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- new-law
5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Issues in making this real Freedom camping under the new law Miriam Richardson There are new penalties and some exemptions There are now fines of $400–1200 for freedom camping or preparing to freedom camp, in the wrong place. The homeless are exempt from most (but not all) of the new penalties. Note 1 Are you homeless, or making a lifestyle choice? The legislators were keen to prevent people who have chosen to live on the road from claiming to be homeless (and exempt), so changed the definition of ‘homeless’ for the purpose of this act. Homeless doesn’t mean not having a home to go to, it means being ‘unable to live in appropriate residential accommodation’, with the definition of ‘residential accommodation’ being revised to include ‘accommodation in a dwelling house, flat, hotel, motel, boarding house, or camping ground’; and, no stone unturned, ‘camping ground’ is redefined to include ‘any site at which a fee is payable for camping’. Unless you are ‘unable’ to live in a motel or camping ground etc, you are not ‘homeless’, and not exempt from this act. Note 2 It is also now an offence if a person makes ‘preparations’ to freedom camp in the wrong place. This is defined as ‘setting up a tent’ or ‘parking a vehicle’ to use to freedom camp. Short term parking, day-trip excursions, and recovering from driver fatigue are not ‘freedom camping’. Note 3 Who gets fined and how they are notified Fines can be levied either on the person accused of doing wrong or the vehicle owner. Further, even if you never actually receive the notice of an offence, you are still liable. Enforcement sends an email and you are ‘served’. Note 4 The law is vague Are you ‘unable’ to stay in this campground? The homeless definition does not define what ‘unable’ means. A motel or camping ground is too far away (what is ‘too far’)? Not enough money to pay (is having 1 night’s worth of dollars for a camp ground enough) (what about night 2)? The camping ground is not open when the person arrives in a town? The law does not define ‘appropriate’ accommodation. Personal circumstances will determine what counts as ‘appropriate’ but does the camper’s judgement count? What counts as ‘preparing’ to freedom camp? Putting out a chair? Drying a tea towel? Using an awning? Everything that is part of camping can also be part of an exempt day-excursion. Councils and enforcement officers Councils are tasked with translating the vague law into working rules for their officers to apply in real life. Is this vehicle: parked, day-tripping, freedom camping or is the driver recovering from driver fatigue? Is this person homeless? Is this person preparing to freedom camp? It so hard (impossible?) to evaluate intentions. If homlessness depends on what is available, then the enforcement officer will need to assess local accomodation in relation to this person and this vehicle. Is local accomodation available, appropriate, affordable for this traveller? Is a local, paid, parking site / camp ground able to take this particular vehicle? Can it take this length of vehicle? Are there parking or driving hazards: is the driveway wide enough without scratching the vehicle, will it fit under the trees (without damaging panels and vents on the roof), are both the driver and vehicle able to negotiate the gate, a bend on the drive? Is the ground firm enough for the weight of this vehicle (at this time of year, in this weather, after tonight’s rain)? Councils will need procedures for responding to alleged offences, as campers and councils work out how to bring the new laws into real life. Notes Note 1 (Section 5, 2a, FCA † ) (FCP † ) Note 2 (Section 5, 3b, FCA † ) Note 3 (Section 20, 2b, FCA † ) (Section 5, 2, FCA † ) Note 4 (Section 27 A, 2, FCA † ) † FCA: Freedom Camping Act 2011 † FCP: Freedom Camping (Penalties for Infringement Offences) Regulations 2023 Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 2
- camping-train
Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption summ-kekerengu-H-cara-train.jpg GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE The temptation was too much The Camping Train Linda Butler A short notice decision was made to hold a camping train as there were 3 events being held during March at Havelock, Nelson and Greymouth. The temptation was too much for me, so we decided to give it a go. We called each destination a station just for fun. It was early March. One other member (Angela) joined us for the entire trip. We left home on the Tuesday prior to the Havelock camp. Julie was able to share the first two nights with us. One was spent at the Parnassus NZMCA camp, the next at Conway Flats beside the sea. (Yes, got to see some dolphins jumping and playing in the surf!). We said our goodbyes to Julie and travelled along the coast. We were uncertain of where to stop but decided on Kekerengu. We were thrilled to meet up with Carolyn here on her return home from her holidays. Friday, we continued to our club event destination at Waves Campground for the Havelock Mussel Festival camp. None of us were mussel eaters but were happy to enjoy the Blenheim team chatter over the weekend. Too soon it was Monday and time to move on. There were a number of options available, but we decided on Okiwi Bay. Oh wow. We