11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Sailing through the Waiheke Channel on our way to the northern coast of Waiheke. The wind has finally turned to the south. Feb. ©2025 Graham Leslie Sailing through the Waiheke Channel on our way to the northern coast of Waiheke. The wind has finally turned to the south. Feb. ©2025 Graham Leslie the wind has finally turned Sailing through the Waiheke Channel Graham Leslie Sailing through the Waiheke Channel on our way to the northern coast of Waiheke. The wind has finally turned to the south. Feb. ©2025 Graham Leslie More Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 7

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way What is it good for? Self-containment warrant cards Miriam Richardson Which cards are valid? Certified Blue before 6/23 , any toilet OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025 (or until your card expires, if earlier). Certified Blue before 6/24 , fixed toilet OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025(or until your card expires, if earlier). Certified Blue, portable toilet You may not freedom camp on public land†. Certified Green (fixed toilet only) It is OK to freedom camp on public land†. Lasts 4 years. All are OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. † What is ‘public land’? All land managed by district and local councils is covered. This can include land otherwise controlled by NZTA, LINZ or DOC. Currently LINZ has 5 freedom camping areas and the new law applies. The new law now applies to DOC sites that require self-containment. ◾️ ckw.nz/linz | ckw.nz/doc-csc Avoid fines and hassles: identify your self-containment The new freedom camping law specifically states that ‘short term parking’, and ‘day-trip excursions,’ are not freedom camping. Recovering from driver fatigue continues to be allowed, and is, specifically, legally, not ‘freedom camping’. Enforcement An enforcement officer may inspect your warrant card . If asked, you must produce the self-containment certificate . An enforcement officer may not inspect inside your vehicle. Get you vehicle self-contained: see page 39 ◼️ Images: ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 2

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way In the Spring Issue 9 Editor Steampunk – from North to South and back again: “It’s a chance to get dressed up and some have fun” page 5 The re-build of my Toyota van: I woke up to the smell of the sea and the sun rising. I was bitten by the lifestyle. Page 7 Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights: If you are new to towing it is not hard to master. Page 13 Buyer beware: The caravan was only 9 years old. We pawed over the photos, checked questions asked… Page 21 The making of the Black Moa™ A new cassette toilet for small spaces. Page 25 Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 3

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption AutumnGold-H.webp Gregs Eye at Rays Rest Friday evening and Saturday morning at Rays Rest. It never disappoints. © 2024 Greg Lokes. Off the road Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. The guy towing a caravan was hogging the road coming towards me around the corner and refused to move. But anyhow… onwards and upwards. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Fire circle Fire circle on a still Autumn night. Magical. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Mt Somers: musterers hut ©2024 Linda Butler A wrap A wrap. Time to start heading back south after weeks cycling. Bike packed for this afternoon’s bus trip. ©2024 Stephen Wood My stew is bubbling My stew is bubbling on the fire and I’m contemplating getting a bit more level. I’m on a bit of a lean and my carrot went rolling off the bench LOL. Franzisca ©2024 RV and Tiny House Living NZ Skippers Canyon Quite happy to have taken the tour. Able to look at the sights. Just WOW. Loved it. ©2024 Trisha Fisk Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka. ©2024 M Richardson Moving camp When you decide to move camp to a sunnier spot mid morning. Just pick it up and go.… ©2024 Beverley Stoneley Lake Wardell Free camping near Twizel. ©2024 M Richrdson Fantail Martin got the winning photo of the birds last weekend. Fantail. ©2024 Martin Butler Clydesdales at Erewhon A fabulous Clydesdale wagon ride one winter at Erewhon, Canterbury High Country. ©2018 M Richardson Dansey’s Pass The top of Dansey’s Pass (935 metres) looking out toward Oamaru 50 kms in the distance. ©2024 Tony Kissel Beautiful vintage buses and trucks Lots of beautiful vintage buses and trucks in the morning mist ©2024 Rv and Tiny House Living N Folding electric bike n the middle of nowhere Just met a 75 year old lady on an electric folding bike in the middle of nowhere. She was biking to her nearest town to get a prescription. Only thought to get a photo after we stopped and talked. With my cycle-touring load, I wasn’t going to catch her! Northland. ©2024 Stephen Wood To the top of the Ahuriri Valley A nice walk to the top of the Ahuriri Valley, I had the place to my self. Started to snow behind me as I was walking out. Ahuriri Valley, Omarama, North Otago. Photos ©2024 Tony Kissel Only getting in 123 Watts Well some days it makes no difference at all how much solar you have on the roof. We have just under 3000 Watt of solar on the roof and only getting in 123 Watts. Very overcast day here in Methven. ©2024 Allan Henderson Beautiful phone Take phone to a beautiful lake-edge perch. Engage with phone. Return to van. Drive away. 
It takes all kinds. Lake Wanaka. ©2024 M Richardson Longslip Station Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. autumn-rugby-5_H.webp Campers enjoying a local rugby game at Mt Somers. ©2024 Linda Butler Ballooning Today was an early start to ballooning in Canterbury. ©2024 Tony Knights Hakataramea Pass David Liddall ©2024 David Liddall AUTUMN GOLD Editor Read the Autumn Gold stories here: Autumn Gold Image: ©2024 Andrew Morton Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 7

