3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Recipes for camping Margaret Earle and Graham Leslie Rocks and gravel for 4–6‡ Our kids and their friends invented this recipe (pictured) when they were teenagers camping at Kaitoke on a wet, long weekend (pictured). They often cooked it over the fire, but it can also be made in a camp oven (or a large pan with a lid) on a gas cooker or in a hooded BBQ. Ingredients 1–2 onions, chopped Bacon and/or sausages (the best sausages are the cheap ones) 1 Tbsp oil 3 cans of baked beans Bag of scone mix 1 tin of creamed corn Method Make dumplings by putting a tin of creamed corn in a bowl and adding enough scone mix to make a stiff dough. If the mixture becomes too dry add a small amount of milk or water. Form the dough into small balls and put aside. Put camp oven to heat on cooking fire or gas cooker. Add oil to camp oven. Fry onion, bacon and sausages for a few minutes. Add baked beans and stir through. When the mixture is warm put the uncooked dumplings on top of the baked beans and put the lid on the camp oven. Turn the gas down to low or put the camp oven on a cooler part of the fire. Leave to simmer gently until the dumplings are cooked through. Be careful that the baked bean mixture doesn’t burn while the dumplings are cooking. Paneer and vege curry for 4–5‡ I came across this recipe when I was looking for a vegetarian meal to dehydrate for tramping. It is tasty and the veges listed can be substituted for whatever is available. Paneer is used a lot in Indian vegetarian recipes. You will find it in most supermarkets. It will keep for some weeks in a fridge so is a good source of protein when most of the fresh ingredients have been eaten. In this recipe, the paneer is cubed and fried before being added to the other ingredients. This makes it crisp and flavoursome. Ingredients Cooking oil 1 onion diced 3 cloves of garlic or 1–2 tsp minced garlic 1 Tbsp grated ginger root 1 tsp garam masala 400g tin diced tomatoes ½ cup vege stock (½ tsp powdered stock + ½ cup water) 1 tsp brown sugar 1 pinch of chilli flakes 1 cup pumpkin,chopped into small cubes or kumara or carrot 1 red capsicum, diced 2 courgettes, diced 3 cups baby spinach 300g paneer, cubed Method Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large pan. Add onion, garlic and ginger and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garam masala and stir. Add tomatoes, stock, brown sugar, chilli flakes, capsicum and pumpkin. Simmer until pumpkin is soft and liquid is reduced. Add courgettes and spinach and cook until wilted. While curry is cooking heat more oil in another pan. Brown paneer on all sides. Add to curry before serving. Serve with rice. Tuna pasta for 4–5‡ This recipe can be cooked entirely from tinned food so it can be made when all the fresh food has run out. Ingredients 1 onion, sliced, if available 2 cloves of garlic or 1 tsp of crushed garlic, if available 1 Tbsp oil 1–2 whatever vegetables are available (eg, mushrooms, courgettes, beans, capsicums). If no fresh veges are available, then freeze dried peas can be used: cook them separately and add with the tuna. 450g tin of tuna in spring water, drained 2 tins of diced tomatoes in juice 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano Handful of olives (optional) Salt and pepper Dried pasta such as spaghetti, spirals etc Grated parmesan or tasty cheese, if available Method Heat oil in a medium sized fry pan. Add onion and/or garlic (if using) and fry until slightly starting to brown. Stir in carrot and cook for 3–5 minutes. Add tinned tomatoes and bring to boil. In a separate pot boil the water for the pasta. Add sufficient pasta to feed those eating the meal. Add veges that require the most cooking. Continue to stir regularly and gradually add all the veges. Add the veges that require the least cooking last. Add drained tuna, basil and oregano. Stir well and cook until veges are desired softness. Add olives (if using) and salt and pepper to taste. Serve sauce over cooked pasta. Top with grated cheese (if using). ‡ Depends how many vege you cook, how many it will serve Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 25

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (RailTrail_5604) Clyde, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5305) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5379) Mocha in his 'buddy rider' ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5400) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5478) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5514) RailTrail_5547_mw.webp ©2023 M Richardson There are many tunnels on the Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5578) Curious: Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5588) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5592) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (RailTrail_5592) Omakau, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5636) The highest point marker, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5664) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5686) Brian Turner poem, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5709) NZ Railways nail. Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5734) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5764) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5875) Solar System sculptures. Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5885) Mile marker, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5954) Showing our overnights and our turn around points on the Otago Rail Trail. ©2023 M Richardson Tiroiti free camp, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5969) Interesting work inside the tunnel, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5994) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5998) Heading down the valley to Middlemarch, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson, Railtrail_6029 You have to be here… Miriam Richardson 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. We headed to Clyde to test out our gear and our selves, to buy a passport and take some starting-out photos.Three of us had electric bikes, one was muscle-powered. Mocha in his Buddy Rider We all had motorhomes or vans, and our route was planned so that we rode to a mid point then back, moved to the next park up, returned to the mid point then home to our vans again. Effectively we were riding the trail in both directions at once. We were not very fit, so the daily rides had to be under 25km, a planning challenge ably met by our intrepid leader Sue. Mocha, Sue’s companion, travelled in his “buddy rider.” 152 km to cover; twice. We were in no rush: we took a leisurely 11 days. The track surface was mostly good, with some uncomfortable, poorly-repaired places, and though it was never steep, it felt like it at times. Electric bikes are very good for not overworking muscles, but sitting on a bike seat requires its own kind of fitness training; even with our relatively short daily rides the sitting was a challenge. We woke to a flock of sheep and a closed gate at the free camping spot by the river in Omakau (photo, right), just over the bridge from the town. The overnight fee at Haye’s Engineering, Oturehua gave us entrance to their intriguing exhibits. Eight days in, we were at Waipiata, one of my favourite spots: a lovely domain with free camping (donations welcome), a pub, with superb pies (one now and two for later) a historic village to wander through, and various rail sculptures and memorabilia especially for rail-trailers. It was here we realised how well we had jelled as a group. Three of us ready to go, standing with our bikes, while our 4th was still making her morning cuppa. She looked out her window, oops — the time is now! We were happy while we waited. Enjoying the morning. No hurry. No sideways looks. Four relative strangers enjoying our journey. 1943 Hyde memorial It was quintessential NZ to meet a school friend at the Hyde railway accident memorial on our lunch stop. She is now a Wellingtonian and school was over 50 years ago. Middle of nowhere, “ fancy meeting you here … ” That’s NZ. The sky, the clouds, the hills, the vista changed as we travelled, but always vast and uplifting. We struggled sometimes, we had some glitches with our electric bikes. Our muscle-powered companion kept pace, right until the very last stretch, when the threat of rain had her disappear into the distance leaving us way, way behind. I really lovely ride, well worth the effort.   Sue and Mocha at the finish gate. Our overnight parks Alexandra; Chatto Creek at the tavern; Omakau, a free camp by the river (above); Oturehua at Hayes Engineering; Ranfurly NZMCA park; Waipiata in their beautiful domain; Tiroiti a free camp (below), and finally Middlemarch at the campground. Viewed from the trail, the Tiroiti free camp, above, is a stretch of firm parking alongside a quiet side-road. You have to be here; you have to feel the deep slow surge of the hills, the cloak of before, the wrench of beyond. From ‘Van Morrison in Central Otago’ by Brian Turner Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 8

1 Spring 2022 1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Understanding your motorhome, caravan, fifth wheeler You can download the contents and a chapter of each book to judge its usefulness before you buy. How to choose and Buy an RV If you are thinking of buying, Collyn has this comprehensive book just for you:. There is so much to learn, to use and manage your rv well. The Caravan & Motorhome Book Miriam Richardson Understanding your motorhome, caravan, fifth wheeler Australian Collyn Rivers has travelled in a wide range of different sorts of RVs. He learned in real life. He has crossed the centre of Australia 12 times, travelled through Africa, towed a 40 year old caravan 700 km north of the Arctic Circle. He’s dealt with every issue you are ever likely to encounter on the road. He’s also an engineer and a writer who can translate complex topics into real English and has a number of books to help you understand∞ manage, build and or modify a recreational vehicle. His books are often in local libraries; you can buy them at jaycar.co.nz or online (Australia) rvbooks.com.au -- Choose > Our books 
