1 Spring 2022 Our first night away in Scampi Up Hilary Cowburn Our first night away in Scampi. Apart from a rip in the brand new canvas, all is well and fun. At Camp Kekerengu. Hilary Cowburn. Photo ©2022 Hilary Cowburn Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS All is well and fun © Hilary Cowburn © Hilary Cowburn 1/1

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing What a difference a day makes Trevor Karton What a difference a day makes. 27 October 2024. ◊ ©2024 Trevor Karton Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 11

4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan Two Kids and a Caravan Up We’ve had heaps of people have asked us for feedback on our caravan and why we chose it so here it is. First up, we are a family of 4 and our caravan is a 2019 Swift Sprite Quattro EW from Nelson Caravans. Before we purchased the caravan we made a bit of a wish list. We knew that if it wasn’t easy we wouldn’t use it and our intentions were to get away every second week for 4/5 days (little did we know we’d end up travelling in it full-time). To make everyday life easy, we wanted beds for everyone as well as a space to sit and eat. We didn’t want to be making up beds every nap time and night or be forced to sit on the bed or outside once the kids went to bed. We wanted a full bathroom (not a combined toilet/shower). The Swift Sprite Quattro EW (which is a 6-berth caravan) ticked the boxes. It has a full bathroom at the back, French bed for us (double bed with the corner cut off), bunks for the girls (which can fold down into a 2 seater dinette), and wrap around lounge at the front (which can convert to another large queen-sized bed). You will have heard the rumours that “UK caravans aren’t built strong and aren’t designed for NZ roads” and honestly, every manufacturer has vans that let them down. We’ve travelled in our caravan for almost 4 years and taken it from Christchurch, up to Kaitaia, back down to Bluff and all around the South Island and it’s been perfect for us but here’s a deeper look into our pros and cons so far. PROS ✓ The van is well insulated, so it is far warmer in winter. It also comes standard with a great combined heating/hot water system which can run off 240v or LPG. ✓ Value for money — UK vans are cheaper than their Australian and American counterparts and we don’t feel like we’d get twice the enjoyment from a van twice the price. ✓ Lighter — our van comes in at 1380kg empty (but including fixed weights like the battery and full 9kg gas bottle etc) and fully laden up to 1800kg. (Although each van is different and some of the single axle vans have a smaller payload so it pays to check before you purchase). ✓ We love that it has a large comfy lounge at the front with views to outside. Similar sized Australian vans usually have a small L-shaped dinette because in their warmer climate you spend more of your time outside. ✓ Heaps of storage. When we check out other vans we love how sleek they can look, but our first comment is always “where do you put all your stuff” as they seem to lack overhead cabinets. We’ve heard of people moving from UK to Aus vans and having to donate half their stuff… not that that’s a bad thing. ✓ We can still fit into all campgrounds — while we’d love a big American caravan with all the pop-outs (really an apartment on wheels) it would double the running costs, limit places we can travel due to accessibility, and inhibit our ability to pick up our click and collect groceries on the way through a town and pack them straight into the fridge in the carpark. ✓ We purchased new and our caravan came with a full 3 year warranty as well as a 10 year water ingress warranty; as you might know, most catastrophic caravan issues originate from a water ingress. ✓ As with most new vans, we’ve had to iron out a few niggles and warranty claims and we’ve been impressed with Nelson Caravans’ after-sales service. We’ve heard of a few horror stories in the industry with retailers not wanting to come to the party so, as always, do your research. CONS ✘ They are narrower, so less living space inside, although it makes all the difference when towing it over a narrow bridge with a truck coming the other way. ✘ They’re very low for how long they are and caution needs to be taken coming in and out of driveways, especially supermarkets and fuel stations for some reason. We have scraped our stays quite a few times. ✘ We don’t take it on long gravel or rutted roads. For example we have taken it to Totaranui in the Abel Tasman no problem, but we decided against Moke Lake in the Queenstown district and just did a day trip instead. However in all our travels there’s only been a handful of places we haven’t taken it, and when we’ve visited we’ve seen other UK caravans there so… ✘ We only have a small fridge, however we’ve got so efficient at caravan life, we can still manage two weeks off-grid at a time. Other UK vans have a full fridge but sacrifice the number of beds. We would still choose it We’ve been around in circles and if we went through the process again taking into account layout, value for money, how fast we travel, accessibility to campgrounds, cheaper running costs (RUCs and fuel) and our 10 year water ingress warranty we’d still