It was a winter stay by the river in Reefton, on The West Coast. We are allowed 2 consecutive nights (certified self-contained). Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Reefton Up Miriam Richardson STOP and STAY It was a winter stay by the river in Reefton, on The West Coast. We are allowed 2 consecutive nights (certified self-contained). Right next door is the hotel which is a free pop (if you buy something in the hotel), so you can swap between these two if you want a longer stay in Reefton. There’s a lovely walk along the river, past the summer pool to the camping ground. Return via the main street, Broadway, which has a number of cafes each with food worth a try. (Image, Broadway, Stewart Nimmo, CC BY-SA 4.0) There’s lots of historical interest here. The visitors’ centre has engaging historical work on the coal mines which gave us this town, including a replica underground mine. Reefton was the first town in NZ to get electric street lights, powered by the Reefton Power Station on the Inangahua River, way back in 1888. There are several walking tracks, including one to the site of the power station, a tramping track, and track for experienced off-road cyclists. Snow on the hills behind Reefton. ©2023 M Richardson Uncredited photos ©2023 M Richardson STOP and STAY Where to stop when travelling and camping in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. Stop and Stay is a free resource for NZ campers and travellers, brought to you by campers for campers. It might be a country pub for a meal, a rural property, a council reserve, a DOC camp; it might be a commercial campground or a unique day-stop or cafe. Please add your recommendations to the list. Anyone one can access the list or make recommendations. It’s free, too, for property owners to be on the list. Remember to always check with hosts first — phone numbers are provided on most listings, and keep in mind that some properties have restrictions. Dog-friendly properties are indicated on each listing, as are wheelchair accessible properties. STOP and STAY | Add a place to Stop and Stay Up Up SStay-Reefton2-MNR_mw.webp SStay-Reefton-MNR4_mw.webp SStay-Reefton_Stewart_Nimmo_CC_mw.webp SStay-Reefton2-MNR_mw.webp 1/4

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Autumn Gold favourite tips and tricks for cold Winter tips from our previous issues Editor Winter tips never go out of date... Winter’s here… Here’s a few favourite tips and tricks for keeping warm, dealing with cold, wind, rainy days, and embracing the colder months outdoors. ckw.nz/winter-tips Photo © 2023 Bette Cosgrove TIPS for the cold Camping in the winter (tent or van) needs to be pretty organised and good gear is needed. I do most things, from being out and about in my van to tramping and snow-holeing. ckw.nz/tips-cold Photo ©2022 Daniel Munro More cold season tips Sharing our best hacks which made life so much easier on a recent Matariki vanning trip. ckw.nz/tips-cold-more Photo ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Insulation: Preparing for the cold winter “brrrrrr’s” Darn, we could only get the new heater up to 10ºC on that night, and woke to a -3ºC frost. Eventually we were told the poor insulation and many windows in the bus were the problem. ckw.nz/brrrr Photo ©2023 Linda Butler Pegs for tough weather A commercial and a DIY (metal) version of a peg for windy weather. ckw.nz/pegs-for-wind . Photo ©2023 M Richardson A stove jack Best mod for camping so far, a stove jack sewn into the awning. ckw.nz/stove-jack Photo ©2023 Keil MacDiarmid It was cold at Mavora Lakes I think the Mrs thought I was a bit crazy suggesting a night away in the van this time of year. ckw. ckw.nz/mavora-cold Photo ©2022 Daniel Munro Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 31

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans Funnily enough, our business name ‘Cruzar’, came from our old dog! Converting your camper van: The Cruzar Campervan story Brenda Brian Funnily enough, our business name ‘Cruzar’, came from our old dog! Every time we opened a van door, he’d happily jump in and explore. Just look at that face. My partner Andy and I kicked off Cruzar Custom Campervans 5 years ago. It felt like a natural next step since 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 and let’s just say, a change in lifestyle was calling our names! In 2019 we bought and converted a charming 1991 Toyota named Goldie (above right). We had our very first official holiday together in him. Sadly, it was also our last… haha! We started Cruzar after that, and the rest is history! Why not do it yourself? Most people come to us for two reasons: our high quality, custom-built fit-outs and superb customer service. Andy, as an expert coach builder and trained engineer, has a handle on all things conversion. I work with the build and design side of the conversions and handle all customer inquiries. In other words, I’m the happy one on the end of CCC’s phone! Our conversions are bespoke — tailored to each client’s unique wants and needs. We keep our clients involved every step of the way, always ensuring they’re happy with our progress. At the start, they share what they envision for the conversion, and we share our ideas, products and designs. Then we get to work on bringing their ideas to life! People come to us at different stages — some already with a van, others without, and others with a van that only needs a partial conversion. Sometimes we guide people in vehicle choice, depending on the budget and size they want to work with, whether it be a vehicle big enough for a family or a couple doing short trips. Changes along the way … …when the initial design is far from the end conversion? We always strive to communicate the final plan clearly in order to avoid changes during the building process. If a new idea pops up, we’re open to it, but we try to stick to the original plan as