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  • Stopping, Staying, Skiing | Camping the Kiwi Way

    12 Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption ss-sanctuary-fb11.jpg GO TO Chilly chilly chilly out there STOP and STAY Stopping, Staying, Skiing Angela Bryan North Island: Stopping, Staying, Skiing Sanctuary Farm 1464 Whangaehu Valley Road, Kakatahi, Wanganui Amazing peace and serenity surround you in this little out of the way spot. Enjoy time just chilling out, maybe swim in the pool or sleep in the sun. Bring your horse, there is plenty of space for them. No other pets allowed, sorry. WHO: Room for larger vehicles including horse floats and the horse. No dogs sorry. FACILITIES: Toilets. ACTIVITIES: Only 30 minutes to both Central Plateau ski fields. Enjoy free use in the evenings to soak in my super duper eco friendly wood fired steam punk spa. Sip your favourite plonk and look at the stars. Gold coin donation would be mint… Stratford A&P Park 9 Flint Road East, Stratford Basic Stop and Stay property. Town-supply water and toilets on site. A short distance to shops and cafés. Nestled under Mount Egmont/Taranaki and close to historical sites. $5 per van per night unpowered, $10 with power. Honesty box located on hall door. WHO: Dogs allowed, 3 nights max. FACILITIES: Toilets, fresh water, large vehicles. ACTIVITIES: Only 30 minutes to the Manganui Ski Area. South Island: Stopping, Staying, Skiing Terako Downs 1759 Inland Road, Lyford, North Canterbury With 6 hectares of outstanding natural landscape at Terako Downs you will wake to the call of native birds and the trickling river. Enjoy the ambience of the sweeping landscape in the evening while exploring the region during the day. Must be self contained. WHO: Room for larger vehicles, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, kitchen. ACTIVITIES: Less than 30 minutes to Mt Lyford Ski area. More on Terako Downs in Issue 10 Waiau Tavern 18 Lyndon Street, Waiau, Nth Canterbury No charge for the night, butneed to buy something in the cafe/bar. There is grassed area, where the old hotel used to be, and some hard stand. There are walks and bike rides based in Waiau, and interesting historical exhibits all year, and a cob cottage and museum that is open most of the year. The locals are very welcoming and enjoy chatting with visitors. WHO: Day trippers, cycle campers, tents, vehicles large & small, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, fresh water, food and drink. ACTIVITIES: 45 minutes to Mt Lyford Ski Area. Read more on Waiau from issue 5 Bluff Farm POP 926 Ashley Gorge Road, Oxford, Canterbury Bluff farm is a working dairy farm, with access to many walks, cycle tracks and Oxford is 10 mins away. Oxford has a variety of shops, cafes, working men’s club, pool, vet, supermarket and pharmacy to name a few. More . WHO: Tenters, small and large vehicles, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, shower, fresh water. ACTIVITIES: 75minutes to Porters Alpine ski area. Advanced Upholstery Darfield 3967 West Coast Road, Darfield, Canterbury 35km west of Christchurch, Darfield is a hub for holidays focused on activities in the Canterbury region. With a backdrop of the Southern Alps, close to the Waimakariri River and the limestone landscape of Castle Hill. Walk, explore, enjoy water sports, off road adventures walk or sit back to relax and revive. WHO: Self contained, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, laundry. ACTIVITIES: 50 minutes to Porters Alpine Ski area. 🏕️ stopandstaynz.org Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 36

  • stop-stay

    BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption SS_Papamoa-_20250908_115109.webp Stop and Stay Up Up , p 30