choose the Swift Sprite Quattro EW again. Our best advice when choosing a caravan is to make a list of your must-haves to make your day to day life easy and enjoyable and consider which aspects you‘re happy to compromise on and then go in search of the right van for you. P.S This is in no way a dig at any other caravans, we have a real passion for caravans and love looking through them all, it’s just our experience with our van and why it works for our family dynamics. facebook.com/twokidsandacaravan Up Up make a list of your must-haves to make your day to day life easy and enjoyable ©2023 twokidsandacaravan ©2023 twokidsandacaravan ©2023 twokidsandacaravan ©2023 twokidsandacaravan 1/8 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Longslip Station Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. ckw.nz/shellie-fb Longslip Station Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. ckw.nz/shellie-fb GO TO Autumn Gold Longslip Station Shellie Evans Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. ckw.nz/shellie-fb Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 9

Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption portable-power_H_river3-MNR_3004.webp GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE Extra backup power for low-solar days Portable power stations Miriam Richardson When you want that extra backup power for the low-solar days, or as an alternative to onboard solar and batteries for those who do short journeys, then portable power comes to the fore. These devices are charged by plugging in via a 240V wall socket, before you leave home, or at a campground, or a café or library. Some let you recharge via portable solar panels, or via the cigarette lighter while driving. At the small end of size, capacity and price are backup batteries for phones and other small devices that plug in via USB. They might recharge your phone a few times, and cost between $60 and $200 —more cost generally means more juice. At the larger end of portable power are the “power stations” costing from $400 to $8k. What makes a thing a power station is having a three-pin plug socket so you can plug in 240V appliances such as we use at home, such as computers, tablets, modem, a stick mixer, lights, radio, stereo, speakers, bike battery, printer, or a mattress pump. note: Power stations are rarely big enough for appliances that need heat, such as hairdryers or kettles. How much power do you need? How many days do you need to go between charges? Add up your devices. Check the fine print on the bottom or back of the appliance for its power need, usually in Watts. Some devices, like a fridge, start with a huge gulp of power (a ‘surge’) which can be 2x the normal draw; your device has to be able to accept that surge. Choosing your backup power: 🔹 Battery size (Watt hours (Wh) or Amp hours (Ah or mAh). 🔹 How much power can it deliver (Watts or Amps)? 🔹 How much can it deliver in an initial surge (Watts)? 🔹 How long does it take to recharge? 🔹 How can it be recharged? Here are 3 people’s experience. Rovin 600W Robyn Warrendass I have a Rovin 600W portable power station to run my laptop that has two extra screens (3 screens altogether), so it uses more power than a normal laptop. I work from home and in the camper, so the Rovin goes with us. Lately I have had to use it at home as we have had several all day power outages and having the power station meant I could plug in my laptop, and the wifi, and keep working. This kept me going all day without any problems and recharging doesn’t take too long. I guess this can be used for many things, but for me it keeps me being able to do my job on and off the road uninterrupted. It can be charged at the wall or with solar (240W max). It takes just under 2hrs to charge. Rovin 500W, 50Ah Gary Stoneley After 3 years our Rovin 500W, 50Ah portable power supply (from Jaycar) is still going strong. The battery still holds at 100% after being stored for 2 months. Purchased for providing portable power at club events and markets, the power supply can easily run laptops, modems and eftpos machines and a small printer. With 230V AC, 12 volt and usb outlets it’s been invaluable. Our needs have changed and we now use it with power cuts at home, and to run a spare fridge or a back up for the computers when on the road whether it’s in the car or the caravan. 50Ah of power isn’t a lot but the power is there when you need it and it’s quieter than a generator for those emergency top-ups. Would I recommend having one? Too right I would! It’s on my essential equipment list. ChargeTech 350W to EcoFlow River 3, 300W Miriam Richardson My original Charge Tech power station (below left) was bought 8 years ago from Canada. It was one of the first portable batteries that had a 3-pin-plug outlet. I got it when I first moved into my motorhome full time, as I needed backup power for my laptop. It was 54Ah, could give up to 350W output. It was a really good small size. Its biggest downside was that it took 8hrs+ to recharge — that is a long time sitting in the library making sure no-one else walks off with it. I just checked their website and their newer models still take 4 hours to charge. At 8yrs old, it isn’t holding its charge very well, so it was time to replace it. Behold the EcoRiver 3 (below, middle). The ChargeTech power station My new power station is a River 3 from Ecoflow I have gone from 56Ah to 76Ah; 150W output to 300W; 8hr charge to 1hr charge. It is heavy, at 3.5kg, but small, about the size of 2 loaves of bread, and has a very elegant design and is whisper-quiet. 300W (600W surge; 600W boost) output, 76.8Ah battery. You can use the 3-pin plug (AC), a cigarette lighter plug, a usb-a (x2) or usb-c output. It only takes 1hr to charge when it is plugged in to the wall or a generator. You can also charge it via your vehicle cigarette lighter (2.8hr) or with solar panels (2.6hr; 30V max, 110W max). They claim the battery will still hold 80% after 10 years. 🏕️ Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 25

Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption summ-kekerengu-H-cara-train.jpg GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE The temptation was too much The Camping Train Linda Butler A short notice decision was made to hold a camping train as there were 3 events being held during March at Havelock, Nelson and Greymouth. The temptation was too much for me, so we decided to give it a go. We called each destination a station just for fun. It was early March. One other member (Angela) joined us for the entire trip. We left home on the Tuesday prior to the Havelock camp. Julie was able to share the first two nights with us. One was spent at the Parnassus NZMCA camp, the next at Conway Flats beside the sea. (Yes, got to see some dolphins jumping and playing in the surf!). We said our goodbyes to Julie and travelled along the coast. We were uncertain of where to stop but decided on Kekerengu. We were thrilled to meet up with Carolyn here on her return home from her holidays. Friday, we continued to our club event destination at Waves Campground for the Havelock Mussel Festival camp. None of us were mussel eaters but were happy to enjoy the Blenheim team chatter over the weekend. Too soon it was Monday and time to move on. There were a number of options available, but we decided on Okiwi Bay. Oh wow. We loved it so much that we stayed for 4 nights. I highly recommend the Mail Run out to French Pass. We went into many little bays along the way. The road went from sealed to gravel to almost dirt! The scenery along the way is amazing. Our driver was knowledgeable about the area and also the fauna, almost sharing in Angela’s passion for foraging. We had lunch at French Pass and watched the stingray before the return to camp. Filled in most of the day. Not bad for $35. Time to move on again, we sadly left this stunning area and headed for Tahuna Beach Holiday Park where we met up with the team from Nelson! A member left their coffee cup with us in Ashburton. So we are taking it with us on our camping train. Here it is at the Tahuna camp café, with friends. Angela enjoyed catching up with old friends who lived in the area. We had coffees at the camp café — they do some scrumptious nibbles. I’ll never forget the Saturday evening meal at the Pirate Pub known as the Smugglers Pub and Café: fun atmosphere there. Washing was done; groceries topped up. Too soon the weekend was over. Time to move on. We travelled down the West Coast. Our first night was at the Kohatu Flat Rock Café. There is a grassed area at the back on the left where we perched on our chairs in the shade of the trees. It was so hot. I didn’t scream when I saw a rat run down a young tree. Thankfully it took off into the bushes. LOL. From here we went to Murchison NZMCA camp via St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti. We were amazed at the eels! They live under the boat ramp. 200 years old! It poured with rain in Murchison. West Coast pour — for hours… Here I learnt that I need to think of rainy-day activities for those times we get such long periods of inactivity. Murchison We were here for two wet nights. Tony and Lynn joined up with us here and continued with us on the rest of the journey. Angela stayed a 3rd night at Murchison, whereas we moved on to the Fox River freedom camp. We were very near the road but there was little traffic at night. We also happened to be camping on the night that the muso’s had their weekly Wednesday jamming night. I slept through most of it. LOL. Once in Greymouth we thought we would brave it and stay at Cobden Bridge freedom camp for the night. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We topped up on groceries again then headed to our final camp. Nelson Creek Reserve. What an awesome spot. (Nelson Creek photos ©2025 Penny Coleman) The Greymouth crew treated us to open fires, fossicking, metal detecting, bush walks and more. What a good way to finish our 3-week-plus journey. We went home with dirty washing, weary, but smiles on our faces and good memories to store away (and share at a future camp). 🏕️ Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 30

1 Spring 2022 Roady: The new App on the block Up Roady The Roady App gives you access to local travel knowledge and makes it easy to plan epic New Zealand trips. Discover NZ’s best things to do, create bucket lists and tick off experiences as you travel the country. PHOTO: ©2022 Roady Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Create your bucket lists and tick them off. The Roady App The Roady App 1/1

