11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Brian and Rosie ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke The entrance to Rosie and Brian’s ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke The vege shop at Rosie and Brian’s ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Rosie and Brian’s ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Rosie and Brian’s ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Brian and Rosie ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Butchers Pool ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke STOP and STAY Rosie and Brian’s Maggie O’Rourke What a hidden gem for a POP. I now know why it was recommended to me by members. Is it worth staying here? 100% yes! When I rang to book my stay I got Brian on the phone, with a huge welcome and the directions of 2 yellow vegetable signs and where to park in the 2nd paddock with the caravans. Of course his directions were spot on, but I still managed to overshoot the drive — if you’re heading either way and see the Reporoa sign you’ve gone too far. I tell you, what a welcome! I think why people stay is due to our lovely welcoming hosts Rosie and Brian. They have been operating this site in their paddocks for 8 years, back then it was a gold coin to stay and to help campers out. Brian is a master grower, not bad for 79, 80 this year. Their market vegetable shop and Rosie’s knitted clowns are for sale for cash only. It’s been a delight to stay here for a week learning about our hosts and having homegrown fruit and veges on the doorstep. People travel from Taupo to get their fresh produce here. Though not classed as organic with a certificate, it’s pretty close without that label attached. The vege shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8am– 5pm-ish. So what does this POP offer us? Well where does one start? The longer I stayed more I discovered. The cost is $5 per unit per night. You need to be fully self-contained. Tents are welcome, but you need your own toilet. Generators are allowed but please be considerate. Vege shop is open to pay 7 days a week please put money in blue container if they are not in the house or garden. Open year round and no time limit on your stay. Pumice ground for winter stay overs. Potable water. Book exchange. Shelter hut and stage with a piano and couch. Compost bin. Fire pit and bbq area —firewood is available for a donation. Dogs welcome, on a lead. All ages and groups welcome (groups: book in advance). Members and non members welcome. Book your spot by contacting them by phone but please be considerate and don’t ring too late. Nearest dump stations: Rotorua, Wairakei BP (often blocked), Taupo and Kinloch. What’s in the area Fishing at the bridge or by boat on the Waikato River (Brian knows all the best spots); shopping or tourist activities in either Taupo, Rotorua or even the mountain. If you go to bookme.co.nz you may get a bargain of 20–90% off activities and food. Butchers Pool The best kept secret in the area is 19km away, towards Rotorua: Butchers Pool, a free thermal pool. It’s so secret that you think the Google Maps are wrong as there is no sign, but someone’s house numbers are on the fence. It seems the locals don’t want you to know their secret and the sign often disappears. Coming into the dirt road is like a tankers track narrow and rough, me poor girl got shook up a bit (the bus not me); I was praying that no-one took us on coming the other way as there is no room to pass. Toilets, changing rooms and rubbish bins are onsite. Hot thermal pools according to my thermometer sit between 40–42°C. Beware when you climb in as the steps are slippery and pay attention to the signs saying not to put your head under (to avoid bacterial meningitis, a danger at all natural hot pools). Reporoa is 21km away. Another delight. Reporoa Valley Traders & Post Shop; Awaken cafe (8am–5pm Mon–Fri), I highly recommend their coffee and food and the staff are so welcoming and helpful — I ended up asking umpteen questions on the area. The op shop behind the playground on the main street is open 11am–4pm Thursday only. There is a fish and chip shop (11am–7pm, every day). Bake House (5am–5pm/6pm); Reporoa Food Market plus Lotto (7.30am–6.30pm, every day.) The Woolshed Tavern offers drinks, meals, a bottle store and takeaway meals (11am–8pm or 10pm, every day); there is a car mechanic, a tyre shop, police, health centre, vet, and playground. Though Taupo is the same distance from Rosie and Brian’s as Reporoa, Reporoa is not as busy, you can find a carpark, find a seat at the cafe and you can relax way more. Bliss. Plus the Butchers Pool is free just up the road. Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 31

