Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF CONTENTS Issue 10, Summer 2024 Cover image: Waiorongomai Valley ©2024 Greg Lokes Editorial Come Camping Stop and Stay Contribute About TESTING DYNAMIC ISSUE 10 Table of contents Double-digit highways Next SH 32/41, West of Lake Taupo Next SH45 The Surf Coast Highway, Te Ika a Maui North Island Next SH60 Richmond to Collingwood, Tasman Next Butchers Dam aurora Next We got bogged: “Because it’d be funner,” he said Next And people wonder why I like camping Next Springing Next What a difference a day makes Next Waitaki first day Next Ōtaki Rivermouth Next NIWA summer forecast Next Camp Fest ‘25 Next All roads lead to Camp Fest Next I really like the Waiouru Army Museum Next Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer Next Freedom camping news Next Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are valid? Next But I am not freedom camping… Next A roof-top tent Next Revolutionizing Kiwi camping with Fix’n’Rail Next What is out there Next This is the summer to visit Queenstown Next The Wairau Next Getting your camping vehicle certified Next Dealing with a caravan flat Next Sunday morning caravan Lego Next Old Blue Next Kea attack Next First time out with my new tent Next Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Next Temple Stream Next Marfells Beach Next Exploring Clandyboye Next Being able to get out into nature Next Making camping more accessible for everyone Next Caravan tales Next Dannevirke Holiday Park is making its facilities more accessible Next What a view to wake up to Next Danseys Pass Next From rugby to pets — How Covid19 started the tail wagging on HELPP VET Next Pippa in the hammock Next Planning to camp with your pet? Resources Next My day at the Ellesmere A&P Show Next The Slow Road Next My day at Ferrymead Next NZ Cheese Festival Next A long weekend on the Waikato River Next Safe toilet chemicals Next The fairy forest walk Next Teeming at Terako Downs Next Terako Downs entrance Next Up, up the Waiorongomai Valley Next Favourite and quick camping meals Next Alice cooking dinner on the BBQ Next Heating a pie Next Ordinary cycle Next Fishing in the snow Next Trying out my new quilt Next GAME: DOC campsites 4: Lower North Island Next HOBBIES: Disc golf Next Stop and Stay: City dwellers: 2nd camp: more adventurous Next Lake Poaka Next Rays Rest Next DOC update Next Uretiti Next King’s Birthday camp at Kekerengu Next Foxton Beach Next Three nights at Conway Flats Next Fantastic time at the Onearo campground Next Come camping Next Festivals Next The All Points Camping Club of NZ Next A summer of content: editorial Next Councils & Government Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer Read But I am not freedom camping… Read This is the summer to visit Queenstown Read Getting your camping vehicle certified Read Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Read Being able to get out into nature Read Making camping more accessible for everyone Read Dannevirke Holiday Park is making its facilities more accessible Read Safe toilet chemicals Read A summer of content: editorial Read Self-containment & Freedom Camping Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer Read Freedom camping news Read Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are valid? Read But I am not freedom camping… Read This is the summer to visit Queenstown Read Getting your camping vehicle certified Read Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Read Being able to get out into nature Read Making camping more accessible for everyone Read Caravan tales Read Safe toilet chemicals Read View More