or buy a kindle version from amazon.com.au ($AU14.27). You can download the contents and a chapter of each book to judge its usefulness before you buy. If you have your caravan, trailer or motorhome already, or are planning to build your own, this book 
is an ideal and comprehensive reference book. There is so much to learn, to use and manage these well∞ and I have found it really useful to understand the ins and outs, even if I intend to employ an rv professional to do the actual work. It is a book you can dip into, find and read what you need to know at this moment∞ and a reference book to refer back to. The book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. Among other things it covers the different kinds of vehicles, lighting, LPG, water, toilets, showers, heating, solar, batteries, inverters, mains power, fridges, TV, comms, preparing for a trip, keeping safe∞ and more. Highly recommended. If you are thinking of buying, Collyn has this comprehensive book just for you: How to Choose and Buy an RV: Here's how to get it right first and every time BY: Miriam Richardson Next issue: Caravan and Motorhome Electrics Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 14

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Full time for 20 odd years One thing I learnt after travelling full time for 20 odd years. It doesn't matter so much where you are, as long as you are present where you are. ©2025 Rv and Tiny House Living NZ Full time for 20 odd years ©2025 Rv and Tiny House Living NZ Full time for 20 odd years ©2025 Rv and Tiny House Living NZ One thing I learnt 20-odd years Fran One thing I learnt after travelling full-time for 20 odd years: It doesn’t matter so much where you are, as long as you are present where you are. Mind you, I still struggle with that at times, wanting nature and just the sounds of nature. lol. FB: facebook.com/rvandtinyhouselivingnz YouTube: ckw.nz/tiny-youtube©2025 Rv and Tiny House Living NZ Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 29

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Teardrop camping ©2023 Andrew Morton Teardrop camping Andrew Morton Teardrop camping. Cycling in Central Otago. ©2023 Andrew Morton Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 13

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Fishing at Kingston Heather Auckram Secured a magical spot beside the lakes edge at Kingston freedom camp and went fishing. Caught no fish, but enjoyed the serenity. The camp has a slight slope as it is at the base of the mountains, and there are plenty of shady trees. Traffic going to Queenstown was only a murmur on the nearby road. Vehicles must be self-contained if sleeping over (arrive early as it's a popular spot). Day trippers have use of everything, including the new loos. Q’town Lakes. Photo © 2022 Heather Auckram Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 32

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Q’town makes us welcome This is the summer to visit Queenstown Miriam Richardson There are parking bylaws and nationwide reserve laws that continue to affect freedom camping in Queenstown this summer, but the years-long prohibitive bans are gone from Queenstown Lakes District. The national law requiring freedom campers to be validly certified as self-contained still applies. After a lengthy legal battle Queenstown’s freedom camping bylaw has been judged invalid. “In the latest decision Justice Osborne, in the High Court in Invercargill, has declared QLDC’s decision to adopt its 2021 bylaw was invalid due to the unlawful influence and consideration of irrelevant matters, namely the economic impact on commercial campgrounds and the effects on private property values/amenity.” (NZMCA) The law states that freedom camping is “permitted in any local authority area”, though bylaws can restrict or prohibit freedom camping, they can only do so for specific purposes at specific places in response to a problem. “11 (2) A local authority may make a bylaw under subsection (1) only if it is satisfied that— (a) the bylaw is necessary for 1 or more of the following purposes: (i) to protect the area: (ii) to protect the health and safety of people who may visit the area: (iii) to protect access to the area; and (b) the bylaw is the most appropriate and proportionate way of addressing the perceived problem in relation to that area; and (c) the bylaw is not inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.” Freedom Camping Act 2011, 11 Restricting freedom camping also has to be “proportionate” to the problem, and “the most appropriate way” to address the problem. And, “for the avoidance of doubt” the law says: “12 Bylaws must not absolutely prohibit freedom camping (1) A local authority may not make bylaws under section 11 that have the effect of