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing a weekend of fun, music, food and family-friendly entertainment Camp Fest ‘25 21-23 February Pack up your tent or camping vehicle and join us at the Bulls Domain for a weekend of fun, music, food and family-friendly entertainment. campfestnz.org Celebrating the whole spectrum of camping from small tents through to large camping vehicles. An awesome line-up of entertainment for everyone, as well as craft, trade and food stalls and a variety of kids activities. Camp Fest 2025 focuses on children and their families: our future campers. Children are free* Adults $40/$30, Children free* All Points Camping Club members $30 Register now ckw.nz/campfest-reg Pay when you register or on arrival (cash or EFTPOS). Print your tickets or save them on your phone to show on arrival. JOIN the All Points Camping Club and get the discount: ckw.nz/apc-join $35 *children school-age or younger are free. "Great catching up with old friends and making new. Some very cool set ups and decorations. " The highlight for me is always the live music especially the covers band for dancing, some super talented people (some are talented campers too). Amy "So many cool campers to check out and vote for. Love the ingenuity and style on display." "Been 2x, first stay the friendliness caused us to join APC. Awesome camp and should be on everyone’s must-do list." Kevin The All Points Camping Club of New Zealand is proud to be the organiser of this wonderful event. Camp Fest is growing each year, this is the 3rd, and it would not succeed without the support of the campers that attend and the general camping industry such as NZ Lifestyle Camping, Route 54 and others in the camping industry. Encouraging our future generations of campers: family-friendly camping Children are our campers of the future so we want to make camping both fun and accessible for families. Activities to keep the younger members of our community entertained and excited about camping will include: Friday evening story-time sessions forpreschoolers and primary school children a talent show a tent pitching competition a treasure hunt quiz, and a colouring competition. The Bulls Domain has a children’s playground and plenty of grassy space for kids and families to set up games and other outdoor activities. We will be providing a variety of play equipment for kids and families to use during the weekend and hope to set up spaces for specific activities such as a bike riding area and a space to fly your kite. "Kids had a ball. Begged us to come again next year." Everyone is welcome at Camp Fest, no matter who you are, what you drive or how you camp Camp Fest is for everyone who camps — whether you have a small pup tent, a large family tent, a pop top caravan, a large motorhome or anything in between. The Bulls Domain has toilets and showers, so it is suitable for camping in tents and vehicles that are not self-contained. We want to make camping fun for everyone and so are planning activities for all ages. Specific activities for kids and their families are being planned. At the last Camp Fest ‘there were very cool set-ups and decorations. My favourite a wee $27 tent by the playground decked out with fairy gear and a wee live fairy inside’. Amy Adults have not been forgotten. On Saturday afternoon and evening you will be able to hear live music from a range of hand-picked artists (more, right) and the Bulls Rugby Club bar will be open. "My friend and I were welcoming people at the gate for most of the weekend. People arriving were all cheerful and there to have a great weekend. We loved the variety of experiences they bought from crusty old campers with decades of camping experience through to those camping for the first time. "One guy turned up in a refrigerated milk truck and we thought he was making a delivery, but it turned out to be all a disguise and the interior of the milk truck was fitted out as a camper." Graham Pet friendly This is a pet friendly event as a large number of us travel with our fur babies. Areas will be set aside around the main field for campers to camp with their pets. Please be aware that dogs must never go on the main playing field. Also keep pets under control and your dogs on a lead at all times. A market square for entertainment, stalls and meeting up with friends We are setting up an area by the stage and rugby clubrooms as a market square with stalls, food trucks and tables and chairs. This will be a great place to chill out, have a bite to each, browse