Are you homeless, or making a lifestyle choice? Who gets fined and how they are notified. The law is vague. Councils and enforcement officers have to make it work. Read More Cooking on the road: planning food for…off the road A 4-day camp adventure at Lake Tarawera Hot Water Beach, a long way from roads and power: how to manage the food? Read More Thinking about your overnight park Do you park your camper facing outwards? (Quick evac if needed.) Or just how you feel? Read More The Desert Road The Desert Road On our first road trip with our new caravan. We made it successfully from Wellington to Whangarei. Read More Freedom inside the fence We were looking for a freedom park for the night, but following the recommendation of friends we came here, through the big gates, to this pest-free reserve and we discovered it was so much more than a parking spot. Read More Small town: Waiau A small, North Canterbury, gem of a town, with friendly, welcoming locals, walks, exhibits, cycle rides, shops and free overnighting. Perfect for a couple of nights. Or more. Read More Small town New Zealand: Find the words Puzzle From North and South Islands see how many you recognise. Read More A small paint kit, a few good brushes… I have found that it is the obscure, forgotten little places that hold the most interest and subject material for paintings and rewarding experiences. Read More This is the story of three types of self-contained vehicles… Baby Bear, Mama Bear and Papa Bear campers Read More A Classic Geraldine Classic Caravan Club Read More The Aeropress: quality coffee with an easy clean up No more sloppy grinds in the bottom of the waste bucket. No more looking for bushes to throw them under. Read More MORE

Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 BUY PDF CONTENTS Index ISSUE 2 Camping the Kiwi Way, 2, Summer 2022 Read more Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Gore Bay. ©2024 M Richardson Taking a left turn Are you a mainstream traveler, always following the main highways or are you a diversionist, taking that chance to detour from the main route to explore and maybe encounter something new or different? On our recent trip north we decided to veer from the main flow of traffic and take a left turn. Read more Gore Bay Gore Bay Camp is a small camp. The facilities are old, but usable. Such a great place to go for a weekend break close to our home in Christchurch. Read more Cycle touring: Part II, Southland to the West Coast After my ride from Canterbury to Southland, the next step was to continue my clockwise circuit of the Island. Read more Ready for tomorrow’s ride I’m in Rotorua today (MTB Mecca) ready for tomorrow’s ride, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: 33km, 3hr. Another one of the 23 Great Rides of NZ. ckw.nz/great-rides ©2022 Andrew Morton Read more Freedom camping, November 1964 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. Read more How many freedom campers are there? Nobody knows. The Ministry has made some guesses. Read more Talking to four van loads of international tourists On my last roadie I met and chatted with four van loads of international tourists from UK, Australia and Germany who have been freedom camping around NZ in small (slider-type) hire vans from Escape or Jucy. Read more Pick and pedal Is that e-bike right for you? Many New Zealanders are now moving to e-bikes and they definitely have health advantages while being cheap to operate and maintain. Read more Camping / caravan tips — Setup / packup Do you struggle when you set up your camp or your caravan? Read more Back in the days — Circa 2008 Back in the days — Circa 2008. That caravan was damned heavy behind the bike. Read more Implications for councils of the proposed ‘Nash bill Here are the issues to consider with the major legislative change which is currently proposed and going through Select Committee hearings. Read more Buckets, gladwrap, and gossip The Minister of Tourism the opened the speaking with gossip of buckets covered in gladwrap being used as toilets in motorhomes. Read more Wild camping with a dog on a wet wild night It was a very wet, rainy camp with my dog in a dense bush. Read more Choosing an internet provider It’s a thorny problem, deciding how to connect to the internet on the road — so many different choices, plans and options; so many unfamiliar concepts. Here’s a ‘simple’ guide. Read more The Wild Wairarapa Coast We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline. Read more Ready for a family weekend away camping Ready for a family weekend away camping. Read more National Parks : Game Can you place all the national parks? Read more How we solved a problem and started a new business It’s four years now since John first decided to do something to make emptying our toilet cassette easier and cleaner. Read more Overnight beside the Aparima River I slept overnight beside the Aparima River near Opio (Southland). Read more View More

Stories from summer campers around New Zealand. Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 CONTENTS PDF BUY TOC Here and there last summer The Pigroot SH85 Rabbit holes, rugby field, quirky goal posts Read More Camping at CampFest CampFest, Bulls. February. ©2025 Jo Ward. Read More Sailing through the Waiheke Channel 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 Read More Wairere falls Peace, tranquility, a chance to go for a walk to the waterfall, crystal hunting or even a swim makes it worthwhile. Read More A shady spot to park I pulled into Lowburn free camp on the shores of Lake Dunstan and found a shady spot to park. Read More Canterbury, Waihora Canterbury, Waihora ©2025 Tony Knights. More p36 Read More The ‘caravan train’ at Kekerungu. The ‘caravan train’ at Kekerungu. Read More Whisky Gully Whisky Gully, Tapanui, Southland. Lovely views over the plains, and a great walk up the valley, and another through the bush. Read More The red lights? It’s like having the glow of a camp fire, without the fire risk. A party for one! Read More St Kilda, Dunedin A lovely spot looking out over the beach towards St Clair. Dunedin allows freedom camping in non-reserve parking places. 