prohibiting freedom camping in all the local authority areas in its district.” Freedom Camping Act 2011, 12 The council has not yet decided if it will appeal the decision. The decision means there are legal costs it will need to meet for the challenger, NZMCA, and more costs if it appeals and loses yet again. It is also unclear as yet if the council will be obliged to refund any fines imposed under their invalid bylaw. The council maintains it was a valid bylaw right up until the moment the High Court said it wasn’t valid. In spite of two legal battles about freedom camping, the QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen strangely, still, seems to be unacquainted with the law. He still seems to believe that a general ban with a very few exceptions is legally acceptable. In the council response (24/9/24) to the court ruling: he says: “The Freedom Camping Act permits freedom camping on some public land, unless restricted or prohibited by a bylaw.” [emphasis mine] Accessed 29/10/24 ckw.nz/queenstown-response the law says: “Freedom camping is permitted in any local authority area, unless it is restricted or prohibited…” [emphasis mine] Freedom Camping Act 2011 10 (1). If the council doesn’t take the time and effort to actually look at the law itself (rather than the bits that have been fought and lost in court), it may be heading for a new round of expensive legal battles. It has begun the process of creating a new bylaw for 2025, which cannot be done before the summer is over. So in the meantime, this is the summer to explore the Queenstown Lakes district without the worry of their bounty-hunter-enforcers. ◊ “We warmly welcome responsible campers to our district” says the Queenstown chief executive and here I am at one of their very few freedom camping spots, Red Bridge, 81km from Q’town, on a busy corner of SH8a. 81km! (Above, from Google Street View. Below through my windscreen.) A fine scenic view of road signs, with free road entertainment as the trucks grind up the hill from the sharp corner. Not what I would call a ‘warm welcome’. 81km! Images ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 14

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption stories from a spring of camping Springing Many campers See your camping stories from spring. Tents. Weather. The night sky. Places to go, places to stay, things to do. GO Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 11

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption recipe-Pork and noddles ready to eat.webp for those colder evenings Winter meals on the road Margaret Earle Winter meals on the road At the beginning of May we spent a week caravanning from Cambridge to Hastings with our son, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters. The weather was getting colder and we were keen to have warm evening meals. Here’s recipes for some of the meals we made. Ohiwa Harbour creamy pasta Serves 4–6 This is a meal that my daughter-in-law makes regularly for their household. It can be adapted to use whatever protein and veges you have available, or to take account of food allergies or preferences. We used some left-over chicken and bacon as well as some carrots, mushrooms and frozen peas. Ingredients 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped (or 2tsp crushed garlic) 1 Tbsp cooking oil 2 Tbsp butter (if required) 2 Tbsp flour ¼ – ⅓ cup milk 1–2 teaspoons or cubes of stock powder (chicken or vegetable) Dash of Worcestershire sauce (optional) 1 packet of pasta Bacon (optional) Chicken (raw or cooked) Chopped vegetables (such as mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower) Frozen peas 1 cup grated cheese (optional) Method Put pasta on to cook in a large pot of hot water. At the same time, fry onion and garlic in a large pot or pan. Add bacon and brown. Add raw chicken (if using). Stir regularly until cooked. At this stage, add harder vegetables such as carrots or cauliflower and cook for a couple of minutes. If there is not enough fat in the pan, then add a couple of tablespoons of butter. Stir in flour. Cook for 30 seconds and continue stirring. Add milk, stock powder and 1–1½ cups of water from cooking the pasta. If using broccoli add it at this stage. Stir mixture regularly. Add pasta while it is still al dente and also vegetables such as mushrooms and frozen peas. Add grated cheese just before serving. Serve directly from pan. Some alternatives: – replace milk with sour cream or non-diary milks. – include wine in the sauce. – use mince or vegan proteins instead of chicken bacon. – use gluten-free flour and pasta. Waikanae Beach pulled pork Serves 4–6 As we were a large group and because we were intending to mostly stay in campgrounds, I took my slow cooker with me. We stayed two nights at the campground at Waikanae Beach in Gisborne, so this was a good opportunity to use the slow cooker. Pulled pork is very simple to make in a slow cooker. Ingredients Pork roast (1.5kg or more) 1 can of cider 1 Tbsp brown sugar Method Cut skin and fat