the stalls and enjoy the entertainment. Around the market square will be stalls selling crafts, trade goods and food. The food trucks will have breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. As in previous years there will be competitions for camper’s vehicles, tents and sites. We are also hoping to have some workshops and presentations. Check campfestnz.org for the latest information. Want a stall? Register here: campfestnz.org/stallscampfest Sell your tent or camping vehicle: $20 (plus your entry ticket). "We liked the entertainment, the different stalls, meeting up with friends (of course)…" "The highlight for me is always the live music especially the covers band for dancing, some super talented people (some are talented campers too)." Amy "So many cool campers to check out and vote for. Love the ingenuity and style on display." "Been 2x, first stay the friendliness caused us to join APC. Awesome camp and should be on everyone’s must-do list." Kevin Fun for all ages on the Camp Fest ‘25 stage Our stage programme offers a range of activities such as story time for littlies, activities for bigger kids and a kids talent show. There will be open mic sessions for campers too — we’d love you to share a song, a poem or some comedy perhaps (bring your own instruments). We will have live music Saturday afternoon through to Saturday night. There will be a range of family friendly bands to enjoy. You might like to picnic by the stage and perhaps enjoy some dancing into the evening. The bar will be operating in the rugby club rooms. The stage will shut down around 9pm. Live music line up Jeff & Sheree Acoustic Duo Jeff & Sheree Acoustic Duo This very accomplished duo will be performing their favourite set of classic songs from the 70’s through to today’s greatest artists. Their sound is an amalgam of Jeff’s original, fingerstyle arrangements on guitar, interweaving with Sheree’s soulful bluesy vocals. Incorporating a mixture of Alt-Country, Jazz, Soul Funk Pop but with a rock edge. They play completely live using a loop station and a wing & a prayer! This husband and wife duo is well known in the Manawatu and will bring a super smooth, easy listening vibe. Tina Turley Tina Turley and The Kiwi Connextion Canadian country artist Tina Turley is touring NZ over summer and we are delighted to welcome her back to Camp Fest. Tina is an established country crooner with an unmistakable bluesy, rock n’ roll edge. A powerhouse vocalist who can envelop you and take you on a musical journey with her performance. Tina is bringing her Hamilton-based band The Kiwi Connection with her and this hot little five piece will be playing a range of favourites you know as well as some of Tina’s originals. Karen Clarke Blues Woman Karen is one of NZ’s fine homegrown indie blueswomen. Her music is firmly rooted in Rhythm and Blues. Her original material skirts a range of blues styles with a rootsy, contemporary edge. You’ll detect a dalliance with jazz and alt-country too. A one woman boil up! Her power-packed performance is strong. Grounded. Warm. Her sometimes silky sometimes sultry smoky vocal over distinctive rhythm guitar command regard. This Mama will get your toes tapping. Karen is from Taranaki and she is an All Points Camping Club member. Light Years Light Years Light Years is one of the Manawatu’s best loved covers bands. They were a big hit with the crowd last year so we are delighted that Nick and the boys are coming back again this year. These guys play all your pop and rock favourites and bring a party vibe to our evening. You will be wondering how so much music can come from just three players. Their upbeat energy will charm you onto the dance floor if you are willing. Think party rocks —you know what to do! ◊ All images shared by and belong to attendees. Getting there. Read: All roads lead to Camp Fest "This will be the third year I’ve attended, wouldn’t miss it for the world and there’s so much to do all weekend. A fantastic way to catch up with others and make new friends." Lizzette "The dancing, chatting, debating, eating, cooking, playing, tip-sharing, shopping, viewing set-ups and marvellous camping stories all came together for an amazing time." Bette "Love the common interests and information sharing." Joanne Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 31

Autumn 2023 ISSUE 3 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Events Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 34