  • stop-stay

    Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption ss-sanctuary-fb11.jpg GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE STOP and STAY Stopping, Staying, Skiing Angela Bryan North Island: Stopping, Staying, Skiing Sanctuary Farm 1464 Whangaehu Valley Road, Kakatahi, Wanganui Amazing peace and serenity surround you in this little out of the way spot. Enjoy time just chilling out, maybe swim in the pool or sleep in the sun. Bring your horse, there is plenty of space for them. No other pets allowed, sorry. WHO: Room for larger vehicles including horse floats and the horse. No dogs sorry. FACILITIES: Toilets. ACTIVITIES: Only 30 minutes to both Central Plateau ski fields. Enjoy free use in the evenings to soak in my super duper eco friendly wood fired steam punk spa. Sip your favourite plonk and look at the stars. Gold coin donation would be mint… Stratford A&P Park 9 Flint Road East, Stratford Basic Stop and Stay property. Town-supply water and toilets on site. A short distance to shops and cafés. Nestled under Mount Egmont/Taranaki and close to historical sites. $5 per van per night unpowered, $10 with power. Honesty box located on hall door. WHO: Dogs allowed, 3 nights max. FACILITIES: Toilets, fresh water, large vehicles. ACTIVITIES: Only 30 minutes to the Manganui Ski Area. South Island: Stopping, Staying, Skiing Terako Downs 1759 Inland Road, Lyford, North Canterbury With 6 hectares of outstanding natural landscape at Terako Downs you will wake to the call of native birds and the trickling river. Enjoy the ambience of the sweeping landscape in the evening while exploring the region during the day. Must be self contained. WHO: Room for larger vehicles, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, kitchen. ACTIVITIES: Less than 30 minutes to Mt Lyford Ski area. More on Terako Downs in Issue 10 Waiau Tavern 18 Lyndon Street, Waiau, Nth Canterbury No charge for the night, butneed to buy something in the cafe/bar. There is grassed area, where the old hotel used to be, and some hard stand. There are walks and bike rides based in Waiau, and interesting historical exhibits all year, and a cob cottage and museum that is open most of the year. The locals are very welcoming and enjoy chatting with visitors. WHO: Day trippers, cycle campers, tents, vehicles large & small, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, fresh water, food and drink. ACTIVITIES: 45 minutes to Mt Lyford Ski Area. Read more on Waiau from issue 5 Bluff Farm POP 926 Ashley Gorge Road, Oxford, Canterbury Bluff farm is a working dairy farm, with access to many walks, cycle tracks and Oxford is 10 mins away. Oxford has a variety of shops, cafes, working men’s club, pool, vet, supermarket and pharmacy to name a few. More . WHO: Tenters, small and large vehicles, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, shower, fresh water. ACTIVITIES: 75minutes to Porters Alpine ski area. Advanced Upholstery Darfield 3967 West Coast Road, Darfield, Canterbury 35km west of Christchurch, Darfield is a hub for holidays focused on activities in the Canterbury region. With a backdrop of the Southern Alps, close to the Waimakariri River and the limestone landscape of Castle Hill. Walk, explore, enjoy water sports, off road adventures walk or sit back to relax and revive. WHO: Self contained, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, laundry. ACTIVITIES: 50 minutes to Porters Alpine Ski area. 🏕️ stopandstaynz.org Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 36