off the pork roast. Put this aside uncovered in the fridge. This can be cooked any time over the next week when you are using the oven. Drying the pork fat out in the fridge will result in really good crackling. Put the roast in the slow cooker and add cider and brown sugar. You can also add chopped onions, garlic and/or your favourite sauce. Slow cook for around 8 hrs. Before serving, shred the pork. This can be done with two forks. We’d just bought a set of bear claws at the second-hand shop, so we tried them out. Drain any remaining liquid from the pork and serve the meat with fresh bread buns, coleslaw and pickles. You can also offer accompaniments like chilli sauce, cheese and salad veges of your choice. Mahia pork and noodles We had some left over pulled pork, so I used this as the base for our next night’s dinner in Mahia. This one pot meal can be made in any large pot or pan. The number of servings depends on the quantity of ingredients used. Ingredients Left-over pulled pork, including liquid 1 Tbsp cooking oil 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped (or 2 tsp crushed garlic) 1 Tbsp chopped fresh ginger (optional) 2 Tbsp soy sauce 2 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce (optional) Chopped veges such as carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, capsicum, cauliflower 2–3 packets of vacuum packed ready-to-use noodles Frozen peas or other frozen vegetables (optional) Method Chop onions, garlic, ginger and vegetables. Heat a large pan and add cooking oil. Fry onions until they start to go clear. Add garlic and ginger (if using) and cook for another 2 minutes. You can also add mushrooms and capsicum at this stage. Add in hard vegetables such carrots and cauliflower and cook for 2–3 minutes more. Then add left-over pulled pork and liquid along with soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce. Bring to boil and simmer. Meanwhile, soften noodles in boiling water for a few minutes before adding to pork and vegetable mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes and then add any frozen vegetables. I also add pre-cooked broccoli at this point. Once everything is heated through the meal is ready to be served. Images ©2024 Margaret Earle Download an image of the recipe page Recipes-8-06-24-CKW .webp Download WEBP • 351KB Download a pdf of the recipe page, 1.2mb Recipes-8-06-24-CKW .pdf Download PDF • 1.23MB Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 18

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Musterers Hutt ©2024 Linda Butler Musteres Hut The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers domain ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers domain playground at ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers Domain ©2024 Linda Butler I wont forget the look on a members face when her chair collapsed on her. ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers campground kitchen ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler an awesome bunch of happy campers STOP and STAY A weekend at Mt Somers Linda Butler Canterbury All Points campers enjoyed a great weekend at Mt Somers in March. It was full of sunshine, friendly locals and surprising entertainment. We will never forget that hedge which we are sure we deciphered. But I won’t tell the answer on here… Nor will I forget the look on a members face when her chair collapsed on her. It’s all part of camping. Our group included a 15 month old toddler to great grandparents with their photos. The domain had the cleanest facilities that I personally have come across in a while. A few of our members were thrilled to watch a local rugby game in play, reviving what rugby was all about, the atmosphere, the shouting, the energy. The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. We had a few energetic walkers that either explored the Blackburn Mine or went to see what the Sharplin Falls were about. They returned to camp with big smiles. The general store was a short walk. We browsed the gardens and lovely cared-for homes on our way there for a barista coffee. Yum. OK, the odd person sneaked back for ice cream and or pies… The friendly publican nearly cooked us with his log fire, lol, but better than a cold room. Oh, and I think Trev left some of the roadside blackberries for others. Check out our upcoming All Points Camping events on the website or facebook events page. “What an awesome bunch of happy campers. Fabulous weekend, weather was great, company great. Some of us enjoyed our stay so much we stopped an extra night or two. This is another “go back to” location.” Images ©2024 Linda Butler Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 31

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption doc-update-H.webp Image: Ainsley Harris | DOC How to dress for success in the great outdoors The right clothing will not only ensure you have a more comfortable and enjoyable trip but could literally save your life. Here’s some top tips for how to dress for the colder months. 
