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  • Index: 6 Summer 2023 | Camping the Kiwi Way

    Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Index ISSUE 6 Camping the Kiwi Way, 6, Summer 2023 Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Camp oven. ©2023 M Richardson Next Self-containment certification: Which one is yours? Identify which kind of self containment you have, and be clear about where you are allowed to camp, so you can avoid fines and hassles Next Labour weekend at Mangawhai Next What to do? With the new self-containment system in disarray, what do you do with your new build, conversion or upgrade? Four choices. Next The freedom camping law needs to change Seven things to fix • Use the current standard. • Remove the fixed toilet fetish. • Remove the offence “preparing to freedom camp” — who can determine intentions? • Make the delivery of offence notices fair. • Remove the revised definition of homelessness. • Ensure adequate facilities for all travellers. • Differentiate between citizens and tourists. Next Well worth the walk Wharariki Beach is a wild, magnificent, and windswept long sandy beach, home of the Archway Islands, and can be found at the northernmost point of the South Island — west of Cape Farewell Next Teardrop camping Teardrop camping Next Mavis and all her DIY It all started with needing a new roof hatch… well not exactly needing, but more a case of wanting. Out with the old and in with the new. Next You have to be here… We gathered in Alexandra in Autumn, four of us and a dog. It’s a great season for biking in Central Otago, not too hot, and the weather is usually settled. Next Who is advocating for New Zealanders who go camping? Three national groups speak on behalf of NZ campers: the All Points Camping Club of NZ, the NZMCA, and the Responsible Campers Association Next Biking the Waikato River Trails Here’s the exciting opportunities for your stay and cycle journey on the Waikato River Trails. Next Dehydrated dinners Initially I bought a dehydrator to make fruit snacks for tramping. Over time, friends inspired me to use my dehydrator to make pre-cooked dinners. Next There’s no need to rush this Summer. Is it better on the other side? The new self-containment regulations that the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board are trying to implement have more bumps, twists and turns than the North Island Saddle Road. Next Fire safety: Caravans and sleep-outs Caravans and sleep-outs are great fun, but they also carry a much greater risk of fire than a traditional home. These tips will help keep you safe: Next Fire blankets Fire blankets are useful for covering cooking related fires, and for wrapping around a person to smother a clothing fire. Next Lithium-ion battery safety Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are everywhere, from e-bikes & vapes and power tools. They are light, compact, and long-lasting, but can be a fire hazard if they are damaged, mishandled, or improperly disposed of. Next LiFePO4 are a safe choice for a motorhome or caravan Phosphate-based batteries, like lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, offer a superior chemical and mechanical structure that does not overheat to unsafe levels. Next The best medicine Sometimes the best medicine you need is going somewhere with no phone signal so you can spend the whole day just giving each other shit. Next Electrical warrant of fitness certifications Well the holiday season is almost upon us and nearly here, and everyone will be getting their caravans, motorhomes and boats checked to make sure everything is operational. Next Van tour of the op shops We love freedom camping, and great charity recycle shops. My vintage-clothes-obsessed daughter and I did a wee roadie and filled her with treasures (lower North Island). Next Bus Porn at Winter Woodie Bus Porn at Winter Woodie, Woodville, June. Next RV Fridge Basics Most fridges are essentially pumps. They move heat from where it is not wanted to where it does not matter. All work like this. They differ in how they do it — and also how well they do it. This article covers the basics. Next NZers go everywhere to camp This trip is the adventure I’ve dreamed of my whole life. Something different that will challenge me and possibly the closest I can get to Timbuktu for now, so I’m super excited. Next The worst part about going camping is coming home! Being out in nature and sitting around the fire sharing stories is my happy place as I’m sure it is for many people. Next Ten tips for a successful family camping trip If you’re preparing to head off on your Summer family camping trip, whether it’s a short trip or a long trip, we’ve put together 10 tips to make your trip just that bit smoother. Next Car journeys with kids No matter the age of your children, there’s always the car journey and the inevitable “are we there yet?” and “how much longer?” Next Sunday morning flag raising Sunday morning flag raising The Bay of Plenty family camp at Paengaroa. Next 8 days a week and 8 years to celebrate On the 31 December 2023 our inclusive, national camping club will be 8 years old. The All Points Camping Club was officially launched 31 December 2015. It’s been a journey and a half. Next NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification authority With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers, NZ Lifestyle Camping supports the NZ leisure camping industry Next Fishing Fishing. Next View More

