9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption If your car is big enough to tow your caravan and stop it, and you load the caravan and car properly … Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights Wayne Ravelich Let’s get started. Firstly, make sure your caravan is ready to move. Doors, windows & vents are all closed, Satellite dish is down, Legs are up. Now hook up to the tow vehicle. Is the tow coupling (tow ball) the same size as the caravan hitch? There are two common sizes, 1 ⅞ inch and 50 mm. Some American caravans have a larger fitting. Connect your electrics, trailer plug and, if fitted, Anderson plugs and possibly rear camera plug. Don’t forget the chains and/or breakaway lead. If you are new to towing it is not hard to master. Stay in the middle of your lane and DO NOT cut corners. There is a thing called ‘tracking’ that effects trailers going around corners. This means that the trailer can take a different path to the towing vehicle. If you go around a corner slowly with your wheels in the gutter the caravan could be on the verge or footpath. If fast, the caravan could be in the outside lane. Practice makes perfect. The more you tow your caravan the better you will get. Find an open space to practice backing. Here is a link to a great YouTube clip on backing a caravan: ckw.nz/reversing . Backing tip Common directions when backing a caravan are, left hand down or right hand down. This is your hands on the steering wheel. If you want your caravan to go to your right (going backwards) your car goes LEFT to start the turn, left hand down. If you want your caravan to go to your left (going backwards) your car goes RIGHT to start the turn, right hand down. Once the caravan starts pointing in the correct direction, start to straighten the steering wheel. It can take a little practice to get it right but well worth it. Remember it is better to have a couple of tries at reverse parking than do it once and crash into something. Two or three attempts to reverse into that spot will only cost you time. Getting it wrong will hurt your pocket. Stability You are almost ready to hit the road. Have you got all you need for your camping trip? Is it loaded correctly? Heavy items in the caravan/trailer like water and waste tanks should be over the axle and secured in place, If you brake in a hurry they could move forward and change the load characteristics of the towed vehicle. If there is too much weight in the back or boot of the towing vehicle that can also cause problems. We will talk about weight a bit later. The two most common problems associated with bad weight distribution are swaying of the towed vehicle and or light steering in the towing vehicle. Swaying (snaking) If the trailer starts to sway: • do not apply your brakes • instead, remove your foot from the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow down. Too much weight in the back of the tow vehicle or too high a tow ball weight can affect steering. As the back of the tow vehicle goes down (due to excess weight) the front comes up and the front wheels can lose traction which reduces your ability to steer. Tow ball and caravan hitch weights will be listed, either in the owner’s manual or online. Exceeding these weights can cause the above problems. Passengers We have all joked about putting the passengers on the roof rack. Unfortunately, we can’t do that, we also can’t put them in the caravan while moving. Two trailers And we can’t tow two trailers with a light (class 1) vehicle. Let’s talk weight This Youtube video shows it all, well worth watching: ckw.nz/weight-scenarios Just because your car has a tow-ball does not mean it can pull your caravan. Picture a Mini towing a 10 m Jayco off-road caravan — NOT going to happen. Weight terms There are a number of terms used when referring to vehicle weights. Let us have a quick look at these now. What is the difference between GVM and GCM? • Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) refers to the maximum allowable total mass of a fully loaded motor vehicle as specified by the manufacturer. • Whereas Gross Combined Mass (GCM) refers to the weight of the tow vehicle and trailer hitched together while both are fully loaded (including passengers, equipment, fuel and tools). • Tare weight The empty weight of the vehicle or trailer/caravan. • A vehicle’s towing capacity c an be found on the towbar, owner manual or online. • Ball weight The weight of the trailer/caravan on the tow ball. An example of a caravan VIN plate showing weights (above). Note the ATM is the same as our GVM. The GCM Gross Combined Mass relates to how much you can load your tow vehicle and how much it will tow. Something