Winter doesn’t mean the end of camping adventures! Instagram BUY PDF CONTENTS Spring 2023 ISSUE 5 Up Winter adventures Shoshanna Shand Winter doesn’t mean the end of camping adventures! Instagram ©2023 shoshannah.nz Up Up Up 1/0

7 Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption celebrate-tokomaru-10.jpg Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay celebrate-tokomaru-13.jpg Tokomaru Bay Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay So many cool old buildings and structures. Reminders of its busy past. It was great exploring all the old ruins. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay So many cool old buildings and structures. Reminders of its busy past. It was great exploring all the old ruins. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay So many cool old buildings and structures. Reminders of its busy past. It was great exploring all the old ruins. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay So many cool old buildings and structures. Reminders of its busy past. It was great exploring all the old ruins. ©2024 Greg Lokes Tokomaru Bay I was lucky to be allowed to photograph an old abandoned house just behind our camp. ©2024 Greg Lokes We had a great stay at Tokomaru Bay Greg Lokes Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. So many cool old buildings and structures. Reminders of its busy past. It was great exploring all the old ruins and I was lucky to be allowed to photograph an old abandoned house just behind our camp. Of course the East Cape sunrises didn’t disappoint either. ©2024 Greg Lokes. At Tokomaru Bay, Gisborne District Council freedom site. Free permit required summer only. GO TO Celebrating Summer the East Cape sunrises didn’t disappoint Free camping with a non-fixed toilet. Impossible after law changes. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 13 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

7 Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Sign at a Kaokoura freedom camping space. Found on Facebook Sign at a Kaokoura freedom camping space. Found on Facebook Generral guidelines The Kaikoura Council website. Kaikoura Responsible Camping Bylaw enforcement The Kaikoura Council website. Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West Miriam Richardson Why stick to the law if you can get away with whatever takes your fancy? In Kaikōura, the council states on their website that “Fines can be issued for” “not allowing an enforcement officer’s inspection” †. Kaikōura District Council, Responsible Camping Accessed 5/3/24 The Freedom Camping Act 2011 does not have an offence called “not allowing an enforcement officer’s inspection” ‡ and the council cannot make up a new offence and then impose a fine for it. The Freedom Camping Act 2011 requires that a warrant card is displayed which is the prima facie evidence that the vehicle is compliant. An enforcement officer has no legal power to search or inspect a vehicle for any reason . Even the police can only inspect a vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to believe it contains evidence of a crime punishable by a prison term of 14 years. The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, section 21 states very clearly “ Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search…* But, hey, this is the freedom camping Wild West. I wonder what appears on the documentation of the enforcement officers in Kaikōura? Every enforcement officer must show, when asked, evidence of their appointment, which must show “the responsibilities and powers that the person has under the Act” and “the infringement and other offences in relation to which the person is appointed” (Section 34 ‡ ). Has the Kaikōura District Council added to this documentation their new offence, the one not included in the Act, “not allowing an enforcement officer’s inspection”? Why are they doing this? The Kaikōura District Council has created a bylaw § with a variation on the definition of self-containment, such that inspecting the warrant and the self-containment certificate does not satisfy them † . Only by conducting an illegal search can the Kaikoura District Council enforcement officers ascertain if their bylaw variation on the concept of self-containment is satisfied. In NZ law, evidence gathered during an un-consented search cannot (or only rarely) be used. But in Kaikōura they believe they can use both what they find in an illegal search and a refusal to consent to an illegal search as evidence to fine people $400. Do the freedom campers consent to the search? It seems both the Council and the enforcement officer are asserting a legal power to search any freedom camper in their district. When the Council says ‘I will fine you if you don’t allow it,’ it is better described as ‘coercion’, rather than ‘consent.’ This likely makes all resulting fines illegal. Is the cost of a fine less than talking to a lawyer? Probably. The Council is targeting smaller vehicles and poorer citizens, those less able to access legal support, so they probably feel pretty comfortable that they will not be challenged in Court. Who polices the enforcers? If you keep your aim on just poor people: nobody. It’s the Wild West on the beautiful east coast of the South Island. † Kaikōura District Council, Responsible Camping Accessed 5/3/24 § Kaikōura Responsible Freedom Camping Bylaw 2019, amended Dec 2023 the PDF* Bill of Rights Act 1990 ‡ Freedom Camping Act 2011 Articles in this issue on the freedom camping law changes: Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system (p2) Editorial (p3) Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours? (p6) So you want to freedom camp (p8) What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? (p10) Enforcement of freedom camping rules (p12) I am not freedom camping' cards (p14) Do your bit: Task of the week (p16) No more freedom camping (p16) Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West (p18) Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health (p20) 7 days a week (p21) Celebrating Summer (p5) GO TO Celebrating Summer targeting smaller vehicles and poorer citizens Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 18 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Dickson Holiday Park For Auckland campers Dickson Holiday Park Dickson Holiday Park Opoutere Coastal Camping For Auckland campers Opoutere Coastal Camping Wentworth Valley Camping Ground For Auckland campers Wentworth Valley Camping Ground Paeroa RV Centre Waikato For Auckland campers Ruapuke Motor Camp For Hamilton campers Ruapuke Motor Camp Bowentown Beach Holiday Park For Hamilton campers All Seasons Holiday Park For Hamilton campers Lakes Ranch For Hamilton campers For Hamilton campers Dudding Lake For Wellington Campers Hydrabad Holiday Park Waiterere For Wellington Campers Ashhurst Domain Campground For Wellington Campers Eketahuna Motor Camp For Wellington Campers Ekatahuna Ashley Gorge Holiday Park For Christchurch campers Kowai Pass Campground For Christchurch campers Kowai Pass Campground Pines Holiday Park Hanmer For Christchurch campers Mt Somers Domain For Christchurch campers It’s nice to have a backstop for a first adventure. STOP and STAY City dwellers: your first camp away: Stop and Stay Stop and Stay What makes a good first camp for new campers? My guesses are: away from home but not too far — two hours max. Kind about forgotten things — shop nearby, alternative shelter. Kind about not getting all the gear working right — access to a kitchen, to a bed (collapsing air bed?), shelter (missing poles, ropes or pegs? We are all too cold?). Kind about choosing a spot (easy to get in and out, no getting bogged, flooded or blown away). Commercial campgrounds have all or most of these, which is a good failsafe for a first adventure. Some camps have shops, or there are shops nearby. Most have playgrounds, most allow dogs. All of these sites allow tents as well as vans, campervans, motorhomes, caravans. Discount key: apc: All Points Camping Club; nzmca: NZ Motor Caravan Association Jump to your city: Auckland | Hamilton | Wellington | Christchurch | Dunedin Auckland campers Dickson Holiday Park 1.5hr drive Thames apc and nzmca discount small shop on-site dogs are generally welcome; on-lead. Thames: drive 6min, bike 14min. bike-friendly dicksonpark.co.nz Opoutere Coastal Camping Coromandel 2hr drive opens mid October apc and nzmca discount shop on-site no dogs Whangamatā: drive 20min. opouterebeach.co.nz Wentworth Valley Camping Ground, Whangamatā 2.25hr drive dogs allowed no kitchen or rubbish no open fires /charcoal BBQ gravel road and a ford Whangamatā: drive 12min. wentworthvalleycamp.co.nz Paeroa RV Centre, Waikato 1.5hr drive apc and nzmca discount in the town device charging paeroamotorhomepark.co.nz Hamilton campers Ruapuke Motor Camp, Raglan 1hr drive Raglan dog friendly ruapukemotorcamp.co.nz Bowentown Beach Holiday Park, Waihi 1.5hr drive BOP apc discount dog friendly Waihi Beach: drive 10min, bike 24min. Waihi: 19min. bowentown.co.nz All Seasons Holiday Park, Rotorua 1.75hr drive Rotorua apc and nzmca discount dog friendly town: drive 14min, bike 29min. allseasonsrotorua.co.nz Lakes Ranch, Rotorua 1.75hr drive Rotorua apc discount Rotorua: drive 22min. lakesranch.org.nz Wellington campers Dudding Lake, Marton 2.5hr drive Rangitikei dog friendly Marton: drive 12min, bike 37min. Wanganui: 20min. duddinglake.nz Hydrabad Holiday Park Waiterere, Horowhenua 1.5hr drive beach: walk 5min. (there is a sister site closer to the beach) waitarerebeachcamps.co.nz Ashhurst Domain Campground, Manawatu 2hr drive Manawatu dog friendly Ashhurst: drive 4min, bike 8min, walk 28min. ckw.nz/ashhurst Eketahuna Motor Camp, Wairarapa 2hr drive Wairarapa dog friendly town: bike 5min, walk 15min. eketahunacamp.com Christchurch campers Ashley Gorge Holiday Park, Oxford 1hr drive Nth Canterbury apc discount pet friendly options small shop onsite Oxford: drive 9min, bike 26min. agkhp.co.nz Kowai Pass Campground, Springfield 1hr drive Springfield dog friendly Springfield: 2min, walk16min, bike 4min ckw.nz/kowai-pass Pines Holiday Park, Hanmer 1.75hr drive dog friendly options Hot pools: walk 16min, bike 4min. pinesholidaypark.co.nz Mt Somers Domain 1.25hr drive pets by arrangement, on leads. in the township mountsomers.co.nz more Dunedin campers Knottingley Park& Arboretum, Waimate 2hr drive Waimate dog friendly Waimate: drive 4min;cycle 7min, walk 36min. ckw.nz/knottingley Naseby Holiday Park 1.5hr drive Otago Naseby: walk 10min, bike 4min. nasebyhp.nz more Glenavy’s Waitaki River Motor Camp, Oamaru 1.75hr drive Sth Canterbury pet friendly local shops and hotel; Oamaru: drive 15min. waitakimotorcamp.co.nz ◼️ Photos from the campground websites. Copyright belongs with them. Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 34