  • Index: 5 Spring 2023 | Camping the Kiwi Way

    Spring 2023 ISSUE 5 BUY PDF CONTENTS INDEX Issue 5 Camping the Kiwi Way, 5, Spring 2023 Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Lake Monowai. ©2023 Kayla Laatz Next Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan A caravan travels through five generations. Next The Homestead, St Bathans I’ve been enjoying a few days away at one of my favourite spots, The Homestead Campsite near Saint Bathans. Next Building a connected NZ camping and tourism industry To ensure a sustainable recreational camping industry related interest groups need to be more engaged and appreciative of the issues each group faces. Next At the beach Next 10 Tips for safe caravan towing Here are 10 tips for safe towing: caravans and their tow vehicles have much the same accident rates as other forms of motor transport, their main type of accident, jack-knifing, however, is different. Next The only ones at Lake Pukaki I can’t believe we are the only ones at Lake Pukaki tonight. So incredibly grateful to have captured these skies. Next Lake Monowai campsite Our small family of 3 set up camp in a quiet and secluded paradise in the heart of Fiordland National Park Next Why not stop and stay a while? Introducing Stop and Stay, where to stop when travelling and camping in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. Next Easy-to-make flat breads — Recipes for camping These recipes come from the fabulous book New Zealand Backcountry Cooking by Paul and Rebecca Garland. Next Cooking with fire NZ Fun Adventures was pleased to see so many outdoor enthusiasts join with us for this, now annual, event in our events calendar. Next Really feeling autumny now! Really feeling autumny now! Whakaipo Bay, DOC camp at Taupo. Next Pros and Cons of full time family travel We get heaps of people message us and ask about the pros and cons of travelling full time so we thought we’d put pen to paper and share the highs and lows of full time travel with kids Next More cold season tips Sharing our best hacks which made life so much easier on a recent Matariki vanning trip. Next A small, beautiful cassette toilet There is a cassette toilet in that beautifully crafted cabinet. Next Winter adventures Winter doesn’t mean the end of camping adventures! Instagram Next Freedom camping & self-containment status, spring 2023 The short version Next Freedom camping: who does what The structure of the self containment system. Next Update: Self-containment and freedom camping changes The Government’s recent changes to Freedom Camping and self-containment certification are now being implemented. These changes mean that over the next 18 to 24 months new regulations may impact your freedom camping. Next Freedom camping under the new law There are new penalties and some exemptions. Are you homeless, or making a lifestyle choice? Who gets fined and how they are notified. The law is vague. Councils and enforcement officers have to make it work. Next Cooking on the road: planning food for…off the road A 4-day camp adventure at Lake Tarawera Hot Water Beach, a long way from roads and power: how to manage the food? Next Thinking about your overnight park Do you park your camper facing outwards? (Quick evac if needed.) Or just how you feel? Next The Desert Road The Desert Road On our first road trip with our new caravan. We made it successfully from Wellington to Whangarei. Next Freedom inside the fence We were looking for a freedom park for the night, but following the recommendation of friends we came here, through the big gates, to this pest-free reserve and we discovered it was so much more than a parking spot. Next Small town: Waiau A small, North Canterbury, gem of a town, with friendly, welcoming locals, walks, exhibits, cycle rides, shops and free overnighting. Perfect for a couple of nights. Or more. Next Small town New Zealand: Find the words Puzzle From North and South Islands see how many you recognise. Next A small paint kit, a few good brushes… I have found that it is the obscure, forgotten little places that hold the most interest and subject material for paintings and rewarding experiences. Next This is the story of three types of self-contained vehicles… Baby Bear, Mama Bear and Papa Bear campers Next A Classic Geraldine Classic Caravan Club Next The Aeropress: quality coffee with an easy clean up No more sloppy grinds in the bottom of the waste bucket. No more looking for bushes to throw them under. Next View More