to remember and is often overlooked, passengers are weight. Mum, Dad, the kids and the dog: ALL count as weight and are part of the payload. I have an American 11 m caravan with a GVM of 3.1 Ton. So, I need a BIG vehicle that can pull over that weight. A Ranger or a Colorado will pull 3.5 Ton, a Rexton will pull 3.2 and is way cheaper, BUT the GCM is a lot smaller, so the Rexton has limited payload. A Dodge Ram has a higher GVM and GCM, a Ram can tow 6 Ton (wow!) and still load the back of the Ram with extras, but not cheap and the weight means you needs a ‘class 2’ licence. The bigger and heavier you get changes the class of driver licence needed. What I am saying is: your tow vehicle has to match your caravan. The bigger the tow vehicle the better, and the longer the tow vehicle is, the better stability when towing. Last couple of points • If you exceed the towing vehicles rated towing capacity, ie the caravan is too heavy, you will have trouble stopping. The towing capacity relates to the size and weight of the vehicle and the capacity of its brakes. • Tow ball weight. We talked earlier about too much weight in the boot of the towing vehicle. Exceeding the towball weight has the same see-saw affect, the back goes down and the front, including wheels go up causing a loss in steering— its hard to go around corners if the front wheels are in the air. In summary If your car is big enough to tow your caravan and stop it, and you load the caravan and car properly, you will have the makings of a great trip away. Happy Camping ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 13

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Spring Fling Foxton Beach M Richardson All sorts of campers at the Foxton Beach Spring Fling camping weekend. All Points Camping. ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 21

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption kiwi-coven_H.webp Who we are (from left to right) Christine, Carolyn Penny Kathryn, Wendy, Colleen. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Lady Penelope Six solo camping women ranging in age from 54 to 74 years old, found themselves gathered beside the camp fire one autumn evening in the Tararua District. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Myrtle Six solo camping women ranging in age from 54 to 74 years old, found themselves gathered beside the camp fire one autumn evening in the Tararua District. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Miss Abigail Six solo camping women ranging in age from 54 to 74 years old, found themselves gathered beside the camp fire one autumn evening in the Tararua District. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Around the fire pit Connecting with their sisters in the self-proclaimed ‘Kiwi Camping Coven’ around the fire pit, at the Viking Odyssey Weekend, All Points Camping Club event at Norsewood in May ©2024 Bette Cosgrove six solo camping women from 54 to 74 years old Kiwi camping coven Bette Cosgrove Six solo camping women ranging in age from 54 to 74 years old, found themselves gathered beside the camp fire one autumn evening in the Tararua District. Connecting with their sisters in the self-proclaimed ‘Kiwi Camping Coven’ around the fire pit, at the Viking Odyssey Weekend, All Points Camping Club event at Norsewood in May, this happy accident was a discovery that their shared life experiences gave them a common passion. They’re all solo campers who have camped all their lives. They discovered a love of lifetime camping, once sharing this with partners, but life’s circumstances mean they now go it alone. Who we are (from left to right) Christine, Carolyn Penny Kathryn, Wendy, Colleen ✤ Christine is towing a 2 berth British caravan with no name (yet) adorned with BAT WINGS. ✤ Carolyn drives a Toyota van — with munchkin cat Jasper. Her vehicle is named Jasper’s Journeys. Formerly, she lived 10 years in a bus. ✤ Penny drives a 7.5m German motorhome named Lady Penelope (from Thunderbirds). She has a static permanent caravan in a commercial campground, to come and go from. ✤ Kathryn tows her 6.5m Swift caravan called Miss Abigail. She lives in it permanently, mostly travelling the roads of NZ. ✤ Wendy has a Toyota Hiace van named NakiLass with rag doll cat Cindy. Her home base is a cabin on rural land. ✤ Colleen tows her neat little poptop camper called Myrtle. Answering these questions, it was clear that despite their wide backgrounds and variety of life experiences, they had all found a common purpose and a joy for solo camping life. Why travel and camp alone? ✤ We meet new friends. ✤ There’s a sense of independence and freedom. ✤ To have new experiences. ✤ Being outdoors