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Freedom camping is NEITHER free from cost NOR free from responsibility What’s in a name? Is freedom camping actually free? Bette Cosgrove A freeloader effect, the ‘something for nothing’ opinion, can have a negative impact on those who like to find a quiet, beautiful natural out of the way place to stay overnight on land managed by Department of Conservation or local authorities. Is freedom camping the right term? Called ‘responsible camping’ by government agencies and tourism organisations, wild camping, outbacking, nature camping or boondocking, in other countries, responsible camping or freedom camping is a popular, low-cost accommodation option for domestic and international visitors. Of course freedom camping is not free from cost and definitely not free from responsibility. Why freedom camp? Social media groups offer these reasons: freedom to travel to lesser known areas without the pressure to plan ahead too much; not having to fit into a specific parking site, or book for particular dates; get away from people, modern conveniences, and, in particular, away from light pollution; enjoying natural surroundings: such as
the ocean, bush, river or lake views. well-being: getting away from everyday life, enjoying a sense of ‘free spirit’; taking a ‘green prescription’. Research commissioned by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in 2019/20 summer, amplified a Department of Internal Affairs study in 2016, ‘Managing Freedom Camping’. They found: Camping is an important and growing kiwi tradition. It is an alternative to commercial campgrounds or a substitute in places without any. Saving money is not the primary reason for freedom camping: -- 1st travel freedom; -- 2nd comfort; -- 3rd low cost. The responsible camping system is under pressure due to strong growth in demand, from international visitors (pre-covid in particular) and domestic tourists. Negative perceptions. The 2016 research noted the growth in negative perceptions, amplified by the media, that campers are responsible for litter, waste and bad behaviour, rousing a public concern that drives greater local restrictions. Freedom campers can be seen as costly visitors, requiring public facilities like parking, rubbish collection, public toilets. Ratepayers see themselves as subsidising them. Who is freedom camping? Estimates suggested about 245,000 people responsible camped in New Zealand in 2019, before covid. Around 63% (154,000) were international visitors, 37% (91,000) were NZers. Age The average age of domestic campers was 63 years of age. The average age of international campers was 26 yrs (purchased their own vehicle), 32 years (hired a budget vehicle), 41 years (hired a premium vehicle). Where did they camp? NZers: designated responsible camping sites 34% of nights; commercial camps 15%; NZMCA parks 24%; International visitors: 17–34% at commercial camps. How many nights? 2.67 million responsible camping nights; an average of 11 nights per person. Spending by freedom campers Campervan travellers report higher than average spending on activities/admission fees and transport costs. International visitors purchasing vehicles generally stayed longer and spent more than those hiring. Finally Research has proven that most International freedom campers are here longer, engage more with communities, add value if on a work and holiday visa, and actually spend more per person when visiting our country, than most short-term tourists who choose luxury high-value tourism options. See also If the law changes Freedom camping bylaws Waiting on a law change Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 2