  • Camping the Kiwi Way: filter by topic

    A magazine by and for campers in New Zealand Topics from all issues Choose which topic to show INDEX Stop and Stay Places to stay. Read More Camping the Kiwi Way, 13, Spring 2025 Read More Frustration continues over QLDC’s freedom camping approach Freedom campers, both international and domestic visitors, face frustration with the proposed bylaw restrictions in the Queenstown Lakes District. Many campers simply refuse to go there. Read More Bette Cosgrove Self-containment warrant cards: which ones are valid? Find out which warrants are valid for freedom camping, Summer 2025/26. Read More Butcher’s Pool Tucked away on a side road off SH5 (near Reporoa), is this free hot pool. Read More Miriam Richardson Editorial Your stories are our stories. Take the photos, and tell us all the small stories as well as the big ones. Changing to 3 issues a year. Read More Miriam Richardson A short trip to some big country — Route 52 A beautiful and remote part of the country. Our flying trip, which covered many kilometres, left a real appetite to head back into this fascinating area. Read More Christine Batt As the seasons change Love spring road trips. I was going to walk to the end of the valley… On a wild beach. Four of us went camping. Happy Friday. Who’s camping? Home for the next week. Final winter camp at Lake Tekapo Read More Various Love spring road trips Considering the forecast I got off lightly with no rain, (Mon–Thu) but there were 30km/h+ winds off Lake Wanaka so I did not put up my 270° Batwing awning this trip. 35,000 steps and some cold sunny days. Love spring road trips. Ice on the windscreen overnight. ©2025 Andrew Morton Read More Andrew Morton I was going to walk to the end of the valley I was going to walk to the end of the valley but I forgot to pack my tramping boots, the avalanche warning signs kind of put me off as well. Temple Valley. ©2025 Tony Kissel Read More Tony Kissel On a wild beach Winter nights — wouldn’t you love to be cosy and snuggled up on a wild beach listening to the wind whip the waves? Read More Bette Cosgrove Four of us went camping. We are the only ones here, apart from the sandflies… Still plenty of skin left for them to feast on tomorrow. Wooded Gully, North Canterbury. ©2025 Linda Butler Read More Linda Butler Happy Friday. Who’s camping? Penultimate winter camping weekend. Thanks Carterton District Council for a multi-use, free site. Expecting 1°C tonight. Read More Bette Cosgrove Home for the next week Lake Ohau. A tad chilly in the mornings. Read More Tony Kissel Final winter camp at Lake Tekapo in August Happy until ‘severe weather’ hit at 5am this morning. Snow on mountains, not on my tyres, which is how I like it. -5.7°C. Snow on Monday night, stunning days to walk 40,000 steps, up to the Mt John Observatory & back a couple times. Spring camping here I come. Read More Andrew Morton Water water everywhere On a recent club camp I did a wee survey of the parked vehicles, caravans, motorhomes, buses and others to observe the water supply and disposal systems. Read More Marty Ireland A simple camp shower Our friend Jean Roger said she used old plastic milk bottles to make a simple solar shower. We have just tried this on our sailing holiday and it works brilliantly. Read More Graham Leslie No snow down low: winter camp 3/3 I am having one winter camp each winter month. This was my third, in August. Read More Andrew Morton The hospital visit for my bus In March my bus went into the Rigs’n Things hospital for some major surgery. The operation was done by Dr Chris with the utmost care and to a very high standard. Read More Kelvin Watson Travels around the South Island I wanted to share some photos from my travels around the South Island last winter. I do love the winter down here, with lack of crowds and the snow on the mountains being two of my favourite things. Read More Susan Wood Windy Pack Down Tips One of the hardest things to do is to know when enough is enough, and when it’s time to pack up and leave. The very best time is just before the weather event hits. Read More Jonathan Collins Road trip for a mid-winter meal It had been quite some time since I had been to Canterbury and the thought of meeting up with fellow club members, that I hadn’t seen for many months, appealed. Read More Heather Auckram Campfest South Island There is something happening for the entire family over this family-orientated weekend. Read More Linda Butler On maintenance Here are my whimsical maintenance tips from my bus Keltic Star. Read More Maggie O’Rourke It’s not always sunshine & roses Nine severe weather forecasts in Canterbury. Read More Andrew Morton Lightning risk in RVs Lightning frightens, but lightning risk in RVs is very low. That risk however is far from random. Here’s how to reduce it yet further. Read More Collyn Rivers DOC Update DOC charges for parking at four South Island sites. Do your bit for nature. Remediated mine becomes a Reefton attraction. Read More DOC Recipes for camping: Fresh flavours Spring and summer bring a great array of fresh vegetables. Ingredients like fresh ginger, lime, sesame oil, red curry paste and lemon bring fresh flavours to curries, salads and side dishes. Read More Margaret Earle Recipes on the road Lucy’s gluten-free scones, crustless quiche, zero carb chicken bread loaf , home made butter: Kiwi gold. Read More Various Athenree hot springs and campground Close to Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati this is a prime campground. Read More Maggie O’Rourke MORE