offers a greater sense of wellbeing. ✤ All of us women have met a wide variety of challenges in our lives, but we’ve coped with them by camping! What do you need for solo camping and travelling? ✤ A sense of adventure. ✤ Big girl panties. ✤ Courage and ✤ Good reversing skills. Why this activity? ✤ Get out of comfort zone, ✤ We’re all survivors of life challenges, so sitting home quietly watching TV doesn’t offer much challenge or excitement. ✤ Keeping it simple is important for solo camping life, not much clutter, minding how you use your resources like power and water. ✤ Simplicity over stress. ✤ Communication and laughter around a campfire is the best reason to come camping. The benefits of joining a group? ✤ Sharing tips and places. ✤ Enjoying the social meet ups and finding like minded travelling friends to have a good laugh with. ✤ We support each other. ✤ Joining in fun events. Tips for other women contemplating going solo? ✤ Just do it! ✤ You’ll love it! ✤ Learn from your mistakes. ✤ Getting through gateways might be difficult, practice! ✤ We’re all OK without partners. ✤ Follow your instincts… move if you need to or feel unsafe. ✤ Meet your camping neighbours if you feel insecure. Best experiences to share? ✤ The Patea All Points Camping gathering recently was just so much fun. ✤ Forgotten Highway trip, stranded in a ditch with 5 women campers when 1 woman broke her leg on a 4-day trip. ✤ A huge achievement when we made it through. You are often SO proud of what you’re doing. ✤ Chatting and laughing around the camp fire it was obvious this informal sisterhood gives strength and joy. ✤ “Every time we get together with other women solo campers we leave so happy,” Christine says. Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 29

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Lake Taupo ©2023 Angela Bryan Durie Hill Tower ©2023 Angela Bryan Tunnel access to Durie Hill Tower ©2023 Angela Bryan Durie Hill ©2023 Angela Bryan Homing Pigeon ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimarie Paddle Steamer ©2023 Angela Bryan Loo with a view ©2023 Angela Bryan Riverview Scenic Reserve - Murchison ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan Maruia Falls The Maruia Falls, on the way, are well worth the stop for a short walk and there’s plenty of room to park up for a lunch break. ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River Bridge Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan DOC park Hanmer ©2023 Angela Bryan lets_Waimakakariri 3.webp ©2023 Angela Bryan DOC ablutions Hanmer ©2023 Angela Bryan lets_Cape Farewell 2_MW.webp ©2023 Angela Bryan Whatamango Bay ©2023 Angela Bryan lets_Cape Farewell 2_MW.webp STOP and STAY Let’s go south for a few weeks’ Angela Bryan Let’s go South for a few weeks.’ How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ ‘OK. let’s see how it goes.’ That’s pretty much how the conversation with hubby went when I saw an opening to get him away in our 6.5m Leisureline caravan for more than a long weekend or a couple of weeks holiday. So after booking ferry crossings we were off. First stop over was the shores of Lake Ohakuri in the Taupo area. Early March had some decently nice days to just chill out and unwind from all the preparation needed to be away from our orchard for an extended period. Peace and quiet, nice cuppa and hot pools to relax in, although they were a bit cooler than normal due to the large amount of rain from the two recent cyclones. We had decided we would avoid the main highways where possible on this trip and get to see a bit more of the country — stop off at those places we just normally drive through, and have a look around. Our next destination was Raetihi, travelling the western side of Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park. There is some beautiful scenery through this area. ©2023 Angela Bryan So our next destination was Raetihi, travelling the western side of Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park. There is some beautiful scenery through this area. We rocked up to the Raetihi Holiday Park mid afternoon and got one of the last two powered sites they had. Who would have thought Raetihi is a busy place? Well it certainly is. The holiday park is the base for a lot of rafting and tramping trips and there were people coming and going constantly. A lovely small park with reasonably priced sites and the most amazing ablution block you will ever see. If you’re in this area stopping in here for the night is a must, just for the showers. Recently built, the block contains all the usual amenities. The lights turn on automatically when you walk into the toilets, nice but no big deal. When you walk