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption coddiwomple_w_m.webp Beware of what you see though stories Instagrammable: making the most of instagram Bette Cosgrove Instagrammable(v) beautiful enough to share on the Instagram.com app So many travellers, campers, and vanlifers are recording their journeys on 'the gram' these days, sharing snippets of their lives, packaged neatly in squares or reels. Instagram, the social media platform, is a quick and easy way to document and share to your chosen followers or a keen public, just where you've been and what you've seen. ‘Reels ‘or ‘carousels’ of photos and video snippets with background music, are simple to create and can make even the most basic scenery shot look like a luxe travel promo for camping or travelling adventures. It also creates a simple visual diary for your trips away or life on the road. Instagram is an attractive and often addictive 'look book' to scroll through, filled with recommended places to visit and shared experiences. It's a good place to start researching if you want to go on a roadie or camping trip of your own. Beware of what you see though stories Instagram feeds can often glorify or sanitise the sometimes cold, miserable or cramped reality of vanlife or camping adventures. Always be conscious that the carefully curated shots of stunning vistas, natural beauty, and carefree living might be missing the full truth of everyday challenges that weather, environment, crowds and lack of home comforts can create. Where to start? If you're keen to discover new places to visit or freedom camp, in our gorgeous country, then a good place to start is to search Instagram using the #hashtag #Coddiwompling You're bound to find an INSTA account with adventurous Kiwis, just like you, to follow. They're intent on finding out-of-the-way places to share their life 'in squares' so that their followers get a head start on which top spots to add to their itinerary. Try these recommended accounts for starters : @vangranz @adventureswithrosy @wandawompling @coddiwomple_van @lifedonedifferentlynz @wee.white.van @shazgram What is a hash tag? And how do you use it? Take a word. Put a # (hash) in front of it. Its a hashtag. Add the hash tag to your photos on instagram, your posts on facebook, any blog post you put on the internet. Just type it at the end. #coddiwompling Now you can find your and other peoples stuff that share the same hash tag. Your photos and posts will stand alongside others who also add #coddiwompling to their photos. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 31

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption A multi-generation caravan and ... a great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove A multi-generation caravan and great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove A great great grandchild Bette Cosgrove A multi-generation caravan and great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 14

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing STOP and STAY Ōtaki Rivermouth M Richardson Fishing at the Ōtaki Rivermouth. ◊ October. ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 11

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

4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Table of Contents, Winter, issue 4 Editor Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park, Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up 1/1 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption It is camper behaviour which makes you responsible, not the equipment you have in your vehicle If the law changes: Managing self-containment Bette Cosgrove From a small van to a large bus, there are thousands of commercially or home-built vehicles on our roads, providing travellers with all the necessary comforts of living. The goal is to be able to freedom camp in beautiful spots, to enjoy the outdoors, and stay for a while without needing to rely on an external water supply, waste disposal or cooking facilities. It requires creative thinking to fit in a basic kitchen, fresh water supply, as well as power, space for a toilet, grey and black water storage, sometimes a small fridge and, of course, a comfortable place to sleep. All of these facilities make the vehicle fit for the purpose of camping while travelling, and with them, a camper is self-contained. The number of days self-contained depends on the size of water and waste storage. Self-containment is a basic standard for any campervan builder, and this can be achieved either to suit the user, or to meet a set of standard criteria; or both. Currently what it means to be ‘self-contained’ is not defined in NZ law. Under the current law, you can camp in any vehicle or temporary structure in any area which is not prohibited or