  • Index: 4 Winter 2023 | Camping the Kiwi Way

    WINTER 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Index ISSUE 4 Camping the Kiwi Way, 4, Winter 2023 Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Punakaiki. ©2023 Two Kids and a Caravan Read more Let’s go south for a few weeks’ ‘Let’s go South for a few weeks.’
‘How many weeks?’
‘Eight.’ 
‘How about six?’ 
‘OK. let’s see how it goes.’ Read more Winter’s not going to stop Mavis Winter’s not going to stop Mavis enjoying one of the many spots available at Pahoia Beach Park! 
Bay of Plenty. ©2023 Cheine Matheson Read more Small town friendly Here are some suggestions on how to go about attracting campers to your town. Read more Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan We’ve had heaps of people have asked us for feedback on our caravan and why we chose it so here it is. Read more One hundred nights a year 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. Read more Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps I’ve been turning our food scraps into compost for many a year now, and there’s no way I’m sending them to the landfill now. We chose to use bokashi buckets in our housetruck, as we already had them. A worm farm could also work, though bokashi is possibly more forgiving and takes all food waste — bones and shells included. Read more 8 degrees of harm Societal harm caused by the new self contained motor vehicles legislation. With change there always consequences. While some changes are positive and beneficial sometimes consequences cause a degree of harm. Read more Self containment changes in brief What you need to know if you are currently self-contained, currently certified self-contained, planning to be self-contained, not self-contained, or wanting to freedom camp, now the law has changed. Read more A stove jack Best mod for camping so far, a stove jack that I got sewn into the awning. Keil MacDiarmid ©2023 Keil MacDiarmid Read more It was cold at Mavora Lakes It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. I think the Mrs thought I was a bit crazy suggesting a night away in the van this time of year Read more Winter’s here… How do you make winter camping more comfortable? Here’s a few favourite tips and tricks for keeping warm, dealing with cold, wind, rainy days, and embracing the colder months outdoors for enjoyable winter camping trips. It just takes a little extra preparation and the right gear. Read more Pegs for tough weather A commercial and a DIY (metal) version of a peg for windy weather. Read more I am on track I am on track with my original goal of 100 nights per year & mountain bike as much as I can in other regions. Teardrop. © 2023 Andrew Morton Read more Get on Ya Bike For the novice cyclist, the historical Karangahake Gorge cycle/walking track — along the old railway embankment— is a safe and gentle way to introduce an inexperienced cyclist. Read more Two long blacks and a cheese scone No, this is not about 12 weeks of coffee tasting around the South Island in a small van by a couple of over 80s Read more I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 
Two epic days in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Read more Gold miner Wattie Thompson I came across this derelict house built by Wattie Thompson who had panned the river for gold for over 50 years. Read more Before the cyclone: Freedom Camping, Eastern Hawke’s Bay, Winter 2022 We feel so privileged and fortunate to have made this journey a year ago, gathering such beautiful memories of the landscape as it was. Read more Winter at Nokomai Station Winter at Nokomai Station on the way to Queenstown. ©2023 Dallas Hibbs Read more CampFest — Bulls, 2023 Several hundred campers, locals and visitors met at Bulls Domain in March for the first CampFest. An inclusive camping event for all types of camper with live music and market stalls. Read more Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes Many trampers have vouched that Kiwi Burn Hut is a popular and great option for families, so we thought we’d check it out and put it to a true family-friendly test. With my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out to do the full Kiwi Burn Loop Track and spend one night at the hut halfway through. Read more Waikato west coast road trip We headed to Raglan along some back country roads. Read more Camping as a young family Our story begins in December of 2022 shortly after the birth of our second child, we decided that now was as good of a time as any to dip our toes into the world of caravanning. Read more Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp Looking for a one stop camp for the family with the dog as well ? Then Quinneys Bush is the place to go. Read more Our morning view, heater on Our morning view, heater on. Ruapehu. Hoping for warmer when we get to Kimbolton today. ©2023 Helen Garthwaite Read more Vege nachos: Recipes for camping This recipe is easy to make. It uses mostly tinned foods so is a great meal to make when you are running low on fresh foods or if you have no fridge. Increase or decrease the quantities of the ingredients depending on how many people you are feeding. Read more Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 The annual festival is a mix of small to very large artworks, sculptures with mainly a rural theme, put together using all manner of bits and pieces from shearing blades to bike tyres. Read more Fill in the grid: campers in winter Each of the underlined words below should be recorded into the list on the left. Place each word according to the number of letters in the word. Then transfer the words into the Fill-it-in-grid. Read more Halfway through my 73 days traveling Left Auckland 34 days ago, halfway through my 73 days traveling the South Island. Now in Cromwell then Arrowtown on the weekend. Noticed that it’s getting colder. Now I appreciate my diesel heater. ©2023 Roland Jones Read more View More

  • TOC: 12, Winter 2025 | Camping the Kiwi Way

    Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF CONTENTS Issue 12, Winter 2025 Editorial > Come Camping > Stop and Stay > Contribute > About > Cover image: Honeymoon: by the time they got to Lindis Pass they had snow to deal with. ©2025 Graeme Leslie Table of contents ISSUE 12 Read CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE Read South Island caravan adventure Read Wāhine on Water | Sea Kayakers (WoW SK) Read Love Taupō Read Now we have the power to go off-grid Read Just some more pics from Onearo Read Portable power stations Read Stuck! Read Mains electricity & your caravan, for dummies Read SIx days in the high country Read Campfest is coming to the South Island! Read The Camping Train Read The All Points Camping Club of NZ Read Bringing the caravan up to the new self-containment level Read Self-containment warrant cards Read Winter camp, Portobello, June Read Parking brakes and perils Read Rollercoaster Read Winter camp Invercargill, July Read Winter in the Tararuas for first time trampers Read Winter tramping food Read A honeymoon, in a caravan, in winter, in 1960 Read Weather, climate and camping: editorial Read DOC update Read Colac Bay Read Warming winter food Read Making the toast off-grid – use gas Read Frost Read Stopping, Staying, Skiing Read Things that go bump in the night Read Vulnerable roads… Read New Zealand Lifestyle Camping Read Bluff Farm Read Matariki weekend camp Read Come Camping Read Winter at Miranda Holiday Park Read HUH ! Cracked it! Councils & Government Read Self-containment warrant cards Read Love Taupō Read Vulnerable roads… Read Weather, climate and camping: editorial Read Bringing the caravan up to the new self-containment level Self-containment & Freedom Camping Read Self-containment warrant cards Read Love Taupō Read Weather, climate and camping: editorial Read Stuck! Read Colac Bay Read Now we have the power to go off-grid Read Things that go bump in the night Read Bringing the caravan up to the new self-containment level Read Portable power stations Read A honeymoon, in a caravan, in winter, in 1960 Read The Camping Train Read New Zealand Lifestyle Camping