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Bivvy Who is advocating for New Zealanders who go camping? Miriam Richardson There are three national groups that speak to government and councils on behalf of New Zealand campers: the All Points Camping Club of NZ, the NZ Motorcaravan Association (NZMCA) , and the Responsible Campers Association. Each of these has a different approach. The All Points Camping Club of NZ The All Points Camping Club supports all forms of camping in New Zealand. Their focus is on New Zealanders getting out and enjoying their country. They support tents, poptops, teardrops, tramping, motorhomes, vans, roof-top tents, car camping: if you can camp in or with it, they support it. They also support Leave no trace and Tiaki: Care for New Zealand : taking care of the environment in which we camp is as important as any vehicle certification. They host family camps, see the Events section for the camps currently on the calendar. Their membership is very much smaller than NZMCA, but it is much broader, as it includes campers other than those with motor caravans. The club is run by volunteers. The All Points Camping Club is associated with NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd, which has a network of certification officers through the country (see the business section). All Points also participated in the talks with the government while the law was being drafted and continues to work with the government’s agents who are attempting to bring the current inadequate law into force with the new form of self-containment. Many volunteer hours are called for. The Responsible Campers Association The Responsible Campers Association places the onus on the people, not the mode of camping, it is, after all, people who are either responsible or not, regardless of the facilities their vehicle has. They offer education, a test, and a certificate for individuals to prove they understand self-containment. This approach has, sadly, gained little traction with government or councils. The NZ Motorcaravan Association The NZMCA is primarily concerned with the needs of its members. It has strongly advocated for vehicle certification for self-containment, and has a national group of volunteer officers carrying out the certification checks. With over 100,000 members, NZMCA has a big voice with government and councils, it participated as the new laws were considered and participates now as they are being enacted. It continues to support the use of portable toilets and is now changing its own rules to allow members with portable toilets to still use their parks. With a big membership and relatively high annual fees, it is a wealthy club and as well as volunteer board members has a team of people employed who work alongside the board to do this advocacy work. NZMCA members have four advantages not shared by the wider camping public: (1) they mostly have larger vehicles that can accommodate fixed toilets, (2) they are better off, (3) they have a network of parks around the country, and (4) they have enough members to get big discounts at the Department of Conservation campsites. This means NZMCA members are much less restricted if they are barred from using freedom camps. NZMCA does speak on behalf of the wider camping public, but their primary focus is the needs of their members. So, those are the three organisational voices talking with government. There are other camping groups supporting their members to camp; there are others with campsites their members can share. But there are only these three engaging with the government on behalf of New Zealanders who camp. Fishing. ©2023 Darkmoon Angler Johnson Making your voice heard Do you want the government to listen to your needs as a New Zealander who camps? Make your voice heard with the NZMCA if you are a member. Throw your support behind the All Points Camping Club and get a voice for all campers heard by government. Do both. Talk to your local politicians about the impact of the new laws on your camping experience, and on your enjoyment of our country. The better they understand, the better their decision-making can be. “What do you get when you join the All Points Camping Club?” someone asked this month. They were thinking discounts, campsites, camping events. And yes, the club offers those too. But the biggest thing you get, that you cant get anywhere else, is a voice talking to the government on behalf of all campers. If you want campers’ voices heard, join up. Its priceless. Well, membership has a cost, $35, but it is a very small price for the work these volunteers do on our behalf. Add your support: join up. From Northland to Southland and All Points in between “What do you get when you join All Points Camping?” he asked. You get a voice (as well as the other things) 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 6 Summer 2023 , p 10