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Buckets, gladwrap, and gossip Miriam Richardson As the select committee considering the proposed changes opened for oral submissions, the Minister of Tourism the opened the speaking, and talked of buckets covered in gladwrap as toilets in motorhomes. It is indicative of how far removed the Minister is from actual facts, that he (a) quotes gossip and (b) misquotes the gossip to support his proposed changes to NZ law. (The gladwrap gossip was about toilets, not buckets.) The Minister is convinced, on no presented evidence, that the fixedness of a toilet is related to its use. No-one knows where he got this idea from; but we know that he is extraordinarily (fixedly, even) insistent on it, regardless of the lack of any evidence. Sadly, there are precious few facts, lots of gossip, lots of time pressure, and a scattergun of poorly aimed legislation heading our way. Get out an enjoy those freedom camping spots while you can. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 4

5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Table of contents, Spring, issue 5 Editor 2 Freedom camping under the new law 4 E ditorial 4 Freedom camping & self-containment: status, Spring 2023 4 Freedom camping: who does what 5 Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan 7 Cooking on the road: planning food for off the road 8 The Homestead, St Bathans 9 10 Tips for safe caravan towing 9 Why Caravans roll over… and how to prevent it 10 Building a connected NZ camping and tourism industry 11 Lake Monowai campsite 12 Why not stop and stay a while? Introducing Stop and Stay 14 Cooking with fire 14 Easy-to-make flat breads 15 Pros and Cons of full time family travel 16 More cold season tips 18 Update: Self-containment and freedom camping changes 20 Thinking about your overnight park 21 Freedom inside the fence 22 Puzzle: Small town New Zealand 23 Small town: Waiau 25 A small paint kit, a few good brushes… 26 This is the story of three types of self-contained vehicles… 29 Mobile cell towers 29 The Aeropress 30 Around my own back yard 32 The smallest church 33 Events — Camping 34 Events — Festivals and shows Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 3

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Fix’n’Rail Lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area, or, if you don’t need it to slide, fix it in place Fix’n’Rail Mystenterprise Due out late October, the Fix’n’Rail is a heavy duty sliding rail and secure bracket that lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area, or, if you don’t need it to slide, fix it in place. They say the bracket allows the holding tank to be removed for emptying and it can be adjusted for different sized toilets. ◼️ From mystenterprise: ckw.nz/fix-n-rail Images: mystenterprise.com Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 24