  • steampunk

    9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Steampunk HQ ©2024 Margaret Earle Steampunk gates ©2024 Margaret Earle Harbour Street ©2024 Margaret Earle In the machine ©2024 Margaret Earle In another machine The gusty wind on Saturday created several costume challenges. I gave up on my wig after less than a minute and spent much of the day clutching or chasing my hat — I hadn’t realised how aerodynamic it is. ©2024 Graham Leslie Mechanical botanical This year’s theme for the festival was ‘mechanical botanical’. ©2024 Margaret Earle Mechanical botanical parade ©2024 Margaret Earle Tea dwelling ©2024 Margaret Earle Steampunk HQ ©2024 Margaret Earle Steampunk the Thames St the Sunday market ©2023 Margaret Earle Steampunk the Thames Kids activities at the Sunday market ©2023 Margaret Earle Steampunk the Thames Waiting for the Saturday morning parade to start. ©2023 Margaret Earle Steampunk the Thames Saturday morning parade ©2023 Margaret Earle A chance to get dressed up and have some have fun. Steampunk— from north to south and back again Margaret Earle “What is Steampunk?” asked the woman I was chatting with on the verge of State Highway 1 south of Ashburton. We’d been waiting in a queue at roadworks for nearly an hour and so had got out of our cars to stretch our legs. While I was trying to think of a suitable answer, my partner Graham succinctly said, “It’s a chance to get dressed up and have some have fun”. A more precise description is “Steampunk is a quirky and fun genre of science fiction. It is often set in an alternate, futuristic version of 19th century Victorian England steam powered devices — the ‘world gone mad’ as Victorian people may have imagined.” Two New Zealand towns hold annual Steampunk festivals. Oamaru is known as the ‘Steampunk Capital of the World’ and has been the hub of Steampunk activities for about 15 years. This includes a festival over King’s Birthday weekend. The town of Thames in the Coromandel has also embraced the Steampunk genre and holds its Steampunk festival in November. Graham and I first went to Steampunk the Thames in 2018 when we saw it as a camping event on the All Points calendar. We put together really basic costumes, turned up and had a fun time. We have been to the Thames festival several times since and each year have added new things into our growing assortment of Steampunk costumes. This year was the first time we had ventured south to Steampunk in Oamaru. The fact that it is held in the middle of winter tended to put us off. But this year we had a family event in Dunedin around the same time, so it seemed like the ideal time to put our virtual toes in icy water and work out how to make our Steampunk costumes warm enough for June in Oamaru. We were lucky with the weather in Oamaru; it was very mild. However, the gusty wind on Saturday created several costume challenges. I gave up on my wig after less than a minute and spent much of the day clutching or chasing my hat — I hadn’t realised how aerodynamic it is. The other Steampunkers in Oamaru were friendly and made us feel welcome. This year’s theme for the festival was ‘mechanical botanical’. There were some inspired costumes depicting this theme in ingenious ways. During the festival there were a range of paid evening events and also free activities, a market and a parade on the Saturday morning. Going to a Steampunk weekend is fun even if you don’t dress up and join in. But dressing up makes it much more fun. You can put together a very basic costume — a hat you’ve bought from a second-hand shop with a pair of steampunk goggles and some dress up clothes. You can then add to this for future events. Going to a Steampunk weekend without a costume is a bit like going to the beach without your togs: You can have fun, but you don’t get to join in the swimming. Steampunk the Thames We are planning to head north in November for this year’s Steampunk the Thames. This is being held from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November. Steampunk the Thames All Points Camping has arranged to use Thames Sea Scouts as a campsite for the weekend. This site is suitable for all forms of camping. There is grassy space for tents, room for camping vehicles, a toilet, shower and kitchen as well as hall space. However, the camping area is not extensive, so it you want to join us at this event it is important that you RSVP in advance at rsvp: ckw.nz/steampunk-thames-rsvp about the event: ckw.nz/steampunk-thames ◼️ Images ©2024 Margaret Earle Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 5