into the shower cubicle, big enough for mum and a couple of kids, the light turns on, the fan turns on, and the heat lamp turns on . Yes, the heat lamp . There’s no reaching to the back of the shower to turn it on and getting wet at the same time, loads of room to keep clothes and shoes dry and the pressure, did I mention the pressure? The showers are free and the place is spotless. Well done Raetihi Holiday Park . I am impressed. Ohakune From Raetihi it is an easy drive to Ohakune to take a ride on the cycle track around the town, you can even get a shuttle up to Horopito and bike back into Ohakune. iSite staff assured me it is downhill most of the way, but I’ll take their word for it. We cruised around the riverside track and then stopped off at The Chocolate Éclair Shop for the biggest sweet treat ever. There are lots of cafes in Ohakune to suit every taste. It is an easy drive up to the Whakapapa ski field where there is nothing going on at this time of year but amazing views. Wanganui Lakeside was a perfect spot to base ourselves for some sightseeing around Wanganui, bike riding and paddle steaming, not to mention checking out the local cafés. ©2023 Angela Bryan From Raetihi it was on to Whanganui via SH4. We had been told about Lakelands Holiday Park on the shores of Lake Wiritoa on the outskirts of Whanganui. We were not disappointed, a lovely peaceful spot right on the shores of the lake and only a 10 minute drive into the city. A perfect spot to base ourselves for some sightseeing, bike riding and paddle steaming, not to mention checking out the local cafés. Mmmm that’s the second time I’ve mentioned cafés. When we’re away we feel some responsibility to contribute to the local economy so instead of going out for dinner, which can be a lottery when you don’t know the area, we have an early lunch at a café. This covers the morning coffee fix and keeps us going through until we are feet up with a cuppa and scones back at the caravan. Manawatu & CampFest After seeing Whanganui it was off to the Manawatu where we parked up at a friend’s place for a week while visiting friends and family in the area before heading to the CampFest at the Bulls Domain. This is a great free camping spot as well. I wasn’t sure what I had got myself into when I offered to help out at CampFest, but I must say it was one of the most enjoyable camping weekends we have ever had. Loads of chilled-out relaxed campers in every mode of camping you could think of and everyone generally had a great weekend. We will be back for next year to meet more of our fellow campers and make new friends. More on CampFest Cook Strait So it was off across Cook Strait to the South Island, the last sailing before all sailings were cancelled due to 11m swells. It wasn’t pleasant, but we got there. Canterbury On the mainland it was on to Canterbury for another family catch-up. We turned off at Amberley and took the scenic road through Rangiora and Oxford and down the southern side of the Waimakariri River. Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan There seemed to be lots of lovely spots that one could stop over for the night if the local freedom camping bylaws allow (we didn’t check as we were headed for family again). Have you ever stopped at Darfield? It is only 45 minutes out of Christchurch and on the main highway to the West Coast but it is well worth a stop. The best bakery around with a massive selection of pies, and loads of small crafty shops to browse around, and again, with a couple of lovely cafés. There’s a very easy cycle track and if you want to leave the village we found the local roads easy to navigate and there was not much traffic. But at some point we were biking into the wind — just as well our bikes have batteries. Hanmer Springs The DOC camp on the outskirts of Hanmer. ©2023 Angela Bryan From Canterbury it was back on the road up SH1 heading to Hanmer Springs to meet up with motorhoming friends. We arrived to a stunning sunny afternoon, 25 degrees, and parked up at the DOC camp on the outskirts of town. Nice flat spaces on the banks of a stream with a very serviceable toilet block (see picture in the slideshow), and sandflies, loads of sandflies. There is a very pretty forestry walking and bike track and even a bike skills park where you can test your balance abilities. Probably not on the e-bike. Over the next 24hrs the temperature plummeted to 2 degrees and by the time we left there was snow below the tree line. We drove through the Lewis Pass with light snow falling. Murchison The Buller river, from Lakeside Holiday Camp. ©2023 Angela Bryan Our plan for this trip was to see as much as we could of the Tasman area so we headed