loved it so much that we stayed for 4 nights. I highly recommend the Mail Run out to French Pass. We went into many little bays along the way. The road went from sealed to gravel to almost dirt! The scenery along the way is amazing. Our driver was knowledgeable about the area and also the fauna, almost sharing in Angela’s passion for foraging. We had lunch at French Pass and watched the stingray before the return to camp. Filled in most of the day. Not bad for $35. Time to move on again, we sadly left this stunning area and headed for Tahuna Beach Holiday Park where we met up with the team from Nelson! A member left their coffee cup with us in Ashburton. So we are taking it with us on our camping train. Here it is at the Tahuna camp café, with friends. Angela enjoyed catching up with old friends who lived in the area. We had coffees at the camp café — they do some scrumptious nibbles. I’ll never forget the Saturday evening meal at the Pirate Pub known as the Smugglers Pub and Café: fun atmosphere there. Washing was done; groceries topped up. Too soon the weekend was over. Time to move on. We travelled down the West Coast. Our first night was at the Kohatu Flat Rock Café. There is a grassed area at the back on the left where we perched on our chairs in the shade of the trees. It was so hot. I didn’t scream when I saw a rat run down a young tree. Thankfully it took off into the bushes. LOL. From here we went to Murchison NZMCA camp via St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti. We were amazed at the eels! They live under the boat ramp. 200 years old! It poured with rain in Murchison. West Coast pour — for hours… Here I learnt that I need to think of rainy-day activities for those times we get such long periods of inactivity. Murchison We were here for two wet nights. Tony and Lynn joined up with us here and continued with us on the rest of the journey. Angela stayed a 3rd night at Murchison, whereas we moved on to the Fox River freedom camp. We were very near the road but there was little traffic at night. We also happened to be camping on the night that the muso’s had their weekly Wednesday jamming night. I slept through most of it. LOL. Once in Greymouth we thought we would brave it and stay at Cobden Bridge freedom camp for the night. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We topped up on groceries again then headed to our final camp. Nelson Creek Reserve. What an awesome spot. (Nelson Creek photos ©2025 Penny Coleman) The Greymouth crew treated us to open fires, fossicking, metal detecting, bush walks and more. What a good way to finish our 3-week-plus journey. We went home with dirty washing, weary, but smiles on our faces and good memories to store away (and share at a future camp). 🏕️ Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 30
- steampunk-2021
1 Spring 2022 A Trifecta in Hauraki: The Maritime Museum, Rays Rest & Steampunk The Thames Up Gary Stoneley We always enjoy our trips to Thames and often stay at the Miranda Holiday Park for a day or two beforehand. This time, however, we spent the Monday night at The Maritime Museum at Paeroa and freedom camped at Ray’s Rest (Kaiaua) the next night. The Maritime Museum is just a few kilometres out of Paeroa, heading west and well worth a stop. Run by trustees and volunteers there has been a considerable amount of time and money put into developing the facilities. The museum is full of interesting memorabilia and volunteers have a wealth of knowledge on the early history of the district. The volunteers operate daily boat trips from the park and the trustees are developing the venue for summer concerts. This is most definitely one venue worth stopping at and for overnight camping, with on-site toilets and optional power available for a small charge. Traveling on from the museum to Rays Rest is an easy 35-minute drive and we arrived there just after midday. At the southern end of the Firth of Thames inlet, this area is rather exposed but a very picturesque location. The expansive views, sheer quantity and depth of deposited shells and variety of birdlife are serene and peaceful making it hard to leave. Just down from Ray’s rest is the Pūkorokoro Shorebird Centre at Miranda. This is another worthwhile stop if you are in the area, that also provides overnight accommodation. With the 2020 Steampunk event cancelled due to the pandemic, the event was rescheduled for the school holidays and the new ANZAC weekend. We made this a combined event between All Points Camping, the Bay of Plenty Caravan Club, and the South Auckland Caravan Club. Being in the first week of the school holidays we we able to camp at the Thames South School from Wednesday to Sunday. Over the 5 days, we had in excess of 35 groups join us for Steampunk fun. The Thames community went all out for the weekend events and the Saturday parade was, as always, a lot of fun. A final highlight for Bev and I on this trip was doing the tour of the Thames Goldmine which included going into the mine and seeing the amazing ‘stampers’’ and other machinery in operation. For us, it was a fantastic time away. There is something special about the history of the Thames and Coromandel area and still so much more to explore. BY: Gary Stoneley Photos: ©2022 Gary Stoneley, Miriam Richardson, The Maritime Musem, Steampunk the Thames and Thames Goldmine. 11–13 Nov 2022, Thames All Points Camping are hosting a camp for the weekend. RSVP Circuspunk 2022 Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS A fantastic time away Steampunk 2021 Ray's Rest, Kaiaua, Firth of Thames Goldmine in Thames Steampunk 2021 1/6