Photo | DOC ckw.nz/dress-outdoors Great Walks mythbusting There’s been a bit of misinformation going around about booking our Great Walks. We’ve written this blog to tackle the most common misconceptions. Photo: Milford Track | DOC ckw.nz/great-walks-myths Temporary closure of Northland tracks for cyclone recovery Two of Northland’s popular walks at Mangawhai Cliffs and Mt Manaia will be closed while they are repaired and enhanced after damage by Cyclone Gabrielle. Alternative tracks are available. Photo: Damage to Mangawhai Headland Walkway February 2023 | DOC ckw.nz/northland-tracks Cathedral Cove options Closed by extreme weather in Feb 23, three options are being considered. One is a short-term fix which would see construction of new steps and a boardwalk to reinstate a section of the existing track, while the two others would be long-term repairs involving installation of a cantilevered staircase and steps to the beach. 
Photo: Cathedral Cove damage Image: Ainsley Harris | DOC ckw.nz/cove-options Teaching the cultural story of the environment in Taranaki Te Ara Taiao is an education programme teaching school children about the environment and culture around them in Taranaki. 
Photo: Patuha maunga (known as Kaitake), one of the maunga 
that students learn about. | DOC ckw.nz/taranaki-story New suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga Within Egmont National Park/Te Papakura o Taranaki, it has been designed for a lifespan of 100 years, and to withstand the sub-alpine Manganui Gorge’s winds, weather conditions and a one in 250-year Mt Taranaki Avalanche. Supported by two massive masts at either end, the bridge sits 49.5m above the floor of the gorge. Photo: Suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga .
Wayne Boness |DOC ckw.nz/manganui Jos Divis cottage restoration celebrated Family members from the Czech Republic were among those who gathered at the old gold mining township of Waiuta today to celebrate the restoration of Jos Divis’ old home. Czech émigré Divis (1885–1967) was a keen amateur photographer who documented gold mining life during the heyday of the town, about 35 km from Reefton.
Photo: Jos Divis’ restored cottage at Waiuta | DOC ckw.nz/waiuta Dog attack believed to have killed 19 gulls in Kaikōura Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and DOC are reminding people to control dogs in coastal areas after 19 gulls/tarāpunga were found dead at Kaikōura’s South Bay, seemingly killed by a dog or dogs. “Dog owners should keep their dogs on a lead, not only to protect wildlife but also to keep their dog safe. We have witnessed seals attack unsuspecting dogs in the past.” Photo: Dead gulls South Bay, Kaikōura | DOC ckw.nz/dogs-gulls Quad bikers trash national park track Quad bikers trash national park track. In March a group of quad bike riders has caused extensive damage in Arthur’s Pass National Park in Canterbury, crushing sensitive vegetation, trashing boardwalks and leaving a trail of empty alcohol cans in their wake. 
Photo: The quad bike people of interest. | DOC ckw.nz/quads Canterbury spotted skink in serious trouble One of our rarest, seldom-seen skinks is even more threatened than we had thought, with fewer than 1000 mature individuals. It is now classified as Nationally Critical — the last step before extinction. Most Canterbury spotted skink populations are on private and council land. 
Canterbury spotted skink Image: James Reardon | DOC ckw.nz/skinks DOC Ōtepoti Visitor Centre to close DOC is closing its Ōtepoti Dunedin Visitor Centre and will focus on wildlife advocacy in the city in other ways. The i site will continue to provide visitor information and share wildlife advocacy information. Information about wildlife, tracks and huts in the region can be found on the DOC website. 