north, stopping off for a couple of nights at the Riverside Holiday Park in Murchison. The Maruia Falls, on the way, are well worth the stop for a short walk and there’s plenty of room to park up for a lunch break. Riverside Holiday Park is, as it says, right on the river. With a lovely walk through the Kahikatea Reserve right on the boundary of the Kahurangi National Park. ©2023 Angela Bryan It has a great communal kitchen area with a large deck looking out over the river, complete with couches and armchairs for just chilling out and relaxing. There is a jumping pillow to keep the kids happy and they have well laid out level sites, all with power and water right there. While in Murchison, a short drive up the Buller Gorge takes you to the longest swing bridge in NZ, very entertaining for those that have a head for heights. On the other side there is a bush walk to a 300yr old kahikatea and then you can take the flying fox back across the river. Tasman There is so much to see and do in the Tasman-Golden Bay area. Holiday parks galore and also loads of park over properties and places where you can freedom camp. There are the most amazing cycle trails. The Great Taste Trail goes from Nelson to Kaiteriteri, through the Motueka Valley to Tapawera and on to Belgrave, Wakefield and back into Richmond and Nelson. We conquered an easy ride through vineyards and into Richmond comfortably with a stop off for lunch to refuel. You could do more or less as the mood takes you. There is a plethora of tourist attractions in the area: a visit to the Classic Car Museum in Nelson and Hoglund Glass Blowing Studio ckw.nz/glass filled in a rainy afternoon for us. The Tasman area seems to have a township every 20 kilometres and there’s something to stop and see in every one of them. From downtown Nelson, Tahunanui, Stoke, Richmond, Hope, Brightwater, Wakefield — just loads to see and do. Wakefield has one of the best bakeries around with the famous Wakefield pies. Definitely worth a stop off. Then there is Appleby, Mapua, Ruby Bay and Rabbit Island. A detour off SH 60 via the Moutere Highway takes you to Upper Moutere Village, a visit here is a must. It is the home of the Moutere Inn, the oldest pub in New Zealand. Unfortunately it was closed for the two nights we were there so we didn’t get to check it out. But the village has some quaint shops, cafés and a really good fish and chip shop. On the western side of the Tasman area is Motueka, well worth a wander through the town. If you’re keen, you can cycle this whole area. Motueka also has the best dump station that we came across in our whole trip. Easily accessible from both directions for the biggest of vehicles and room for two vehicles to use it at the same time, plus a fresh water fill up. Golden Bay After not enough days in the Tasman area we headed west over the Takaka Hill. Now that is a hill. 257 corners, a lot of them hairpin. Unfortunately there is nowhere to stop and take photos of the amazing views when you are towing a caravan, but it is so beautiful. Cape Farewell ©2023 Angela Bryan We made our way through Takaka and Collingwood on to Pakawau where we based ourselves to visit Cape Farewell. There are tours that take you all the way out to the lighthouse on Farewell Spit but we decided to have a look around by ourselves for the day. Cape Farewell is a fairly impressive place but if you don’t like heights it is very unnerving. We decided to take a drive to Whanganui Inlet and perhaps go on to Mangarakau and see the West Coast. After an hour of driving on rutted, gravel road I felt like my bones were about to fall apart so we decided to turn around. Not a road I would drive again but the scenery is so worth it. It was back to camp and a nice long walk along Pakawau’s beach to relax. Anatoki Salmon Fishing and Café have a free camp area on the outskirts of Takaka. It is easily accessible and a large area for the biggest of rigs. This was a great base while we investigated the Takaka area with the added bonus that you can try your hand at fishing as well. They say fishing is about the vibes you send down the line, well we didn’t have the right energy flowing at all. No fish for us after a couple of hours of casting and reeling it back in. So time for a coffee and some lunch at the café and watch the people who stood just where we had been catch two fish in five minutes! Oh well, free entertainment; you only pay for what you catch, and they will smoke it for you as well. If you are in Takaka, The Wholemeal Café is well worth a visit or two, or three. It was recommended to us by fellow campers and it didn’t disappoint. One of the nicest cafés we visited on our trip, at least according to the other