©2022 M Richardson Read More On the first day it rained and blew The togs never saw the light of day at this weekend’s camp at Fortrose. Read More Late Summer journey: Southland & West Coast My home for the next few weeks Read More Nugget Point lighthouse Here is a photo of the Nugget Point lighthouse. As we saw it today. March 6. ©2025 Dave Adamson Read More Interesting and tempting to purchase! Running off a cordless drill Read More Luxury camping Camping at CampFest. ©2025 Jo Ward Read More The cracks kept coming It wasn’t the best week as we had such bad weather Read More Woke to fog Where’s summer? Crazy. Yesterday it was 28° here, I melted. Read More A night at Ferry Reserve A night at Ferry Reserve on our way to Morisons Bush. ©2025 Wayne Ravelich Read More Bedtime Bubbles Bedtime Bubbles & wash in Kaiapoi for my wee mate after 57 nights on the road without a bath. ©2025 Andrew Morton Read More Late summer fishing Late summer fishing at the Ōtaki River Mouth free camp. February 2025. ©2025 M Richardson Read More

Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS INDEX ISSUE 8 Camping the Kiwi Way, 8, Winter 2024 Table of contents • Editorial • Councils and government list • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Thermette. ©2024 M Richardson Up AUTUMN GOLD Autumn stories from around New Zealand Up Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? If you do not want to freedom camp you do not need the new green warrant. The existing blue standard and blue warrant is still acceptable for all other places that require certified self-containment (so far). Up Who can freedom camp from now until 7 June 2025? Certified Blue before 7/7/23, and not expired. Fixed or portable toilet. Certified Blue before 7/7/24, and not expired. Fixed toilet only. Green Warrant Up Getting your camping vehicle certified NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification. With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers Up The road less travelled: ten lessons learned on the road Three years ago we decided to trade the hustle and bustle of everyday life for the open road. ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan Up On the cycle trail at Bannockburn On the cycle trail at Bannockburn. ©2023 Andrew Morton Up Folding electric bike in the middle of nowhere Just met a 75 year old lady on an electric folding bike in the middle of nowhere. ©2024 Stephen Wood Up Skippers Canyon Quite happy to have taken the tour and not my truck up Skippers Canyon. ©2024 Trisha Fisk Up What you need for a green warrant for freedom camping The seven requirements Up Am I freedom camping? You may be surprised to learn when you are and aren’t actually freedom camping Up Longslip Station Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. ckw.nz/shellie-fb Up Fantail Martin got the winning photo of the birds last weekend. Fantail. ©2024 Martin Butler Up Fire circle Fire circle on a still Autumn night. Magical. 