- ticked-off
3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Another thing ticked off Roland Jones The envelope arrived with my All Points Member pack. I found the decal and first thing I did was to place it on the back of my campervan. Another thing I can tick off in preparation for my 10 week South Island trip starting end March. Roland ©2023 Roland Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 29
- fix-a-potty
9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Teresa Hall THe Fix-a-Potty™️ installed ©2024 Teresa Hall THe Fix-a-Potty™️ showing how the lower cassette can be removed. ©2024 Teresa Hall Showing how the Fix-a-Potty™️ works ©2024 Teresa Hall Fix-a-Potty™️ installed ©2024 Teresa Hall The Fix-a-Potty™️ bracket ©2024 Teresa Hall It was disheartening to see everyone discarding their small portable toilets. Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™ Teresa Hall I’m a Kiwi with a small family, and have a deep passion for exploring New Zealand. My interest in the NZ campervan community has grown significantly over the past year and a half. After purchasing a campervan for our travels, I quickly realised how expensive it was to maintain, so I began renting it out to offset the costs. The success of that venture led me to purchase a second campervan, allowing us to use our one more frequently. When I needed to get my campers self-contained, I found it incredibly challenging to find accurate information on the process. Determined to understand it fully, I educated myself around self-containment. As my knowledge grew, I noticed how many others were struggling with the same issues, so I decided to create a website — a one-stop resource for all the information people need. Then, when the regulations changed, I saw people with small campers equipped with oversized toilets because the only fixed options on the market had capacities for four or more people. It was also disheartening to see everyone discarding their small portable toilets, which felt like an environmental disaster. That’s when Fix-a-Potty™ was born! Throughout this journey, I’ve learned a lot about creating and selling products. It’s not as straightforward as it seems. From building a website, setting up e-commerce, and handling accounting; to dealing with pricing, approval, patenting, trademarking, copywriting, packaging, logistics, production, design, marketing, and customer correspondence… The list is endless. My respect for anyone who sells products has grown immensely. 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. We are New Zealand owned and operated and all our products are made here in Aotearoa by awesome New Zealanders. And you know what! If I spot one of my brackets in your campers I will be really chuffed. ◼️ Website: more details or to buy: fixapotty.co.nz Facebook: ckw.nz/fb-fixapotty Images ©2024 Teresa Hall Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 23
- celebrating
7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Celebrating Summer Celebrating Summer Editor Six pages of stories from around the country and the season. EXPLORE THE STORIES Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 5
- summer-23, looking-good
Looking good. I hit the Patrol with the automotive cleaner from motomuck and the old girl’s looking better than ever! Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Looking good Up Jayme Groeneveld Looking good. I hit the Patrol with the automotive cleaner from motomuck and the old girl’s looking better than ever! ©2023 Jayme Groeneveld Chillybin Adventures Instagram Up Up tiny-chilly-rooftoptent-clean_1211_mw.webp tiny-chilly-rooftoptent-clean_1211_mw.webp 1/1
- rarangi
3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption STOP and STAY Rarangi DOC campground: Stop and stay Miriam Richardson By the sea, only twenty minutes from Blenheim, Marlborough, Rarangi is an easy flat drive. It has hard-stand sites, grassy sites, plenty of room for tenting, flush toilets and cold showers. You dont have to book, there are 55 sites and you can use a DOC campsite pass. Children under 5 are free, over 5 are $5, and everyone over 18 is $10 a night. The beach is stony, with views down to Marfells Beach and Cape Campbell. You can swim and fish at the beach. There are walks up into the hills, and round to the smaller bays. Lovely spot. http://ckw.nz/doc-pass | http://ckw.nz/rarangi Check out our Stop and Stay listings for recommended places to stop and stay on your travels around the top of NZ. Only the best. www.stopandstay.org Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 33
- campfest-set-up
7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Setting up at Campfest. Bulls, Rangatikei. ©2024 Tracey Davis. Setting up at Campfest Tracey Davis Setting up at Campfest, Bulls, Feb 24. ©2024 Tracey Davis. (Rooftop tents will not be able to get a green warrant. Ed) Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 2
- sc-what-to-do