  • buyer-beware

    9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Then our nightmare started. Buyer beware Anonymous I have chronic persisting back pain. I cannot last more than about 5 minutes doing any chores before pain sends me to a chair. Sometimes I can do the supermarket run easily, other times it’s agony. When we go camping I can only sit and watch others go exploring when really I would prefer to join them. It is another form of a horrible cruel, disability. Buying the caravan meant we could travel with my mobility scooter inside the caravan. This meant not only could I get involved on walks with our camping group, it also meant we didn’t need to sell our car to buy a van which would have meant that I couldn’t take our young granddaughters camping with us. I know the caravan is classed as a toy hauler, but we didn’t want to use it for toys, rather as a means to improve my life. The caravan was only 9 years old. We pawed over the photos, checked questions asked, relieved to read it was water tight when asked about leaks and damages. Measurements seemed to work for holding my scooter. It had an awning which we could use to store the scooter in at night which meant we could access the bathroom area at night. So we made a phone call to the owner to discuss it further. I asked, if they kept it, what would they do to improve it. They said nothing needed doing. We asked if they could hold it for us until the following weekend however they were not keen. We were going away south that weekend and they were going away for a week. We were concerned someone local to them would look at it before we got to view. it So after considering all the information we had, and as they had answered everything in a positive manner, we chose to trust them and made an offer which was accepted. We pressed Buy Now. Vintage Wagon at a Whanganui Vintage weekend 2024. ©2024 Margaret Earle Why we didn’t do an inspection at pickup The few days before we went to collect the caravan, hubby was recovering from having put his back out. We almost cancelled the drive to collect it. We travelled the day prior to the pick up so as to break our trip. On the day we collected it, rain was coming in waves. We could only carefully follow them around the caravan as they showed us how things worked. Hubby asked if the roof was in good condition . He said yes and offered us to go up on a balcony to look, but we chose to trust him as it was a sloped section and we couldn’t afford either of us to upset our backs. I did attempt to walk up a small sloped driveway to see what I could, but it was not high enough. So, we were pleased he confirmed it was in good nick. After sheltering from a rain shower in their garage, we loaded and left. Then our nightmare started. Big leak We stayed at a riverside camp on the way home because hubby was struggling with his back. We decided to leave the caravan attached to the car, even though it meant the back of the caravan was higher than the front. It was only for one night. It poured with yet another rain shower. Then I glanced up and noticed a line of water about 10 cm wide, flowing past the shower door, past the hand basin area, reaching the toilet door. Approx a metre long. It was no small trickle. I wish we had taken a photo before we grabbed a towel to mop it up. On closer inspection, the outer corner of the caravan was soft and full of water. I had noticed a smell when we first entered the caravan, but I thought it was because the caravan had been shut up and needed a good clean and airing. We, fortunately, are not used to musty smells. We are now! The awning was stored in that part of the caravan which will be why we didn’t notice that damp corner. First thing Monday, I called a local specialist and booked it to be looked at. We had to wait til the end of the week. I burst into tears when they told us what they found. The roof was soft and is probably the main cause of water down the sides of the caravan. There were signs of repairs in many places. It has had ongoing prolonged water ingress. It will need stripping before they can see the extent of damage done. We were guttered. They took 39 photos. We also discovered earlier in the week that the awning was not the right style for the caravan either. The awning had rounded corners, (and two big rips), whereas the caravan had square corners. I contacted a firm that dealt with this style of caravan and they said the manufacturer did not recommend using this style of awning but a “pull out” model only. Warning At the time of writing this, the caravan still sits empty, untouched in our back yard. We are in discussions with our lawyer. Victims don’t seem to have many rights these days. There is lots of protection for the seller though. Good and bad ones. So, do get your vehicle checked so no one can pull the wool over your eyes. More On investigation we discovered that not many firms want to do a pre-purchase inspection anymore. If anything is missed or not able to be seen (come on, they can’t take it all apart!), the firm takes the hit — purchasers try to make it a financial one to avoid having to pay for it themselves. So I guess we can’t blame them for not wanting to do inspections. I heard this from a number of firms I contacted. Google ‘caravan pre-purchase inspection’ for someone near the seller. The best advice I was given was don’t buy it before seeing it. If the owner won’t hold it— there could be a reason… ◼️ The writer has chosen to be anonymous. See page 20 What you need to look for… for a checklist from Collyn Rivers. Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 21

  • Issue 5, Editorial

    Uncertain times, but enjoy our country to the max. BUY PDF CONTENTS Spring 2023 ISSUE 5 Up Editorial Miriam Richardson For those of us camping in tents, or with vans, buses or motorhomes with fixed toilets, the recent law changes are having little immediate impact. Those with portable toilets, and those planning self-containment in their vehicle, are living through a long, slow time of uncertainty while they wait for clarity so they can choose how and whether to upgrade their setup and or pursue other camping options. Let’s encourage our councils to make space for campers of all stripes; they can do it if they have a will. As we enjoy Spring and get ready for the Summer it is time to make the most of our camping opportunities, whatever they are. Share what you know This issue we have featured Stop and Stay, a free listing of recommended places (p12). Add your recommendations for free camping spots, campgrounds, DOC sites or private places that allow people to stay. Those of you camping with dogs, let others know which places are great for you and your pets. Which places are great to take teenagers? toddlers? grandchildren? Where are the places where the fishing is good; or kyaking, cycling, or other pursuit? Love small towns This issue we feature Waiau, a tiny town in North Canterbury with a lot to offer (p23). What small towns have you visited that welcome campers? Let us all know: add their overnight spots to Stop and Stay. We want the small towns to welcome and love us: lets stay some nights, spend some dollars, add some value, explore and enjoy the place. And let’s leave the remote and beautiful places just as beautiful when we leave as when we arrive. Tiaki mai. Miriam Richardson Up Up Up make the most of our camping opportunities, whatever they are 1/1