©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Planning a toilet for the freedom camping green warrant? There are multiple fixed toilet options to meet your space and budget. Up Clydesdales at Erewhon A fabulous Clydesdale wagon ride one winter at Erewhon. ©2024 M Richardson Up Greg's Eye at Rays Rest Friday evening and Saturday morning at Rays Rest. It never disappoints. © 2024 Greg Lokes. More on FB: Greg's Eye: ckw.nz/gregs-eye Up Venting a toilet cassette: why, what, when and how The new regulations require all black waste tanks to be vented, including those tanks that are part of a cassette-type toilet. Up Got run off the road Got run off the road last weekend. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Up Ballooning in Canterbury Today was an early start to ballooning in Canterbury. ©2024 Tony Knights. Ballooning Canterbury Up The top of Dansey’s Pass The top of Dansey’s Pass (935 metres) looking out toward Oamaru 50 kms in the distance. ©2024 Tony Kissel Up Rugby at Mt Somers Campers enjoying a local rugby game at Mt Somers. See p31. ©2024 Linda Butler Up Keeping up with self-containment Articles from this issue and earlier issues on self-containment and freedom camping: changes, what to do, what to be ware of. Up Beautiful vintage buses and trucks Lots of beautiful vintage buses and trucks in the morning mist ©2024 Rv and Tiny House Living NZ Up To the top of the Ahuriri Valley A nice walk to the top of the Ahuriri Valley, I had the place to my self. ©2024 Tony Kissel Up A wrap Time to start heading back south after weeks cycling. Bike packed for this afternoon’s bus trip. ©2024 Stephen Wood Up My stew is bubbling My stew is bubbling on the fire... ©2024 RV and Tiny House Living NZ Up Composting and coddiwompling I’m about to swap out my portable toilet for a composting waterless toilet in my camper van. Up Hakataramea Pass ©2024 David Liddall Up Only getting in 123 Watts Well some days it makes no difference at all how much solar you have on the roof. ©2024 Allan Henderson Up View More

ALL ISSUES CONTENTS VIEW All issues Topics Index Camping the Kiwi Way, 13, Spring 2025 Next As the seasons change Love spring road trips. I was going to walk to the end of the valley… On a wild beach. Four of us went camping. Happy Friday. Who’s camping? Home for the next week. Final winter camp at Lake Tekapo Next A short trip to some big country — Route 52 A beautiful and remote part of the country. Our flying trip, which covered many kilometres, left a real appetite to head back into this fascinating area. Next Road trip for a mid-winter meal It had been quite some time since I had been to Canterbury and the thought of meeting up with fellow club members, that I hadn’t seen for many months, appealed. Next Frustration continues over QLDC’s freedom camping approach Freedom campers, both international and domestic visitors, face frustration with the proposed bylaw restrictions in the Queenstown Lakes District. Many campers simply refuse to go there. Next The hospital visit for my bus In March my bus went into the Rigs’n Things hospital for some major surgery. The operation was done by Dr Chris with the utmost care and to a very high standard. Next Water water everywhere On a recent club camp I did a wee survey of the parked vehicles, caravans, motorhomes, buses and others to observe the water supply and disposal systems. Next A simple camp shower 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. Next Recipes for camping: Fresh flavours Spring and summer bring a great array of fresh vegetables. Ingredients like fresh ginger, lime, sesame oil, red curry paste and lemon bring fresh flavours to curries, salads and side dishes. Next Lightning risk in RVs Lightning frightens, but lightning risk in RVs is very low. That risk however is far from random. Here’s how to reduce it yet further. Next On maintenance Here are my whimsical maintenance tips from my bus Keltic Star. Next Travels around the South Island I wanted to share some photos from my travels around the South Island last winter. I do love the winter down here, with lack of crowds and the snow on the mountains being two of my favourite things. Next No snow down low: winter camp 3/3 I am having one winter camp each winter month. This was my third, in August. Next Buyer beware update: We won! We had to go to the Disputes Tribunal regarding our leaky 9 year old caravan. Next Butcher’s Pool Tucked away on a side road off SH5 (near Reporoa), is this free hot pool. Next Windy Pack Down Tips One of the hardest things to do is to know when enough is enough, and when it’s time to pack up and leave. The very best time is just before the weather event hits. Next Campfest South Island There is something happening for the entire family over this family-orientated weekend. Next It’s not always sunshine & roses Nine severe weather forecasts in Canterbury. Next DOC Update DOC charges for parking at four South Island sites. Do your bit for nature. Remediated mine becomes a