Autumn 2023 ISSUE 3 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption The Tautuku Hut ©2023 Kayla Laatz Arriving at the hut. ©2023 Kayla Laatz From admiring the golden treetops at sunset, to listening to the sound of the nearby Tautuku River, the crackling sounds of the fire and the drops of rain hitting the roof — it was a nature lover’s paradise. ©2023 Kayla Laatz We picked this as our first overnight tramp with our babies Tautuku Hut Track: Family-friendly tramping in the Catlins Kayla Laatz Tautuku Hut is a lesser-known DOC hut in the Catlins. Starting from the same car park as McLean Falls, the Tautuku Hut Track is short and sweet, making it a great first overnight tramp for families. Taking the detour to McLean Falls adds an additional half hour / 1.5 km of walking — definitely worth it! The Tautuku Hut Track is short and sweet Myself and another mama picked this as our first overnight tramp with our babies. With at least 15 to 20 kg on each of our backs, we tramped 10 kilometres across two days. It was the peak of summer, and this was the perfect introductory tramp for us. Overall, the trail was super easy to follow as long as we kept our eyes set on the orange triangle markers along the way. Soon after starting the walk, we entered a dense forest filled with kamahi, rata, and podocarp. On the mossy ground we spotted lots of mushrooms and there are beautiful ferns along the way too. Right off the bat, we faced a steep uphill climb lasting for just over an hour. It was a killer lower-body workout, especially with a big pack and a toddler on your back. We were fully shaded the entire time, but it got really hot and humid, as there was very little air flow amongst the trees. Lots of snack breaks helped us and the wee ones to happily (and sweatily) power through. There were two fallen trees on the track which we had to crawl under on our hands and knees. If you aren’t juggling a pack and a baby at the same time, you’ll probably get away with just crouching down real low. But for us, it was a tight squeeze with a baby in front and a big pack on the back. There’s also a handful of large trees to climb over, but most of the track you’re just stepping over the occasional tree root so it’s no big deal. It recently rained, so we faced a lot of muddy sections along the way. Some have dry paths going around, others give you no choice but to cross through the middle. Ankle deep mud at the worst though, which wouldn’t be a problem for those wearing ankle-high boots. After nearly an hour and a half of climbing, we were relieved the track flattened out a bit more as we reached the top of the mountain. Between the trees we saw a small sliver of a view overlooking some of the other mountains in the Catlins Forest Park. From there it was a quick breeze to the Tautuku hut. The track actually went slightly downhill for 15 minutes before we arrived at the open, grassy clearing that the hut sits in. Tautuku hut is a standard, non-serviced DOC hut that is completely free to stay at. There’s no booking in advance, it’s first come first served. A lot of hunters stay here, which was made clear by the machete, animal skull and hunting gun holder we found inside the hut. I later learned that the Tautuku mountains house lots of red deer, pigs and goats. The hut itself is a one bedroom shack that was previously a garage donated to DOC, and recently renovated to include a covered wooden deck and long drop toilet! There are 4 wooden bunks and mattresses along with a few basic cooking supplies such as pots, pans, a can opener etc. The deck makes for a cute wee dining area complete with two seats and a table. It’s a lovely spot to watch the sunrise or sunset while sipping on a cuppa. Outside, the Tautuku River is just a minute’s walk away. It’s shallow but with a constant flow. Signs in the hut say the rain water collected is clean and does not need to be treated before drinking but all we found was an open-top barrel with floaties in it, so we decided to boil water from the stream instead. Around the corner there’s a fire ring with tree trunks for seats. Dry wood is stacked underneath the deck. Outside, the Tautuku River is just a minute’s walk away. It’s shallow but with a constant flow. Signs in the hut say the rain water collected is clean and does not need to be treated before drinking but all we found was an open-top barrel with floaties in it, so we decided to boil water from the stream instead. Around the corner there’s a fire ring with tree trunks for seats. Dry wood is stacked underneath the deck. From admiring the golden treetops at sunset, to listening to the sound of the nearby Tautuku River, the crackling sounds of the fire and the drops of rain hitting the roof — it was a nature lover’s paradise. I rocked my little boy to sleep that night in one of the most peaceful places we have ever been together After a long day of playing and exploring, I rocked my little boy to sleep that night in one of the most peaceful places we have ever been together. Until the next adventure at least! Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 9 km Trail Type: Out-and-back Elevation Gain: 350 meters Time: 3 hr 30 min Hut Coordinates: 
46°33'13.5"S 169°19'29.8"E Mountain Mamas NZ is an online community of New Zealand based mamas with a love of the great outdoors. mountainmamasnz.com instagram.com/mountainmamasnz 
 facebook.com/mountainmamasnz See Mountain Mamas NZ group story Photos ©2023 Kayla Laatz Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 5

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Fishing in the snow Shellie Evans Fishing in the snow. Ohau B canal. Spring. ©2024 Shellie Evans Photography ckw.nz/shellie-fb Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 17