  • editorial

    8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption editorial-MNR_0991_H.webp ©2024 M Richardson GO TO Autumn Gold 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

  • summer-22, editorial

    2 Summer 2022 Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Editorial: A long hot summer Miriam Richardson Up Miriam Richardson As we move towards summer the cabbage trees are in full and generous flower, the sign of a long hot summer to come, I am told. Let’s make the most of this opportunity to get out and enjoy our country. Take the kids or the grand-kids with you (see Freedom Camping, 1964). Try out all the freedom camping spots along your way, spend a night or two at a motor camp while you explore the area. Have a dip in the sea or the river. Explore the far-flung and out of the way places. After these years of turmoil, make the most of this summer break. Our horizon has some troubling clouds. Freedom camping is under threat, rocketing fuel prices make the miles more expensive, climate excesses are taking out roads, and there is some question if all of them can be reinstated, particularly in the more remote places. So this summer: get out there and enjoy it . A very beautiful country is right on our doorstep. Waiting for us. This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. As we move towards summer the cabbage trees are in full and generous flower, the sign of a long hot summer to come, I am told. Let’s make the most of this opportunity to get out and enjoy our country. Take the kids or the grand-kids with you (see Freedom Camping, 1964 ). Try out all the freedom camping spots along your way, spend a night or two at a motor camp while you explore the area. Have a dip in the sea or the river.Explore the far-flung and out of the way places. After these years of turmoil, make the most of this summer break. Our horizon has some troubling clouds. Freedom camping is under threat, rocketing fuel prices make the miles more expensive, climate excesses are taking out roads, and there is some question if all of them can be reinstated, particularly in the more remote places. So this summer: get out there and enjoy it . A very beautiful country is right on our doorstep. Waiting for us. This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. Up Up Explore the far flung, out-of-the-way places this summer 1/1

  • Weather, climate and camping: editorial | Camping the Kiwi Way

    12 Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption editorial_H_quinney's-after.webp GO TO Chilly chilly chilly out there The impact of our changing weather. Weather, climate and camping: editorial Miriam Richardson Campers of all stripes are feeling the impact of our changing weather. Both Kaiteriteri’s Bethany Park in Tasman and Quinney’s Bush (also in Tasman; above) face a big cleanup after 2 once-in-100-year floods in a fortnight. A mini-tornado destroyed one camper and upturned another in Tauranga Bay in Northland. The damage from Cyclone Gabriel is still being remedied 2 years later, and some of the devastated campsites seem unlikely to reopen. Narrow winding roads through our steep mountains and hills, leading to more out of the way places are very vulnerable to slips and reinstatement is not quick, and each time raises question about the economics of repair. Read Vunerable Roads National funding for extreme weather events has been repurposed for things this government considers more important so the energy, effort and costs of recovery as well as of future-proofing for changing weather is left to famillies, businesses, and local councils. How, as campers, can we support affected campgrounds? If we want to keep camping facilities alive in remote and beautiful parts of the country, what can we do? 🏕️ Tiaki mai, tiaki atu, Miriam Richardson, Editor Above photos: ©2025 Quinneys Bush Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 4

  • 4 Winter 2023, editorial

    4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Editorial: The good news Miriam Richardson Up The really good news came from the Westland District Council in January this year. In their peak Christmas/New Year season, there were about 170,000 camper-nights in their region, and only 47 infringements issued (0.03%). Small towns can take heart, as they welcome freedom campers to their area. Most campers are able to contain their rubbish and all waste products for 3 days and are able to stay and leave no trace (cycle campers and some car campers will plan their route around public toilets). We use to call this ability to contain waste ‘self-containment’ but we need a new word now our parliament has decided a toilet screwed to the floor is a necessary part of ‘self-containment’. Keeping the focus on leaving no trace, ‘tiaki — care for New Zealand’, is the way forward for small towns, campers of all kinds, and for regional and district councils, as they consider how to welcome visitors to their areas. Self containment changes in brief This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping . Up Up Until Jun 6 2023 we called the ability to contain your waste for 3 days ‘self-containment.’ 1/1 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