Reefton attraction. Next Recipes on the road Lucy’s gluten-free scones, crustless quiche, zero carb chicken bread loaf , home made butter: Kiwi gold. Next The camping train departs 3 March 2026 Enjoy the whole trip, or meet up or depart from any location along the way! Next Te Puna Quarry in spring This is such a hidden gem with sculptures of dragons, a castle slide for kids, water wheel, art hiding in every corner, and all kinds of themed gardens. Next Stop and Stay Places to stay. Next Athenree hot springs and campground Close to Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati this is a prime campground. Next Brunel Peaks Cafe, Blackmount I wonder how many of you know about the Stop and Stay nestled at the foothills of the Takitimu mountains? Next Omokoroa Domain Omokoroa is only 20km northwest of Tauranga’s CBD and 24km to Katikati. Next Harrison Cut, Papamoa Four mins drive to Papamoa Plaza or a 30 min walk. Next Uretara Domain I stayed here for three nights; a great spot. Every Friday night they have a Farmers market at the adjacent A&P Show grounds Next Mid winter dinner Canterbury There is something precious about meeting around the table. Sharing food, or in this case buying your own! Next First aid practice at camp! Penny was keen to put the newly learnt knowledge of how to assist someone up, into practice. Down on the floor she went! Next MORE

A magazine by and for campers in New Zealand Spring 2024 Choose which topics to show ISSUE 9 BUY PDF INDEX Camping the Kiwi Way, 9, Spring 2024 Table of contents Editorial Councils and government list Come camping Stop and Stay Contribute About Cover image: Steampunk. ©2024 Margarte Earle Read More Gourmet snag Q. What’s better than a gourmet snag on some fresh Turkish bread, with relish, cooked and eaten outdoors while freedom camping? Read More Steampunk— from north to south and back again “It’s a chance to get dressed up and have some have fun” in Oamaru and Thames. Read More Lake Pukaki Lake Pukaki in winter. I can’t get enough of this place. Freedom camping! ©2024 M Richardson Read More The re-build of my Toyota van When I built the van, I knew that sometime later I would have to upgrade it. Read More Ekatahuna Camping at the Eketahuna campground, April 2024 ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Read More The West Coast in winter One winter’s morning in June, my son and I spontaneously took the campervan on a road trip up the coast. Read More Solar basics for dummies Solar power for us campers is a simple process. All you need is a solar panel, a solar controller, and a battery. Read More Ready for sun Ready for sunbathing and a book. Morrisons Bush. ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Read More Converting your camper van: The Cruzar Campervan story We’d been converting campervans as a hobby for a few years and discovered we loved building and creating things together. Plus, we were tired of our dull 9–5 jobs… Read More Caravan at Whanganui Vintage weekend Vintage caravan at a Whanganui Vintage weekend 2024 ©2024 Margaret Earle Read More Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights Firstly, make sure your caravan is ready to move. Read More Buyer beware At the time of writing this, the caravan still sits empty, untouched in our back yard. We are in discussions with our lawyer. Read More Buying used caravans Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention. Read More Cautionary tyre tale Passing over a bit of road where the rumble strip had been removed but not filled in, my tyre got stuck in the rut and shredded. Read More A great great grandchild A multi-generation caravan and great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Read More A night in an arboretum I filled the fridge, tossed in some clothes, a hot water bottle, the dog and hit the road Read More Beautiful obscure things When you are out camping you notice beautiful and obscure things. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Read More A winter day on Farewell Spit Winter is not the best time to visit Farewell Spit from a bird point of view, but I was there, so I took the tour anyway, and it was spectacular. Read More Freedom camping Freedom van camping ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Read More On the shoulder of a god I had a great view of Mt Ngāuruhoe on my first day there, though it was invisible for the rest of my stay. Read More Campground at Opoutere Campground, Opoutere, Stop and Stay, Coromandel Read More Whitebaiting Whitebaiting. Rakaia River Mouth ©2024 David Liddel Read More It was freezing This winter was my first in the Otago cold— a bit of a learning curve. Read More Home roasted coffee beans Sitting under the awning, I enjoy a read or an ale while roasting coffee beans. Read More Lake Pukaki Lake Pukaki, freedom camping in Winter: I cant get enough of this place. Any season. ©2024 M Richardson Read More Freedom camping and self-containment Where are we at? At a government level, a council level, a certification level, at a camper level. Read More Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™ In short, I designed Fix-a-Potty™ for the campervan community to provide more affordable and compact toilet options, with the intention of helping everyone continue to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer. Read More A new cassette toilet for small spaces: The making of the BlackMOA™ A response to a legislative challenge has brought us the compact, front-opening BlackMOA™ Cassette Toilet Read More Fix’n’Rail Due out late October, the Fix’n’Rail is a heavy duty sliding rail and secure bracket that lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area Read More MORE

Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS INDEX ISSUE 9 Camping the Kiwi Way, 9, Spring 2024 Table of contents • Editorial • Councils and government list • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Steampunk. ©2024 Margarte Earle Read more Gourmet snag Q. What’s better than a gourmet snag on some fresh Turkish bread, with relish, cooked and eaten outdoors while freedom camping? Read more Steampunk— from north to south and back again “It’s a chance to get dressed up and have some have fun” in Oamaru and Thames. Read more Lake Pukaki Lake Pukaki in winter. I can’t get enough of this place. Freedom camping! ©2024 M Richardson Read more The re-build of my Toyota van When I built the van, I knew that sometime later I would have to upgrade it. Read more Ekatahuna Camping at the Eketahuna campground, April 2024 ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Read more The West Coast in winter One winter’s morning in June, my son and I spontaneously took the campervan on a road trip up the coast. Read more Solar basics for dummies Solar power for us campers is a simple process. All you need is a solar panel, a solar controller, and a battery. Read more Ready for sun Ready for sunbathing and a book. Morrisons Bush. ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Read more Converting your camper van: The Cruzar Campervan story We’d been converting campervans as a hobby for a few years and discovered we loved building and creating things together. Plus, we were tired of our dull 9–5 jobs… Read more Caravan at Whanganui Vintage weekend Vintage caravan at a Whanganui Vintage weekend 2024 ©2024 Margaret Earle Read more Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights Firstly, make sure your caravan is ready to move. Read more Buyer beware At the time of writing this, the caravan still sits empty, untouched in our back yard. We are in discussions with our lawyer. Read more Buying used caravans Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention. Read more Cautionary tyre tale Passing over a bit of road where the rumble strip had been removed but not filled in, my tyre got stuck in the rut and shredded. Read more A great great grandchild A multi-generation caravan and great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Read more A night in an arboretum I filled the fridge, tossed in some clothes, a hot water bottle, the dog and hit the road Read more Beautiful obscure things When you are out camping you notice beautiful and obscure things. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Read more A winter day on Farewell Spit Winter is not the best time to visit Farewell Spit from a bird point of view, but I was there, so I took the tour anyway, and it was spectacular. Read more Freedom camping Freedom van camping ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Read more On the shoulder of a god I had a great view of Mt Ngāuruhoe on my first day there, though it was invisible for the rest of my stay. Read more Campground at Opoutere Campground, Opoutere, Stop and Stay, Coromandel Read more Whitebaiting Whitebaiting. Rakaia River Mouth ©2024 David Liddel Read more It was freezing This winter was my first in the Otago cold— a bit of a learning curve. Read more Home roasted coffee beans Sitting under the awning, I enjoy a read or an ale while roasting coffee beans. Read more Lake Pukaki Lake Pukaki, freedom camping in Winter: I cant get enough of this place. Any season. ©2024 M Richardson Read more Freedom camping and self-containment Where are we at? At a government level, a council level, a certification level, at a camper level. Read more Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™ In short, I designed Fix-a-Potty™ for the campervan community to provide more affordable and compact toilet options, with the intention of helping everyone continue to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer. Read more A new cassette toilet for small spaces: The making of the BlackMOA™ A response to a legislative challenge has brought us the compact, front-opening BlackMOA™ Cassette Toilet Read more Fix’n’Rail Due out late October, the Fix’n’Rail is a heavy duty sliding rail and secure bracket that lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area Read more View More