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Kina Beach and campground Kina Beach ©2024 Miriam Richardson Kina Beach ©2024 Miriam Richardson McKee's Reserve ©2024 Miriam Richardson McKees Reserve ©2024 Miriam Richardson Timing lights on the Takaka Hill ©2024 Miriam Richardson Limestone on the Takaka Hill Hawke's. ©2024 Miriam Richardson Takaka. Watercolour. ©2024 David Liddall Labyrinth Rocks ©2024 Miriam Richardson Port Tarakohe ©2024 Miriam Richardson Collingwood estuary ©2024 Miriam Richardson The perfect omelette pan ©2024 Miriam Richardson Collingwood picnic spot ©2024 Miriam Richardson Farewell Spit lighthouse ©2024 Miriam Richardson GO TO Springing Google says it is a 2 hour drive! 2 hours! Take a month! SH60 Richmond to Collingwood, Tasman SH60 begins in Richmond, travels through Motueka and Takaka and ends after 117km at Collingwood. Richmond is a great little town/suburb south of Nelson, with a complete range of shops, good opshops, a really friendly place to get your COF/WOF, a truck stop, two campgrounds, and a dump station. After driving through the orchards, we slip off the highway to Māpua, a cute seaside village on Ruby Bay. Dont miss the Interactive Wooden Art Gallery which is full of fascinations. Beyond Māpua is the wonderful McKee Memorial Reserve (above & right), a camping reserve between the hill and the shore. You dont need to be self-contained as there are toilets, showers, and a dump station. It’s not free, but low cost. Kina Beach Kina Beach Heading to reunite with SH60, instead, turn-off to Kina Beach, another small campground on the sea. There are toilets, so no need to be self-contained. It’s a lovely stop worth at least a couple of nights. Then we head on to get back to SH60 and on to Motueka. Motueka There are two freedom camps in Motueka, both in alcohol ban areas, one in the town centre, one by the sea. There are not nearly as many parks as there are freedom campers, but there are also two campgrounds. Motueka has a great range of shops, and opshops, and an excellent dump station. There are two camping spots beyond Motueka, both require self-containment, one low cost (Riwaka Hotel) and one free, Riwaka Valley. Instead of heading for the big Tākaka hill, you can turn off SH60 to go to Kaiteriteri and Mārahau, both with campgrounds, spectacular beaches, and easy access to the Abel Tasman National Park. Takaka Hill The Tākaka Hill is an entity in its own right. It is the only ground access to Golden Bay, it is steep and windy, and the weather often closes it. When I was there a long stretch was one way with timing lights taking some of the frustration out of the wait. The hill is limestone, there are caves (costs to enter) and there is a free camping spot most of the way up the Motueka side of the hill, Hawke’s Lookout, easier for shorter vehicles than longer ones. There is a great walk to the lookout, and you get to see the sculpted limestone up close. Over the top of the hill its a long slope down into Golden Bay — lovely views, if you are a passenger, lovely glimpses of you are driving. Golden Bay reminds me of 1960s NZ, it’s not all spiffed-up and moneyed like the Motueka side. Tākaka Tākaka is the main town in the bay. There is a free camp in the town car park (leave by 7am!), a dump station, and water from the petrol station (for a donation). Takaka bike shop painting above by David Liddall. It’s a central hub for some lovely adventures: Te Waikoropupū Springs, and the original Pupu hydro power station and its walkway, further up the valley. Labyrinth Rocks (especially good on a hot day), Port Tarakohe with its spectacular views (take your tea and watch the sundown), Wainui Falls and Wainui Bay for a day trip, and over the hills beyond is Tōtaranui, and the northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park. Continuing on SH60, the bay is a beautiful green rural area, with views over the sea from the high spots. There are not many freedom camps, but there’s a campground before the Parapara Inlet, and another at Collingwood itself where SH60 ends. Collingwood Collingwood is another small village, with a pub, a grocery and hardware shop, a first/secondhand shop which is “open if we are not closed, 11am to 4pm”. I got my perfect, new, cast-iron omelette pan from this shop. It is a beautiful spot, with stunning picnic spots as well as a lovely campground. Collingwood is a great base for adventures beyond. The Pākawau Campground, Whanganui Inlet (its the west coast, some free camping spots, narrow roads and causeways; no exit), Wharariki Campground, also on the west coast, beyond the entrance to Pūponga Farm and Cape Farewell. Farewell Spit has a visitor centre/cafe and you can walk from there to the beaches, but it is a fair hike. To get a real look you need to take a tour which gets you beyond the public boundaries as far as the lighthouse, far out at the end of the spit. Day tours are run out of Collingwood, picking up people along the way. The lighthouse Take a month SH60: you could do it in a day. Google says it is a 2 hour drive! 2 hours! Take a month! Plenty to see and do, and lovely every bit of the way. ◊ Photos ©2024 Miriam Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 7

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

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

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption One hundred nights a year Andrew Morton I am on track with my original goal of 100 nights away per year and mountain bike as much as I can in other regions. I just hit 3,000km on my mountain biking tally (non ebike!), 200 nights tonight in 20 months. I am marking the occasion with other teardrops at Orton Bradley Park on Lyttleton Harbour. I got a ‘healthy camper’ check done in Christchurch, having hauled it 15,000km so far. It passed with flying colours, and I look forward to many more trips. Images ©2023 Andrew Morton Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 4

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption © 2022 Allan Henderson Wairarapa Coast We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline. © 2022 Allan Henderson Wairarapa Coast We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline. © 2022 Allan Henderson Wairarapa Coast I’m standing in our doorway; its about 3m to the water © 2022 Allan Henderson Parked up on the Wairarapa Coast We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline. © 2022 Allan Henderson Wairarapa Coast We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline. © 2022 Allan Henderson Wairarapa Coast We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline. © 2022 Allan Henderson The Wild Wairarapa Coast Allan Henderson We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline. When we arrived it was beautiful, stunning and no wind. We enjoyed a beer or 2 under our awning, giving respite from the sun’s heat… Well ,that lasted for several hours and then the southerly wind hit us, full side-on and was moving our slide-out in with its gusts. We pulled anchor and swung about, tucking ourselves in a more sheltered area and facing the wind head on… Eventually we had to move our slide-out in part way, which meant we had to climb over the bed to use the bathroom in the night. The next day started out fine, no wind and our world was at peace. Had a great day, bit of a walk and explore and chilled. Our night slowly started rocking as a fresh Northerly wind bashed into the rear of our camper. Again we battened down the hatches to ride it out. TEventually we moved camp to Tora and enjoyed another beating from the wind. Time to head inland. We had a great time out there. The wind and the ocean are brutal, Mother Nature at its finest — but what a blast (pun intended)! Yes, we would go back but would be very mindful of the weather. This area is beautiful, the roar of the ocean, the battered rocks, and the hills are stunning. The road is very doable. We have an 8.5m motorhome with a toad, and generally had a smooth trip in, considering the length of gravel road. One section was very steep, a patch up after a slip — we bottomed out our tow bar on the way in and out. We have an Iveco rear wheel drive with good ground clearance; beware any front wheel drive and or low-to-the-ground rigs. Photos © 2022 Allan Henderson Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 19