restricted, including a tent, caravan, motor home, or any form of vehicle with sleeping facilities. That is because responsible freedom camping does not rely on specific facilities you carry onboard. It is camper behaviour which makes you responsible, not the equipment you have in your vehicle. Changes to the law Thanks to inconsistent and sometimes confusing bylaws, the (2022) Minister, of Tourism Stuart Nash, decided to bring in a national self-containment standard. The Bill, presented to parliament in 2022, among other changes, would include a definition of a self-contained vehicle in national law. Vehicles would need to comply with a new set of technical regulations written by MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) in order to receive certificatation. (Ex-) Minister Nash’s obsession with the fixedness of toilets has been included in the proposed new law. He insists that portable chemical toilets should no longer be allowed to meet the needs of freedom campers. With a change of Minister, and the new law still being at the Select Committee stage (Feb 2023), we are in a time of uncertainty. Freedom camping approaches A ‘non self contained’ camper might use a roof-top tent on top of a car, a tiny teardrop camper, or be travelling by motorbike or bicycle, which will not have the space to accommodate a sink with water, grey water storage, and a chemical toilet. They can still be responsible and leave no trace in any freedom camping area. Self contained freedom camping, means in a vehicle which is designed and built for the purpose of camping, and has the capability of meeting the water and waste needs of the occupants for a minimum of three days without requiring any external services or discharging any waste. It may be set up creatively, to suit the user and be fit for purpose. Certified self containment (CSC) requires an inspection of the self-containment facilities inside the vehicle. The inspector certifies that it specifically meets New Zealand Standard 5465, and issues a self containment certificate and sticker to prove it is self contained to the standard. The certificate says how many people are covered: the more people the more water and waste is required. To comply you need: a toilet; adequate fresh water storage; adequate waste water storage, which is vented and protected from overflow; a sink fitted with a smell trap; and a sealable rubbish bin. This NZ Standard is currently unmonitored by a government department, and is, in legal terms, a voluntary standard. Of the 69 local authorities across New Zealand, only 38 have adopted the NZ Standard as their definition of self containment in their enforceable bylaws. Only in these areas must you be able to prove certification or risk a fine. MBIE estimates (they do not know, so are guessing) there are at least 68,000 certified self contained vehicles, and at least 15% of these may be using portable toilets with a further 55,000 vehicles readily converted into campers, or used for camping, most of which are likely to be using a porta-potty (portable toilet). For those who can’t meet the revised standard... The new Bill will render thousands of campers legally “not self contained,” even though they are still able to meet the water and waste needs of the occupants for a minimum of three days. The new Bill suggests local authorities can, if they choose, provide access to NZ’s public lands specifically for these travellers. There are only a small number of councils who currently allocate ‘non self contained’ overnight camping, usually in carparks alongside public toilets. Designating new spots would require a massive effort including site analysis, consultation and rewriting of any bylaws, costing both time and money. Even the Department of Conservation, tasked with giving NZers access to public conservation land, requires certification at many of their sites. Is there room? Modification to meet the “fixed toilet” standard will be impossible for smaller vehicles. While a portable toilet may be able to be stored under beds, or inside cupboards, then taken out an used whenever needed (as per the current Standard), a fixed toilet takes up space more intrusively. Can you afford it? The extra cost to fit a fixed toilet and associated plumbing may be prohibitive for most van builders. Compared to a perfectly adequate porta-potty costing up to $150 (easily cleaned and emptied at a dump station) MBIE research suggests that modification costs are $1200 to $5000 at the low end and $5000 to $30,000 at the high end. Effectively, the new Bill reduces the opportunity for thousands of NZers to freedom camp, either because of