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Self-contained in a tent. ©2024 Tony Kissel none of those involved in regulating it seem to really care about self-containment, per se What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? Miriam Richardson Self-containment is at the heart of the the latest raft of freedom camping changes instituted in 2023. What is ‘self-containment’? The NZ Standard gives us our definition of self-containment. To provide “for the containment of solid waste, toilet waste, and grey waste water, resulting from the approved number of occupants’ daily activities, and to supply their minimum fresh water needs, for at least three days.” NZ Standard, Self containment of motor caravans and caravans (NZS 5465:2001), © 2024 Standards New Zealand. Do you need a fixed toilet to be self-contained? No . Can you be self-contained and use a portable toilet in a toilet tent? Yes . Does a preference for using public toilets mean you aren’t self-contained? No . Does the one-in-many-million chance of catching Legionnaires disease feature in self-containment? What?! No! Do cassette toilets enable the containment of toilet waste? Yes . Do toilet cassettes have any problems doing it? No . Does every toilet cassette in the country need to be modified to be self-contained? No . (Do the new regulations require such a change? Yes . Why? Ignorance on the part of the regulation writers. ) What is the point of self-containment? The point is protecting the environment by making sure all those enjoying it can keep their waste contained and can dispose of it safely and cleanly in the right place and time. How did we get here? When the NZMCA first mooted self-containment as a way to protect the environment, they focused on facilities rather than behaviour. It’s much easier to work out if there is a toilet, than it is to know that a person truly knows that peeing or shitting in the bushes is not acceptable. (Oh, men, should I have left peeing in the bushes out? ) The Responsible Campers Association promoted an alternative, a teaching-based option, where campers learned how to handle their waste responsibly. Sadly, this got little traction. Climbers and trampers learn to handle their waste responsibly; it can be done, even without a vehicle. Many of the reported problems with travellers and waste are not about facilities within their vehicles so much as actions taken by the travellers: education might have successfully managed this, particularly for short term visitors. Many are self-contained but are not “certified self-contained” Some are self-contained to the same criteria as those who get certified, and some follow the definition and intent of self-containment but not all the details of the standard. It is not hard to contain your waste, and jumping through the certification hoops has only become necessary as exclusionary laws have been enacted, barring those who are not certified. There is now a legal requirement to be ‘certified self-contained’ if you want to freedom camp which means having passed the test to prove your vehicle meets either NZS 5465:2001 the ‘old’ standard (blue warrant)(until 7/6/25) or the new regulations for a green warrant. Certifying for self-containment: the laws and regulations Strangely, nowhere in either the Freedom Camping Act 2011 , or the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 do they trouble to define self-containment. They define enforcement officer, freedom camp, motor vehicle inspection, motor vehicle inspector, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and even the humble ‘registration plate’, but not what they mean by “self-contained”. The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Regulations 2023 which are the new regulations for self-containment, don’t define it either. They define blackwater, greywater, wastewater, wastewater system, Board, certificate of self-containment, self-containment levy, self-containment authority, enforcement officer, and warrant card, but nope, not “self-containment”. The government department charged with making the regulations, the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), does not show any awareness what it means. The simplest reason to infer from these omissions is that none of those involved in regulating it really care about self-containment, per se. Being either ignorant, or able to ignore, what self-containment actually means, they can regulate to the tune of their other imperatives which are more about restricting freedom camping to large vehicles and wealthier people, than to containing waste and protecting the environment. Given that the laws and regulations are not based on any definition of self-containment, it is perhaps explicable that they demonstrate a lack of knowledge around how motorhome waste can be safely and sensibly managed, they perpetuate ex-Minister Nash’s peculiar fetish around the fixedness of toilets, and they give plenty of rope, I mean scope to show how little house-based plumbers know about vehicle-based plumbing. Usually this ignorance would have been ameliorated by the Select Committee process, and by consultation with experts during the formation of the regulations. Sadly the Select Committee process was knee-capped by the then-opposition members (now the government), and those tasked with developing the regulations seem to have taken shortcuts with the consultation, only choosing to hear who or what suited them, and their lack of knowledge and professionalism is evident in the regulations, for all to see. Unintended consequences: the mandate for large campers The shift from small vehicles to large vehicles is going to increase the impact of each traveller on the environment. Being larger, heavier, and taller, they will make a bigger impact on the roads, on the phyiscal environment and intrude much more on the scenic view. Notes The NZ standard NZS 5465:2001 About the standard Download a PDF of the standard (this free download is time limited). PGDF on self-contained vehicles MBIE on freedom camping changes Freedom camping law The Regulations 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) Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 10