half. A stroll through the main street of Takaka, which is also the main highway, will fill in a good part of the afternoon, there are so many interesting shops to stop off and have a look at. The men might not agree, but hey… A short drive from Takaka is the Labyrinth Rocks . The outcrop of limestone rocks forms a labyrinth of paths that twist and turn and you never quite know where you will end up. Fun for all ages, just let the child inside free to imagine. The drive to Pohara, Tarakohe, Ligar Bay and Tata Beach is well worth it. You can stop off and visit the Abel Tasman Monument on the way which has amazing views of Golden Bay. At Port Tarakohe you can see where the road has been cut under the ancient rock formations. It was back over the mighty Takaka Hill into the Tasman area on Easter Friday, the traffic going to Takaka was bumper to bumper including a cyclist on the way down the hill — hope he had good brakes. Winblue Farm is a lovely park over property between Hope and Brightwater, quiet with free fruit from the gardens and within cycling distance of the Great Taste Trail if you are feeling like some exercise. Mapua Village is a quaint little village with quite a few boutique shops and art galleries, nice for a coffee and a wander. You can drive out to Kaiteriteri and around the bay to Split Apple Rock, or take a kayak tour via the water if you prefer. The rock sits just off a lovely secluded beach which is a 10 minute walk from the road, all downhill. Trouble with that is it is a long haul back uphill on the way out. You don’t realise how steep it is on the way down, but it is well worth the walk. Wairau Valley and Blenheim Departing Tasman we decided to take the long road to Blenheim via St Arnaud and the Wairau Valley. The scenery is just stunning, driving along the river and through the vineyards. Our park up for our last few nights in the South Island was at Spring Creek Holiday Park , a lovely park that has a creek running through it complete with friendly eels to feed. So much to do in Blenheim, a visit to the Omaka Aviation Museum is a must or on a Sunday you can grab a coffee and sit in the carpark and watch all the vintage planes come and go. If you’re lucky while you’re in Blenheim you might get to see the Passchendaele steam train ckw.nz/steam, we just happened upon it while we were visiting the iSite. According to locals it comes out for special occasions or if there is a cruise ship in port. Again there are some great cycle trails as well, through the vineyards and up into the hills. Port Underwood ©2023 Angela Bryan We took a drive out to Port Underwood and on to Picton from there. Now that is a road you don’t want to drive while towing the caravan, or in the motorhome. Thankfully we had some local advice and didn’t. It is only 60kms but takes the best part of two hours to drive. Must be one of the narrowest and windiest roads in the country, but when you get to the top the views are just astounding. It’s one of those roads that you are glad you drove, but you’ll never drive it again. So back north on Bluebridge’s Connemara and thankfully it was a pleasant sailing. Something we did on this trip that we’ve never done before was book a cabin on the ferry, both ways. It was well worth the $40 — on the rough sailing it was nice to have somewhere I could rest. We will definitely do it again, both the cabin and the trip. Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 5

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption pilgrimage to the Waitaki lakes Waitaki first day Gary Kircher, Mayor for Waitak Another pilgrimage to the Waitaki lakes this morning, marking the start to the camping season. ◊ ©2024 Gary Kircher, Mayor for Waitaki ckw.nz/fb-gary Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 11

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing 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

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Dogs at Knottingley ©2024 Linda Butler Making new friends at camp is fun! The dogs had visitors Linda Butler The dogs had visitors at Knottingly Park and Arboretum camp. Making new friends at camp is fun! All Points Camping at Knottingly Park, Waimate, January. ©2024 Linda Butler Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 5

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption fest-rythmn-alps1_H.webp Photo: Rythmn & Alps rhythmandalps.co.nz JUL Honouring the Driving Forces of Our Emergency Services To 31 August, Invercargill Look back in time and get up close and personal with our display of emergency services vehicles, the earliest being from the 1920s. Bill Richardson Transport World. Book at local campgrounds.