  • Winter and spring in New Zealand, 2025

    Stories from winter and spring campers around New Zealand. Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 CONTENTS PDF BUY TOC As the seasons change Travels around the South Island I wanted to share some photos from my travels around the South Island last winter. I do love the winter down here, with lack of crowds and the snow on the mountains being two of my favourite things. Read More No snow down low: winter camp 3/3 I am having one winter camp each winter month. This was my third, in August. Read More It’s not always sunshine & roses Nine severe weather forecasts in Canterbury. Read More Love spring road trips Considering the forecast I got off lightly with no rain, (Mon–Thu) but there were 30km/h+ winds off Lake Wanaka so I did not put up my 270° Batwing awning this trip. 35,000 steps and some cold sunny days. Love spring road trips. Ice on the windscreen overnight. ©2025 Andrew Morton Read More I was going to walk to the end of the valley I was going to walk to the end of the valley but I forgot to pack my tramping boots, the avalanche warning signs kind of put me off as well. Temple Valley. ©2025 Tony Kissel Read More Four of us went camping. We are the only ones here, apart from the sandflies… Still plenty of skin left for them to feast on tomorrow. Wooded Gully, North Canterbury. ©2025 Linda Butler Read More Happy Friday. Who’s camping? Penultimate winter camping weekend. Thanks Carterton District Council for a multi-use, free site. Expecting 1°C tonight. Read More Home for the next week Lake Ohau. A tad chilly in the mornings. Read More Final winter camp at Lake Tekapo in August Happy until ‘severe weather’ hit at 5am this morning. Snow on mountains, not on my tyres, which is how I like it. -5.7°C. Snow on Monday night, stunning days to walk 40,000 steps, up to the Mt John Observatory & back a couple times. Spring camping here I come. Read More

  • Winter in New Zealand, 2025

    Stories from winter campers around New Zealand. Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 CONTENTS PDF BUY TOC Chilly chilly chilly out there Just some more pics from Onearo Taranaki Read More Rollercoaster It has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride of late. Read More Colac Bay Views for miles. We could see Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island. The stars at night are amazing. Read More HUH ! Cracked it! Whadiya know. Couple of mins later we got heat. Read More Stuck! Oh no! After all the rain in the deep south the gravel track had turned to slush Read More Winter camp Invercargill, July Camp 2, of my 'one winter camp a month'. Read More Frost Woke to a -4˚ frost in Southland this morning. Slept with my woolly hat and socks on and was cosy enough. I also have a good diesel heater and a warm dog. Read More Winter camp, Portobello, June I love Winter camping. Read More Winter tramping food There were some pretty yummy looking dinners getting eaten on our tramp last weekend…. This is what I’m all about. Read More Winter at Miranda Holiday Park Scone mix is made, hope it’s enough, lol. Paddle boards mended. Games sorted. Togs packed. Marshmallow toasting etc after dinner. Read More

  • Index: 7 Autumn 2024 | Camping the Kiwi Way

    Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 BUY PDF CONTENTS I NDEX ISSUE 7 Camping the Kiwi Way, 7, Autumn 2024 Up Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government • Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Coddiwompling ©2024 Bette Cosgrove The packdown In our previous years, we could never pack down in time and were always hot and bothered by the end. This year, we nailed it with time to spare! Up Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system A gaze into the green crystal ball of hope for a consistent, reliable freedom camping vehicle certification system, reveals an extremely stormy and very cloudy future. Up Celebrating Summer Six pages of stories from around the country and the season. Up We made it to Curio Bay Well we made it to Curio Bay on Monday afternoon, after an 8¾ hour drive. Up The dogs had visitors The dogs had visitors at Knottingly Park and Arboretum camp. Up Foray into paradise I can’t really take in how gorgeous the McKenzie Basin is. Up Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours? What you can do with your particular warrant card. Up Tucks Bay, Coramandel Home for the night became Tucks Bay, the overflow part of the Long Bay Campground, Coromandel Up I could live like this forever I could live like this forever. Up Three adults, three kids & five dogs We settled on Lake Opuha for our latest trip. Up Not FREE but truly freedom at its best SH 35 is a magical journey. Put it on your list. Up Love Woodville Ferry Reserve Love Woodville Ferry Reserve, hardly anyone here. Up So you want to freedom camp We are in a transition period from the old ‘blue’ warrant system to a new ‘green’ warrant system. The transition period is set to expire 7 June ’25. There is a small possibility that the Minister might choose to extend the transition period: it could help, with so many needing to be certified by so few. Up Hammock time Hammock time, Tokomaru Bay Up So thankful After 21 days #vanlife freedom camping… Up In two minds In two minds about posting this as it was so wonderful to have had it all to ourselves (the way I like it this side of Xmas!) for 3 nights! But its such a cool place I can’t not share and recommend it. Up Enjoying the shade Great place to enjoy the shade. Orton Bradley Park. Up Peaceful Fortrose A beautiful peaceful place, Fortrose, in The Catlins. Up What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? Self-containment is at the heart of the the latest raft of freedom camping changes instituted in 2023. Up The life and times of a Ford Trader Camper truck The original camper truck in 1973 was aFord Trader . Up Setting up at Campfest Setting up at Campfest, Bulls, Feb 24. ©2024 Tracey Davis. Up Escape to Papatowai After the chaos of Christmas our frazzled nerves needed restoring. We threw a few supplies into the campervan and headed for the healing calm of Papatowai. Up Eclectic bunch What an eclectic bunch of lovely people camping all sorts of ways. Up A lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau I’ve just had a lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau in my little Wanda. Up Enforcement of freedom camping rules Offences to avoid when freedom camping. Who has to pay, Knowing or not knowing you have been ‘infringed’. What information must enforcement officers give? What information are you required to give? You can be required to leave. Impounding things. Up We had a great stay at Tokomaru Bay Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise. Up Family camping… part of my DNA Family camping… part of my DNA for 60 years. Up Two nights (again) at our local reserve Two nights (again) at our local reserve… Waitohi Bush Reserve … great place to just unwind and listen to the bellbirds. Up Home for the next few weeks Ruataniwha Conservation Park. Up View More