6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption pgdb-logo.webp What to do? Miriam Richardson With the new self-containment system in disarray ( see p13 ), what do you do with your new build, conversion or upgrade? Four choices. Put it off for now. Wait to see if the new government will make changes which may remove the need or determine what work is required. Build/upgrade to meet the existing standard + fixed toilet (NZS 5465:2001) before June 2024 . Good for freedom camping until June 2025 (good elsewhere for 4 years). Decide not to freedom camp. Build/upgrade to meet the existing standard with a portable toilet. You can go to places like DOC, park over properties, and events that require certification. You can also use private campgrounds or join NZMCA for access to their national network of parks. Find a testing officer if you can ( p13 ). Ask what he wants you to do. Do it. Be one of the first with a green card More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 4
- rv-services-1
6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption RV-Business-Services_MW.webp Rv & Camper services Find rv and camping services. Any relevant business can list; it is free. Anyone can recommend a business to add to the list. No endorsement is implied. The thumbs up shows people you can ask, if you are stuck. Their local knowledge can help you find the service you need. North Island listings South Island Listings Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 40
- new-year
11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption waihora_H-Linda-7.webp ©2025 Linda Butler waihora_tony-5.webp ©2025 Tony Knights waihora_Linda-1 2.webp ©2025 Linda Butler The Motukārara Races held their annual New Year event on 29 December. We positioned our chairs in a semi-circle to watch the cars arrive. ©2025 Linda Butler The Motukārara Races held their annual New Year event on 29 December. We positioned our chairs in a semi-circle to watch the cars arrive. ©2025 Linda Butler Caroline, Penny and I went for a short ride on the Rail Trail. Me on my scooter and she on her bike. ©2025 Linda Butler Pets are allowed at Waihora. ©2025 Tony Knights GO TO Here & there last summer a base for exploring the nearby Banks Peninsula New Year at Waihora Domain Linda Butler This venue is our favourite go-to for Christmas due to its proximity to everything. If you are travelling or want company for Christmas next year, do consider joining us. Motukārara is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Christchurch. Toilet, fresh water, BBQ, playground. $10 per vehicle per night. Pets okay. It is a perfect location as a base for exploring the nearby Banks Peninsula (Akaroa, Okains Bay) Little River, Lincoln and more. It is the gateway to the Motukārara Rail Trail leading to Little River, passing Birdlings Flat along the way. The trail to Lincoln is in the opposite direction. Lincoln or Halswell are the nearest for groceries and laundry. There is also a swimming pool at Halswell. Dump stations are located at Rhodes Park in Tai Tapu or Rolleston. We enjoyed 2 weeks here where we met up with members from as far away as Taranaki, Oxford, Ashburton and many from Christchurch. Some stayed a night or two, others a week, another couple the entire 2 weeks. We also welcomed a lot of day visitors this season, met new members and welcomed others to the club. Christmas Day, Denise and Kelvin from Taranaki joined us for lunch. Yes, we even had some pudding. (A couple of others were staying but went home to families for lunch due to the close proximity of the camp to their homes). Boxing Day saw a few more campers staying and we had a combined tea with the main drawcard being the roast lamb cooked by Parky and Liz. We all contributed something to the table. It poured with rain but the gazebo kept us kind of snug. We spent a large part of our time sitting around chatting and camp watching (as we do). Caroline, Penny and I went for a short ride on the Rail Trail. Me on my scooter and she on her bike. We only went 4 kilometres in as the winds were a bit harsh. Still, we enjoyed the little we accomplished. Over the next few days some of the group enjoyed day trips to neighbouring towns including popular Little River, Akaroa and nearby Birdlings Flat. I have fond memories of there as a child fossicking for precious stones. Some of us also went ‘around the block.’ It is 4 kilometres on a mix of shingle and sealed roads. Ray took advantage of a moment for a teaching lesson (p11) on his new water bladder and a water pump which runs off his cordless drill. Interesting and tempting to purchase! The Motukārara Races held their annual New Year event on 29 December. We positioned our chairs in a semi-circle to watch the cars arrive. Most went through the gate on the boundary of the race track. The domain soon filled with parked cars. A few just stayed around their vehicles or the trees and picnicked while making their bets and listening to the race over the loud speaker. New Year was reasonably quiet for us. I do not think any of our group stayed up to see it in. Yes, we are party poopers… lol! The weather was mean to us this season. It was temperamental. Vicious hot sun one day, pouring with rain the next. We did enjoy an old movie in the caravan awning, but I think a projector would give us a bigger screen. Not on the urgent list to purchase. Now we look forward to next year! n Images: ©2025 Linda Butler and Tony Knights. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 36