 transportworld.co.nz JUN JUL Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival 2024 Fri 21 Jun–14 Jul Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival is back for the 4th year to mark Puanga Matariki in the Bay of Islands and surrounds. Explore our programme of workshops, beautiful waiata, inspiring talks, feasts, star-gazing and family fun! Includes Waitangi Treaty Grounds open day, a film festival, and a dawn cruise. Book at local campgrounds. matarikinz.com JUN Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloon Glow and Laser Festival Sat 22 June, Methven Hot air Balloonists from all over Aotearoa will perform a tethered Hot Air Balloon Glow Show, with lasers light, coordinated by music. ckw.nz/methven JUL Greytown Festival of Christmas 2024 Sat 29 Jun–27 Jul A month long programme of spectacular lights, workshops, events, activities, night markets, parties, festive food, mulled wine and gin. Join the All Points Camping event, or stay at a local camp.
 greytownvillage.com JUL Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival 2024 Fri 5-21 Jul A range of free and ticketed events including live music, theatre, comedy, and so much more over the July school holidays. Activities and events for kids and adults alike. Book at local campgrounds. taupowinterfestival.co.nz JUL Winter Deco 2024 Fri 19–21 July, Napier A winter celebration buzzing with vintage cars, swinging jazz bars, and the heritage trail of light in Art Deco Napier. Book at local campgrounds. artdecofestival.co.nz NOV Nelson Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor Show Sat 9–10 Nov 2024 Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park, Nelson
Book your site at the holiday park. nelsonmotorhomeshow.co.nz DEC Rhythm & Alps 2023 Mon 30 Dec–1Jan, Wanaka A three-day music festival held in the picturesque Cardrona Valley between Queenstown and Wanaka. It’s a community, and a celebration of life, music, and camaraderie. Onsite camping.
 rhythmandalps.co.nz something for everyone Festivals Editor Honouring the Driving Forces of Our Emergency Services To 31 August, Invercargill Look back in time and get up close and personal with our display of emergency services vehicles, the earliest being from the 1920s. Bill Richardson Transport World. Book at local campgrounds. transportworld.co.nz Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival 2024 Fri 21 Jun–14 Jul Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival is back for the 4th year to mark Puanga Matariki in the Bay of Islands and surrounds. Explore a programme of workshops, beautiful waiata, inspiring talks, feasts, star-gazing and family fun! Includes Waitangi Treaty Grounds open day, a film festival, and a dawn cruise. Book at local campgrounds. matarikinz.com Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloon Glow and Laser Festival Sat 22 June, Methven Hot air Balloonists from all over Aotearoa will perform a tethered Hot Air Balloon Glow Show, with lasers light, coordinated by music. ckw.nz/methven Greytown Festival of Christmas 2024 Sat 29 Jun–27 Jul A month long programme of spectacular lights, workshops, events, activities, night markets, parties, festive food, mulled wine and gin. Join the All Points Camping event, or stay at a local camp. greytownvillage.com Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival 2024 A range of free and ticketed events including live music, theatre, comedy, and so much more over the July school holidays. Activities and events for kids and adults alike. Book at local campgrounds. taupowinterfestival.co.nz Winter Deco 2024 Fri 19–21 July, Napier A winter celebration buzzing with vintage cars, swinging jazz bars, and the heritage trail of light in Art Deco Napier. Book at local campgrounds. artdecofestival.co.nz Nelson Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor Show Sat 9–10 Nov 2024 Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park, NelsonBook your site at the holiday park. nelsonmotorhomeshow.co.nz Rhythm & Alps 2023 Mon 30 Dec–1Jan, Wanaka A three-day music festival held in the picturesque Cardrona Valley between Queenstown and Wanaka. It’s a community, and a celebration of life, music, and camaraderie. Onsite camping. rhythmandalps.co.nz Campfest 2025 Fri 21–23 Feb Bulls Domain, Rangitikei, NI Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 43