  • Camping the Kiwi Way, Issue 9, Spring 2024

    A magazine by and for campers in New Zealand Spring 2024 Choose which topics to show ISSUE 9 BUY PDF INDEX Camping the Kiwi Way, 9, Spring 2024 Table of contents Editorial Councils and government list Come camping Stop and Stay Contribute About Cover image: Steampunk. ©2024 Margarte Earle Read More Gourmet snag Q. What’s better than a gourmet snag on some fresh Turkish bread, with relish, cooked and eaten outdoors while freedom camping? Read More Steampunk— from north to south and back again “It’s a chance to get dressed up and have some have fun” in Oamaru and Thames. Read More Lake Pukaki Lake Pukaki in winter. I can’t get enough of this place. Freedom camping! ©2024 M Richardson Read More The re-build of my Toyota van When I built the van, I knew that sometime later I would have to upgrade it. Read More Ekatahuna Camping at the Eketahuna campground, April 2024 ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Read More The West Coast in winter One winter’s morning in June, my son and I spontaneously took the campervan on a road trip up the coast. Read More Solar basics for dummies Solar power for us campers is a simple process. All you need is a solar panel, a solar controller, and a battery. Read More Ready for sun Ready for sunbathing and a book. Morrisons Bush. ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Read More Converting your camper van: The Cruzar Campervan story We’d been converting campervans as a hobby for a few years and discovered we loved building and creating things together. Plus, we were tired of our dull 9–5 jobs… Read More Caravan at Whanganui Vintage weekend Vintage caravan at a Whanganui Vintage weekend 2024 ©2024 Margaret Earle Read More Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights Firstly, make sure your caravan is ready to move. Read More Buyer beware At the time of writing this, the caravan still sits empty, untouched in our back yard. We are in discussions with our lawyer. Read More Buying used caravans Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention. Read More Cautionary tyre tale Passing over a bit of road where the rumble strip had been removed but not filled in, my tyre got stuck in the rut and shredded. Read More A great great grandchild A multi-generation caravan and great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Read More A night in an arboretum I filled the fridge, tossed in some clothes, a hot water bottle, the dog and hit the road Read More Beautiful obscure things When you are out camping you notice beautiful and obscure things. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Read More A winter day on Farewell Spit Winter is not the best time to visit Farewell Spit from a bird point of view, but I was there, so I took the tour anyway, and it was spectacular. Read More Freedom camping Freedom van camping ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Read More On the shoulder of a god I had a great view of Mt Ngāuruhoe on my first day there, though it was invisible for the rest of my stay. Read More Campground at Opoutere Campground, Opoutere, Stop and Stay, Coromandel Read More Whitebaiting Whitebaiting. Rakaia River Mouth ©2024 David Liddel Read More It was freezing This winter was my first in the Otago cold— a bit of a learning curve. Read More Home roasted coffee beans Sitting under the awning, I enjoy a read or an ale while roasting coffee beans. Read More Lake Pukaki Lake Pukaki, freedom camping in Winter: I cant get enough of this place. Any season. ©2024 M Richardson Read More Freedom camping and self-containment Where are we at? At a government level, a council level, a certification level, at a camper level. Read More Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™ In short, I designed Fix-a-Potty™ for the campervan community to provide more affordable and compact toilet options, with the intention of helping everyone continue to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer. Read More A new cassette toilet for small spaces: The making of the BlackMOA™ A response to a legislative challenge has brought us the compact, front-opening BlackMOA™ Cassette Toilet Read More Fix’n’Rail 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 Read More MORE