  • editorial

    10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing share the pleasures of camping far and wide A summer of content: editorial Miriam Richardson While we travel in a country beset by discontent, we can lift our eyes to the hills, and see the enduring beauty and majesty of the country we live in. The long view. Someone asked why the free places don’t look as wonderful as the photos she had seen, and the answer is we choose where to look, where to snap, and what to share. A nondescript bit of land— scrubby plants, struggling to survive, and rabbit holes. We aren’t blind to the rough, but we focus elsewhere. We might be parked in a line-up of other campers, but we can still look to the hills, the lake, the sea, the clouds or the magnificent night sky ( aurora , what is out there ). Our new freedom camping laws are a dog’s breakfast; plenty of scope for discontent. But unless (or until) there is an opportunity to take positive action, we can feast our eyes on those hills and skies and share the pleasures of camping far and wide. ◊ Tiaki mai, tiaki atu, Miriam Richardson, Editor The Lindis Crossing freedom camping spot, Central Otago is a very nondescript bit of land — rabbit holes, weeds, scrubby plants struggling to survive. But behind are those magnificent hills. The fabulous dusk sky. Images: ©2024 Miriam Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 4

  • summer-23, editorial

    An El Niño summer gives a sterner edge to commonsense precautions. Caught in the middle or a camper upgrade? Encourage the small towns to love us. Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Editorial Up Miriam Richardson An El Niño summer It seems we are having an El Niño summer. Hotter, windier, dryer north and east, wetter in the west; dramatic temperature swings, and extreme, possibly damaging winds. This weather demands our attention as we head into our prime summer camping season. Are the roads ok? Will the wind be ok for driving? Will it be safe near that tree, that branch, with this wind forecast? Should I carry extra water? What is the fire risk? These are questions for every trip, but El Niño gives them a sterner edge. Having reserve supplies of all kinds in case you get stranded (fuel, meds, water &c) might be becoming basic commonsense. Radio is your emergency friend where mobiles won’t work. The government gives us some tools to help: NZTA highway conditions  ckw.nz/road Met Service weather warnings  ckw.nz/weather NIWA fire weather  ckw.nz/fire Radio frequencies  ckw.nz/radio Caught in the middle For those caught in the middle with their campervans and self-containment, you have tough choices, with freedom camping dodgy at best. Councils are just learning how to enforce the new, inadequate law, some traditional places are off limits as necessary new bylaws havent had time to go through. It’s confusing and disappointing on many fronts. So we just have to throw our hearts over, and find the best way we can to enjoy our country, our summer, our camping. All creative solutions to the conundrums are welcome — do please share it with us all. Encourage the small towns to love us Park considerately. Leave the space tidier than when you arrived. Spend some money, visit their attractions, walk and bike their tracks, appreciate their views and share their joy. They could well build and shape a positive free-camping future for us all if we inspire them to do so. Tiaki mai. Kindly sponsored by All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up 1/1

  • editorial

    9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Mackenzie Country, winter 2024. Cows crossing the bridge, Ohau B Canal, Mackenzie Country, August. ©2024 M Richardson Roll on summer. Editorial Editor We have had a mild winter, not so good for skiers, but really good for campers, and we head through spring into summer looking at a good forecast ( ckw.nz/niwa-1024 ), with a just a bit of risk of some heavy rainfall events. Cows crossing the bridge, Ohau B Canal, Mackenzie Country, August. ©2024 M Richardson As we continue on our journey towards the new horizon our governments have given us for camping in a Kiwi way, we are buoyed by the ingenuity that is enabling vehicle campers to meet the new self-containment requirements, while tent campers are only now becoming aware how the new law is shrinking their choices. Councils now have to create bylaws if they are to allow non-self-contained camping within their region, and many do not seem to feel any obligation to cater to the needs of tent campers at all. Meanwhile, NZMCA, while rescuing some publicly-owned camping grounds from neglect, is failing to rise to the challenge of supporting all NZ campers, when managing a public facility (more next issue). All Points Camping has a great list of camps coming up (p36), and if you are new to camping, check the ‘soft start’ suggesrtions from their Stop and Stay list (p34). Share your camping stories with us: successes and challenges too— lets keep each other inspired as we explore and enjoy New Zealand. ◼️ Tiaki mai, tiaki atu Miriam Richardson, Editor Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 4

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