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Mystenterprises.com ©2024 Mystenterprises.com ©2024 Mystenterprises.com ©2024 Mystenterprises.com ©2024 Mystenterprises.com ©2024 Mystenterprises.com ©2024 Mystenterprises.com ©2024 Mystenterprises.com There were days when progress seemed impossible, and nights spent brainstorming solutions. A new cassette toilet for small spaces: The making of the BlackMOA™ Mustafa Pasha New Zealand recently rolled out new legislation requiring all freedom camping vehicles to be self-contained. This move, aimed at preserving Aotearoa’s pristine environment, posed a significant challenge for many campervan owners. Enter the BlackMOA™ Cassette Toilet — a product born out of necessity and crafted with passion, resilience, and expertise. The Challenge Many campervan enthusiasts found themselves in a bind. Existing toilets on the market were either too bulky, required expensive modifications, or were simply not practical. Recognising this gap, our dedicated team of Kiwis created a solution that would both comply with the new standards and do the job better. Our Visionaries The team behind the BlackMOA™ was a diverse group of innovators. Leading the project was an MBA graduate and a Lincoln University PhD specialising in system modelling. Their deep understanding of complex systems was crucial in designing an efficient and compact toilet. Alongside them was a seasoned U.K. engineering graduate and a dedicated team of engineers and manufacturing specialists from overseas. Our Journey Developing the toilet was anything but easy. The team faced countless challenges, from design setbacks to manufacturing hurdles. There were days when progress seemed impossible, and nights spent brainstorming solutions. Remarkably, they achieved in 25 days what was expected to take eight months to a year. Through sheer commitment and determination, we got the job done. The Innovation The BlackMOA™ has unique features: Front removal design: Allows for easy installation and removal, eliminating the need for costly modifications. Compact height: Fits seamlessly into existing spaces, making it ideal for retrofits. Capacity: 12L Cassette vent: provides an odour outlet for the cassette. The regulations required this to begin with, but it is now optional. The Triumph Months of relentless work, testing, and refining finally culminated in a product that was both functional and elegant. It quickly gained traction, earning praise from locals, certifiers, and manufacturers for its thoughtful design and reliability. Campervan owners appreciated the attention to detail and ease of use. More than 1,000 units have been pre-booked and sold. The Legacy What started as a response to a legislative challenge has transformed into a thriving opportunity, built on the values of innovation, resilience, customer-centric design, and most importantly, local need. ◼️ Explore More Read about the BlackMOA™ here: ckw.nz/black-moa on the Myst website. Myst is a bespoke sourcing & procurement platform. The Myst Enterprise team is always seeking new ways to improve and adapt their products to meet the evolving needs of their customers. Today, along with the Blackmoa™ Cassette Toilet, Myst Enterprise offers magnetic curtains, complete upholstery, and conversion kits, and Fix’n’Rail at low costs to save money for Kiwis. mystenterprise.com Images ©2024 Myst Enterprise Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 25

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Northland fire map Northland fire map Fire map on the website. The rules are different Before you light a fire DOC & NIWA Be aware of the risks of fires in forests, parks and rural areas. The rules are different in these areas compared to living and working in town. ckw.nz/fire-recreational Up-to-date weather observations and forecasts help you determine fire danger and safe behaviour. Check fireweather: fireweather.niwa.co.nz (Shown, below: Northland , 12 Mar) Keep a full bucket of water handy, as well as a fire extinguisher, if you light a fire. Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 25

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption 5th wheeler best in camp Marty Ireland Quinney’s Bush camp: ‘5th wheeler best in camp’. Marty Ireland Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 27

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mountains have their own fingerprints Outdoorsman Dave The mountains have their own fingerprints and by understanding what the contour lines represent, may help you to determine the terrain ahead of you or where you might actually be on a topographic 50 map next time you are lost! ©2023 Outdoorsman Dave facebook.com/outdoorsman.dave Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 38