  • Camping the Kiwi Way, Issue 8, Winter 2024

    A magazine by and for campers in New Zealand Winter 2024 Select which topic to show ISSUE 8 BUY PDF INDEX Camping the Kiwi Way, 8, Winter 2024 Table of contents Editorial Councils and government list Come camping Stop and Stay Contribute About Cover image: Thermette. ©2024 M Richardson Read More AUTUMN GOLD Autumn stories from around New Zealand Read More Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? If you do not want to freedom camp you do not need the new green warrant. The existing blue standard and blue warrant is still acceptable for all other places that require certified self-containment (so far). Read More Who can freedom camp from now until 7 June 2025? Certified Blue before 7/7/23, and not expired. Fixed or portable toilet. Certified Blue before 7/7/24, and not expired. Fixed toilet only. Green Warrant Read More Getting your camping vehicle certified NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification. With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers Read More The road less travelled: ten lessons learned on the road Three years ago we decided to trade the hustle and bustle of everyday life for the open road. ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan Read More On the cycle trail at Bannockburn On the cycle trail at Bannockburn. ©2023 Andrew Morton Read More Folding electric bike in the middle of nowhere Just met a 75 year old lady on an electric folding bike in the middle of nowhere. ©2024 Stephen Wood Read More Skippers Canyon Quite happy to have taken the tour and not my truck up Skippers Canyon. ©2024 Trisha Fisk Read More What you need for a green warrant for freedom camping The seven requirements Read More Am I freedom camping? You may be surprised to learn when you are and aren’t actually freedom camping Read More 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 Read More Fantail Martin got the winning photo of the birds last weekend. Fantail. ©2024 Martin Butler Read More Fire circle Fire circle on a still Autumn night. Magical. 
©2024 Bette Cosgrove Read More Planning a toilet for the freedom camping green warrant? There are multiple fixed toilet options to meet your space and budget. Read More Clydesdales at Erewhon A fabulous Clydesdale wagon ride one winter at Erewhon. ©2024 M Richardson Read More Greg's Eye at Rays Rest Friday evening and Saturday morning at Rays Rest. It never disappoints. © 2024 Greg Lokes. More on FB: Greg's Eye: ckw.nz/gregs-eye Read More Venting a toilet cassette: why, what, when and how The new regulations require all black waste tanks to be vented, including those tanks that are part of a cassette-type toilet. Read More Got run off the road Got run off the road last weekend. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Read More Ballooning in Canterbury Today was an early start to ballooning in Canterbury. ©2024 Tony Knights. Ballooning Canterbury Read More The top of Dansey’s Pass The top of Dansey’s Pass (935 metres) looking out toward Oamaru 50 kms in the distance. ©2024 Tony Kissel Read More Rugby at Mt Somers Campers enjoying a local rugby game at Mt Somers. See p31. ©2024 Linda Butler Read More Keeping up with self-containment Articles from this issue and earlier issues on self-containment and freedom camping: changes, what to do, what to be ware of. Read More Beautiful vintage buses and trucks Lots of beautiful vintage buses and trucks in the morning mist ©2024 Rv and Tiny House Living NZ Read More To the top of the Ahuriri Valley A nice walk to the top of the Ahuriri Valley, I had the place to my self. ©2024 Tony Kissel Read More A wrap Time to start heading back south after weeks cycling. Bike packed for this afternoon’s bus trip. ©2024 Stephen Wood Read More My stew is bubbling My stew is bubbling on the fire... ©2024 RV and Tiny House Living NZ Read More Composting and coddiwompling I’m about to swap out my portable toilet for a composting waterless toilet in my camper van. Read More Hakataramea Pass ©2024 David Liddall Read More Only getting in 123 Watts Well some days it makes no difference at all how much solar you have on the roof. ©2024 Allan Henderson Read More MORE

  • About us | Camping the Kiwi Way

    About us A magazine by and for campers — inspiring, informing, questioning, learning. Where to go, how to do it, rewards and challenges. The nuts and bolts as well as the politics. produced for for campers of all kinds, we hope we can unite the many different camping people and groups we have in NZ to create a unified voice and energy for current and future generations of New Zealanders. In each issue you will find: stories and pictures from campers, camping and festival events, ‘Stop and Stay’ places, information, advice, tips, experiences, some info on the political landscape. We have articles of interest to councils and government — comment, feedback, implications, remedi es. Share your stories Campers, and groups or clubs promoting NZers enjoying our great outdoors, we would like to share your stories. Tenting, caravanning, motorhoming, van camping, bike camping, hiking and more. Camping photos and stories. Club stories and photos. Upcoming events that include camping. Opinion pieces on camping issues. Send us • Photos 1mb or more in size. • Email words and (separate) images: 
editor@campingthekiwiway.org Contributions close Nov 1 for the Summer issue Feb 1 for the Autumn issue May 1 for the Winter issue Aug 1 for the Spring issue But: for late-breaking articles 
talk to the editor. The magazine is sponsored and supported by All Points Camping Club of NZ, and NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd. The independent editor is Miriam Richardson. You can read the magazine online, read a pdf of the printed magazine free online, or subscribe or buy printed copies . Contact us: editor@campingthekiwiway.org ISSN: 2815-8261 (Print)
 ISSN: 2815-827X (Online) ©2024 All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc Editor: Miriam Richardson
editor@campingthekiwiway.org
campingthekiwiway.org Published quarterly by All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc &
NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd Advertising Advertise in our magazine contact editor@campingthekiwiway.org

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