the size or style of their camping vehicle, or becasuse they are less affluent. Where to from here for the DIY campervan builder Anyone currently inspired to attempt a DIY campervan build is faced with challenging design decisions about the possible installation of a permanent toilet fixture, as there is uncertainty about potential changes to the law and the definition of what might comply in future. OPTION 1 Setting up the vehicle for a current CSC which meets the NZ Standard now, will give 2 years of use after any law changes: you would still be able to use your vehicle for freedom camping at CSC-restricted sites until 2025 (when the proposed changes come into force). This gives time to consider options for a retro-fit or change to potentially new products which may meet the toilet standards in future. OPTION 2 Hold off on toilet facility decisions until the new regulations become clear. The Select Committee is due to report on this bill March 2023. It still has to go through Parliament after that. OPTION 3 If space and budget allows, look at fitting a cassette-style toilet with a permanently fixed base, which is likely to comply. Fingers crossed. Remember there is no suggestion of a separate cubicle/room for the toilet; nor a need for a shower. Camping responsibly 2023-style Whatever happens with the law, or not, it is important you are ‘self-contained’ and can leave no trace, for your own comfort, health and safety. If you want to stay on local authority land restricted by bylaws, certifying your set-up gives that extra freedom and is a future-proofing move. There are several authorised inspection services available to certify prior to any law changes later in 2023. Check the business listings in this magazine or online ( North Island | South Island ) , and shop around for someone who seems helpful, sensible and well-informed on the correct, current requirements. See also What’s in a name? Feeedom camping bylaws Waiting on a law change Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 19

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Red lights at night ©2025 Andrew Morton Always brings a smile & laugh The red lights? Andrew Morton I thought ‘I must have one of those’, so Retrocampers added a stripe of LED lights when building the teardrop. My wife thought I was nuts! I assured her the orange colour would repel mozzies (not sure about that) but she loves seeing the photos now & calls it my fairy grotto. It’s like having the glow of a camp fire, without the fire risk. A party for one! Always brings a smile & laugh to my mates’ faces when they see them. March ’24 ©2025 Andrew Morton Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 11

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Vodafone coverage 2Degrees coverage Spark coverage Here are the steps: • First: understand what you want or need. • Second: find out what is available and what it costs. • Third sleep on it, ask around, sleep on it again. • Fourth: decide between using a mobile phone, a modem (or satellite) for the internet. • Fifth: review available plans. Choose. Maybe sleep on it again. • Sixth: Sign up. Choosing an internet provider Miriam Richardson It’s a thorny problem, deciding how to connect to the internet on the road — so many different choices, plans and options; so many unfamiliar concepts. Here’s a ‘simple’ guide. Step 1: Assessing your needs How much data do you use in a month? Will this change if you are on the road rather than at home? On the road you might use internet data to watch films, videos, tv. Standard definition might use 1g of data every hour; super high definition could be as high as 15g per hour. Does your data-use vary much from month to month? Some plans are unlimited but they might slow down if you have used a lot of data. Others are limited but you might be able to buy extra data in months when you need it. Does the internet speed matter to you? If you download things like movies and TV to watch later, speed is less of an issue. If watching things live matters to you, then speed does matter. Whereabouts are you going to travel? There is variation in coverage for the internet. There are areas with no coverage at all. If your travels keep you pretty much near towns or cities you have more choices than if they take you into the wilds. How important is it to have internet access all the time? There might be some places in NZ you can’t go if you need the internet all the time. You can add aerials to extend your coverage, but you need the sort that you set up outside your vehicle, in just the right spot to catch a signal, to make a significant difference in