Photo: Sandy Bay lookout. | DOC ckw.nz/otepoti DOC update DOC How to dress for success in the great outdoors The right clothing will not only ensure you have a more comfortable and enjoyable trip but could literally save your life. Here’s some top tips for how to dress for the colder months. Photo | DOC ckw.nz/dress-outdoors Great Walks mythbusting There’s been a bit of misinformation going around about booking our Great Walks. We’ve written this blog to tackle the most common misconceptions. Photo: Milford Track | DOC ckw.nz/great-walks-myths Temporary closure of Northland tracks for cyclone recovery Two of Northland’s popular walks at Mangawhai Cliffs and Mt Manaia will be closed while they are repaired and enhanced after damage by Cyclone Gabrielle. Alternative tracks are available. Photo: Damage to Mangawhai Headland Walkway February 2023 | DOC ckw.nz/northland-tracks Cathedral Cove options Closed by extreme weather in Feb 23, three options are being considered. One is a short-term fix which would see construction of new steps and a boardwalk to reinstate a section of the existing track, while the two others would be long-term repairs involving installation of a cantilevered staircase and steps to the beach. Photo: Cathedral Cove damage Image: Ainsley Harris | DOC ckw.nz/cove-options Teaching the cultural story of the environment in Taranaki Te Ara Taiao is an education programme teaching school children about the environment and culture around them in Taranaki. Photo: Patuha maunga (known as Kaitake), one of the maunga that students learn about. | DOC ckw.nz/taranaki-story New suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga Within Egmont National Park/Te Papakura o Taranaki, it has been designed for a lifespan of 100 years, and to withstand the sub-alpine Manganui Gorge’s winds, weather conditions and a one in 250-year Mt Taranaki Avalanche. Supported by two massive masts at either end, the bridge sits 49.5m above the floor of the gorge. Photo: Suspension bridge on the Taranaki Maunga .Wayne Boness |DOC ckw.nz/manganui Jos Divis cottage restoration celebrated Family members from the Czech Republic were among those who gathered at the old gold mining township of Waiuta today to celebrate the restoration of Jos Divis’ old home. Czech émigré Divis (1885–1967) was a keen amateur photographer who documented gold mining life during the heyday of the town, about 35 km from Reefton. Photo: Jos Divis’ restored cottage at Waiuta | DOC ckw.nz/waiuta Dog attack believed to have killed 19 gulls in Kaikōura Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and DOC are reminding people to control dogs in coastal areas after 19 gulls/tarāpunga were found dead at Kaikōura’s South Bay, seemingly killed by a dog or dogs. “Dog owners should keep their dogs on a lead, not only to protect wildlife but also to keep their dog safe. We have witnessed seals attack unsuspecting dogs in the past.” Photo: Dead gulls South Bay, Kaikōura | DOC ckw.nz/dogs-gulls Quad bikers trash national park track Quad bikers trash national park track. In March a group of quad bike riders has caused extensive damage in Arthur’s Pass National Park in Canterbury, crushing sensitive vegetation, trashing boardwalks and leaving a trail of empty alcohol cans in their wake. Photo: The quad bike people of interest. | DOC ckw.nz/quads Canterbury spotted skink in serious trouble One of our rarest, seldom-seen skinks is even more threatened than we had thought, with fewer than 1000 mature individuals. It is now classified as Nationally Critical — the last step before extinction. Most Canterbury spotted skink populations are on private and council land. Canterbury spotted skink Image: James Reardon | DOC ckw.nz/skinks DOC Ōtepoti Visitor Centre to close DOC is closing its Ōtepoti Dunedin Visitor Centre and will focus on wildlife advocacy in the city in other ways. The i site will continue to provide visitor information and share wildlife advocacy information. Information about wildlife, tracks and huts in the region can be found on the DOC website. Photo: Sandy Bay lookout. | DOC ckw.nz/otepoti Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 39

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption editorial-MNR_0991_H.webp ©2024 M Richardson keep warm, keep camping, keep enjoying Editorial Miriam Richardson I have been enjoying following along on Facebook the many campers who aren’t intimidated by the season and are planning to continue camping in Winter. I have been perched at the campground in Glendhu Bay, plugged in to power while I work on this magazine, enjoying day after day of beautiful weather and stunning views, while the North Island has been cloudy, buffeted by wind, and fairly damp. I am not sure if this is a charmed spot or I have just been lucky. It has been a pretty grim time for people who want to freedom camp, having to work hard to find practical solutions within the flawed regulations. You will find some articles here on how to meet the toilet requirements for the new green warrant. There is a possibility there might be relief from the bizarre requirement to drill a hole in your toilet cassette and your vehicle. Holding off might save $ (and defer payment of the $120 government self-containment levy). There are more vehicle inspectors for the green warrants, though still not enough. You might be lucky enough to find one in your area. The government has announced an increase in the visitor levy on tourists. So far it has wasted all it collected this way on enforcement — if it created more facilities the need for enforcement would be less, but there is no impetus, either locally or nationally to improve or increase facilities for these, our most lucrative tourists. As we head in to winter, keep warm, keep camping, keep enjoying and caring for our lovely country. Tiaki mai. Miriam Richardson Image: Glendhu Bay, Wanaka, ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 4