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Earthbeat Festival Festivals and Shows Editor These events offer an opportunity for people to overnight while they attend or you can overnight nearby. Some are restricted to certified self contained vehicles, some restrict or ban pets. Check the event website for details. MARCH WOMAD New Zealand 2024 15–17 Mar, Fri, New Plymouth, Taranaki Music and dance performers from around the world and across Aotearoa! womad.co.nz | ckw.nz/womad-camp ckw.nz/womad-eventfinda Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival Sat 16 Mar Havelock, Marlborough A seafood extravaganza. Camping available, certified self-contained. No dogs. ckw.nz/mussel-eventfindackw.nz/mussel-fest ckw.nz/mussel-camp Earth Beat Festival 2024 Wed 20 – 24 Mar, Wellsford, Auckland Stay the weekend with the family. Cutting edge creativity, life-changing experiences and learning, a party. No dogs. Tent and vehicle camping. Accessible camp sites. ckw.nz/earth-beat ckw.nz/earth-beat-eventfinda RIPE 2024: the Wanaka wine and food festival Sat 23 Mar, Glendhu Bay, Wanaka, Otago Central Otago’s finest wine and food. Camping at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, or Albert Town Park. ckw.nz/ripe | ckw.nz/ripe-eventfinda Port of Tauranga 61st National Jazz Festival 23 Mar–3 Apr, Bay of Plenty A week of jazz and fun. Choose an event near a free camp. Jazz Street Party Katikati, 23 March. Tauranga & Mt Maunganui on the other days. ckw.nz/katikati-jazz | ckw.nz/jazz ckw.nz/jazz-eventfinda Evening Meditation on the Maunga Sat 23 March, Maungatautari, Waikato Evening birdsong and gentle sounds of nature are an ideal setting for meditation. There are a few overnight parks at Sanctuary Mountain. ckw.nz/meditation ckw.nz/sanctuary Warbirds Over Wanaka Mar 2024 29 –31 Mar 2024, Easter, Wanaka, Otago One of the world’s top Warbirds airshows it is a biennial event. More than 50,000 people attend. Sort your accomodation first. warbirdsoverwanaka.com Oxford A&P Show 2024 Sat, 30 Mar, EASTER Saturday, Oxford, North Canterbury Enjoy some country hospitality. There is a lovely freedom camping by the Eyre River, 1km from town. ckw.nz/oxford-show ckw.nz/oxford-eventfinda APRIL Mackenzie Highland Show Mon 1 April, Easter Monday, Fairlie A fun family day out with something for everyone. Freedom camping is some distance away at Lake Opuha, but there is free parking for the day at the show. mackenzieshow.co.nz ckw.nz/mckenzie-eventfinda Aspiring Conversations Thu 4–7 Apr, Wanaka, Central Otago A biennial festival of ideas where key thinkers talk about a diverse and rich array of current, controversial and just downright interesting subjects. Camping at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, or Albert Town Park. festivalofcolour.co.nz ckw.nz/aspiring-eventfinda Waiau School trail ride 2024 6–7 April, Waiau, North Canterbury For competent riders of off-road motorcycles and ATVs. Breathtaking. Basic overnight camping. theride.co.nz LATER Mardi Gras Ohakune June, Ohakune ckw.nz/ohakune-24 Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloon Glow and Laser Festival June, Mt Hutt village ckw.nz/fire-ice-24 Mystery Creek Field Days June, Hamilton fieldays.co.nz Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 41

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Hammock Time ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Hammock time Bette Cosgrove Hammock time, Tokomaru Bay ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 5

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Ōparara Basin waharoa (gateway) Karamea, Kahurangi National Park. ©2024 Andrew Morton Ōparara Basin viewpoint The new viewpoint provides a spectacular view of the basin and includes interpretation for visitors such as a stone diorama explaining the geological formation of the area. ©2024 Andrew Morton Map ©2024 Andrew Morton Walking in the bush ©2024 Andrew Morton Walking in the bush ©2024 Andrew Morton Walking in the bush ©2024 Andrew Morton Walking in the bush ©2024 Andrew Morton Walking in the bush ©2024 Andrew Morton Mirror Tarn ©2024 Andrew Morton Moria Gate Arch ©2024 Andrew Morton Moria Gate Arch ©2024 Andrew Morton Moria Gate Arch ©2024 Andrew Morton Moria Gate Arch ©2024 Andrew Morton Karamea map We found this incredible destination, 50 minutes north of Karamea. my 250th night since getting my teardrop Truly a Summer to remember Andrew Morton Currently on night 23 of this 86-night trip. In Murchison next week I celebrate my 250th night since getting my teardrop. (I’m heading for a 500-night goal in the next couple of years). After 23 days I have done 380+ km mountain biking, and driven 3000+ km. Truly a Summer to remember, this one. Many more rides in sight, including Queen Charlotte track in March, and many more places to go & people to meet and friends to catch up with. My wife joined me for a mini holiday yesterday— a16hr and 450km driving day. We found this incredible destination, 50 minutes north of Karamea: Moria Gate Arch and Mirror Tarn. ©2024 Andrew Morton Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 15