internet coverage. Does your vehicle pose any limitations on phone signals? If you need an aerial to sit outside your vehicle (usually the roof) to get a signal, this will determine the kind of device you use to connect to the internet as not all devices have a fitting for an aerial (mobile phones, for instance). Mobile phone, modem or satellite for the internet? You might want to wait until you have looked at the plans to make up your mind on this, but it worth thinking about the practicalities in advance. Here is a video about using a satellite connection: ckw.nz/satellite . Hardware and its installation You can use your mobile phone to access the internet, or you can use a modem. Integrating a modem into an rv’s 12v electrical system requires a voltage smoother (and someone to install it). You might need an aerial on the roof (that’s another hole in your roof and someone to install it) to capture the signal outside the box of the vehicle; or a freestanding aerial that you can set up when you stop in remote areas. What can you afford? Sometimes we have to choose what we can afford rather than the choice that most closely matches our wants or needs. You need to consider both the initial cost which might include a modem, the ongoing monthly costs, and the cost of any possible add-ons like extra data for busy months or extra hardware and its installation. Step 2: What is on offer? Armed with a clear idea about your needs, you can now scope out what is on offer from the different providers. Check out those dedicated to mobile internet as well as mobile phone providers. At this step, ask questions but agree to nothing. The plans and costs • What plans seem to meet your needs? • Does tying yourself to a contract give you a discount worthy of the bond? • Is there a choice of combining mobile phone/s and internet? Do the dollars stack up? • Are you looking at a joint/ family kind of arrangement rather than individual? • Can you join on to a family member’s existing plan? • Can you use the one arrangement both at home and while on the road? Its worth talking to others about their experiences with a company and looking at reviews. Reviews here: ckw.nz/glimp-rural | ckw.nz/glimp-mobile Assessing a provider How is their admin process: contracts, charging and paying? (don't assume the helpfulness of sales staff reflects what happens on their help desk, they are often a different team.) How is their help desk: helpfulness, their hours, phone / email access? Do you care if the helpdesk is NZ-based or not? Do they offer any discounts for a group you belong to? Netspeed offers a discount for All Points Camping members. Wireless Nation offers a discount for NZMCA members. Check any other of your group memberships for discounts. Step 3: Consider these dimensions of difference Service / reputation. Coverage (where you can get a signal) Using a phone, modem or satellite? Speed & gigabytes. Installation issues. Costs, contracts, discounts. How long is a piece of string? Armed with a clear idea of what you need and questions to ask, you can navigate the thickets of promotional-speak to make a good choice of internet provider. If you are still uncertain, start with an easier, cheaper option, and change up if or when you feel a need. Keep on asking and listening to others’ experiences with their internet provider. Keep yourself ready for change. Check out last issue’s article on 'Getting the internet on the road' ckw.nz/internet-road . Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 27

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption more adventurous places where you will be cast on your own resources STOP and STAY Stop and Stay: City dwellers: 2nd camp: more adventurous Last issue we looked at some safe places to go for a first camp away from the city ( ckw.nz/first-camp ), this time we suggest more adventurous places, where you will be cast on your own resources more, but still less than 3hrs from home. You will need to pick a safe site (ground firm? branches that might fall? if there is a flood in the night? (more: ckw.nz/choosing-a-spot ) remember to bring everything you need (all the pegs and all the poles, the water) etc.) Not all of these allow dogs/pets. Here is a selection of dog friendly places: ckw.nz/dog-stop-stay or check out all our listings here: stopaandstay.org . More on camping with pets. Auckland campers Tuppence Parkover • DRIVE: 1:46hr Pirongia, Waikato • FEE: yes. • Must be self-contained. • Dogs on leads. Private POP, near the village. Base for walks in the forest park: extinct volcanoes, caves, dramatic gorges. Image ©Tuppence Parkover Horahora • DRIVE: 1:49hr Waikato • Free, max 2 nights. • Dog friendly. • Toilets. On the banks of the Waikato River. Swim, boat, fish, paddle board, row. ckw.nz/horahora Image: ©2023 Angela Bryan Uretiti Beach (DOC) • DRIVE: 1:52hr Northland • FEE: yes. Must book. • Toilets. Safe water. Hot showers. • No dogs, no fires. Walks. On the Te Araroa Trail. Swim at the patrolled beach. ckw.nz/doc-uretiti | More Image: ©2024 Roland Jones Parua Bay • DRIVE: 2:19hr Northland • Free, max 3 nights. • Toilets. SC not required. • Dogs OK. Beachside reserve with a boat ramp. Swim, fish, kayak etc. ckw.nz/parua-bay Image: ©Brendan Pol Hamilton campers Ray’s Rest • DRIVE: 1:14hr Firth of Thames • Free, max 2 nights. • Must be self-contained. • No dogs. • More Beside the sea, beside a bird sanctuary. Image: ©2024 M Richardson Ocean Haven Farm, Otaua, North Waikato • DRIVE: 1:21hr • FEE: yes. ckw.nz/ocean-haven • Pets ok on leads. North of the river mouth on the coast. byo water and, optionally, horse. Image ©Ocean Haven Farm Lake Whakamaru Reserve, Waikato • DRIVE: 1:26hr • Free. >2 nights you need a (free) permit. • Toilets, BBQ, boat ramp. • Dogs allowed. ckw.nz/whakamaru On the banks of the Waikato River, on the River Trails. Read more Image: ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Whakaipo Bay (DOC), Taupo • DRIVE: 2:03hr • Free. ckw.nz/doc-whakaipo • Must be self-contained. No tents. • No fires. • Dogs allowed, under control. On the shores of Lake Taupo. Bike tracks, walks. Read more Image: ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Wellington campers Kaitoke, Hutt Valley, Hutt Valley • DRIVE: 0:44hr • FEE: yes. ckw.nz/kaitoke • Fires allowed in some places. • Dogs ok, under control. Camp, swim, tramp, bike, kayak, raft, picnic. Image: © NZ Fun Adventures Morisons, Greytown, Wairarapa • DRIVE: 1:16hr • FEE: yes. ckw.nz/morisons-50yrs • No fires. Dogs on leads. • No-flush toilet. Under trees by the Ruamahanga River. Swim, fish, paddle board, kayak. Read. Image: ©Bette Cosgrove Totara Reserve, Pohangina, Manawatu • DRIVE: 2:16hr • FEE: yes. totarareserveregionalpark.co.nz • Un/powered sites. • No dogs. Native forest, walking tracks, swimming holes, adventure playground. Image: ©Totara Reserve Kai Iwi Campground, Whanganui • DRIVE: 2:36hr • FEE: yes; discount: APC & NZMCA. • No fires. Dogs on leads mostly. By the sea. Fish, walk, swim (summer patrol), playground. Family-friendly. Nearby: Bason Botanical Gardens & Westmere Lake wildlife reserve. kaiiwibeach.co.nz Image: ©2024 M Richardson Christchurch campers Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury • DRIVE: 1:02hr Inland scenic route • FEE: yes. rakaiagorgecamp.net • Water, toilets, kitchen-shelter; hot showers in summer. • Dogs on leads. Winter: open with honesty box. Beside the gorge bridge, looks out over the valley. DOC walk, jet boat, fish. ckw.nz/doc-rakaia Image: © Rakaia Gorge Campground Lake Pearson (DOC), Arthurs Pass • DRIVE: 1:34hr • FEE: yes. Must book. • No-flush toilets. SC not required. • No dogs, fires, or power boats. In the Craigieburn Forest Park. Tents OK. Swimming, walks, wildlife. ckw.nz/doc-lake-pearson Image: ©2024 M Richardson Peel Forest (DOC), Sth Canterbury • DRIVE: 1:47hr • FEE: yes. Must book. • No pets of any kind. No fires. • Showers, flush toilets, kitchen. Accessible facilities. Un/power sites. No internet or mobiles. ckw.nz/doc-peel-forest Image: ©DOC Lake Camp, HIgh Country, Mid Canterbury • DRIVE: 1:50hr • Free. Donation box. • No dogs. ckw.nz/lake-camp • No-flush toilet. Lord of the Rings country behind Mt Somers. Beautiful. More in issue 1 and issue 8 . Image ©2024 Linda Butler Dunedin campers Trotters Gorge Camp (DOC), North Otago • DRIVE: 1hr • FEE: yes. Must book. • No-flush toilet. • No fires. Dogs on leads. Camp in the bush. Geosite. River-sculpted caves, sea views, birds. Too wet for vehicles in winter. ckw.nz/doc-trotters ckw.nz/doc-trotters-tracks ckw.nz/geosite-trotters Image: © Whitestone Geopark. Slope Point, Catlins, Southland • DRIVE: 2:43hr • Free. • No-flush toilet. Roomy. An easy flat walk across private farmland to the point (no access during lambing, Sep–Nov). Image ©2024 Tony Knight Bendigo, Cromwell, Central Otago • DRIVE: 2:5hr • Free, max 3 nights. • Tents ok. Large vehicles. • Toilets, rubbish bins, boat ramp. • A LINZ campsite. ckw.nz/linz Swim, fish, kayak, paddle-board. Image: ©2024 M Richardson Lake Poaka (DOC), McKenzie Country • DRIVE: 3hr • Free, max 4 nights. • No-flush toilet. • Tents are ok; no need to be SC. • No dogs. No open fires. more ckw.nz/doc-poaka Image: ©2024 M Richardson ◊ Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 42