much as possible. We believe in open communication and never make changes without keeping our clients in the loop. Say we realise during the build that there is more room for the bed than first anticipated — we’d chat with you to see if you’d like to go bigger or use the space differently. We’re always very conscious of not over-capitalising on a build. If someone is looking at doing something where an alternative could be used, we’ll share that idea. Vans for rent vs vans for personal use Through our years of experience, we’ve learned a lot about what people enjoy in vans. Both for personal and rental vans, we take on owners’ feedback to ensure their fit-outs are versatile, well-spaced, and feel just right. When converting vans for rental, we take all these insights into account, striving for adaptability and smart use of space. We want everyone to feel comfortable and avoid that cramped feeling. When it comes to personal vans, it’s all about tailoring the design to what that particular person envisions. We listen closely to their ideas and build from there, making sure it’s a perfect fit! Concerns about getting a professional conversion People worry about what happens if they want to make changes during the build, given we usually buy the materials and products in advance. Changes can slow things down, and are often difficult to execute when a client has a tight timeframe. We always do our best to be flexible, but the truth is that less interruptions mean a smoother ride! People often wonder about the “by-hand” aspect. How can we guarantee great results? Reassurance and clear communication are the answers. We trust each other in each unique, custom-built journey, ensuring each van is built with care, not computer systems. Layouts and what goes into the van can be a concern. We guide our clients through this, stressing the importance of taking time to get it right. At the beginning, they usually send us photos and ideas of what they want. Then, we work with them to fill in any gaps and ensure they haven’t missed anything, like how they’re going to power the van or heat it. “Have you thought about…?” is our go-to question! Colours, themes, and interior design also worry some people. We collaborate on these aspects, assisting with colour schemes and creating a harmonious design. If they’re handy with wiring or interior design, we work with their skills, weaving everything together for a beautiful, cohesive look. Plus, we’re happy to work with clients all over the country, and even those abroad! Distance isn’t a barrier for crafting the perfect van. The process It differs, but generally it goes something like this: Inquiry and introduction. We tell the client who we are and what we offer and they decide whether we’re the right fit for them. First meet (in person if they’re near, video call if they’re remote). We take all their ideas, draft a layout and put together a plan of action. If they’re happy with everything, we organise a start date and ask for a 50% deposit. Drop off. The client brings their vehicle round. We go through the plan and tick everything off to ensure understanding both ways is clear. Conversion begins. First, we strip the van out, put down a new floor, mark out and measure the new layout. First check-in. Once that’s complete, we have the client come back / video call again to check that they’re happy with progress. At that point, any changes that they want made, we can. Conversion continues. After we’ve finalised the colour scheme, we start the building process. Regular check-ins. The beginning of the build is quite slow and unexciting with just plumbing and wiring, so we just give fortnightly updates. Then, we give weekly updates as the build proceeds. Some people like to see photos of finished van but the majority like to get a surprise and see it for the first time when they pick it up. So around two weeks prior we stop sending photos so there is a surprise. Pick-up. Clients pay their final invoice, and then arrive to do a tour of the van. We show them how everything works and reassure them that we’re available afterwards for them to give us a call if they have any questions. We understand that there’s heaps to take in when they pick it up, so it’s totally understandable that they will have follow ups! Before they head off, we always like to make them aware that because it’s a new conversion there could be some squeaks. We do a “squeak test” before they go out, but there is usually a settling in period. We have an open-door policy. People can call in and have a look whenever they like. The most common kind of builds: pros and cons One of the hottest trends right now is having a permanent bed with lots of storage underneath. People are still 50/50 on showers. Those who go for one tend to opt for an external shower for more space inside and a cheaper price. For cooking, slide-out kitchens on the passenger’s side still tend to be the most popular. People adore these because they can whip up meals under the awning, it keeps the camper’s interior smelling fresh, and it’s removable so you can easily take the cooker to the beach or a picnic table. Hot water is a mixed bag — those turning their vans into homes usually go for it, while weekend adventurers might settle for a cold splash. And guess what? Everyone’s going solar and LED and lithium batteries are the new cool kids on the block. Roxy, our favourite conversion We had a blast building a 1993 Toyota Coaster! The design, the colours, the cozy seating area, and that kitchen layout were simply fantastic, and the clients were just awesome. And then there’s Roxy, my absolute favourite project (above). I guess I liked converting her so much because I had total creative control, and was able to freely play around with colours and designs. It’s so inviting and comfy, giving you that light, open, and clean vibe. And you wouldn’t guess it, but the colour scheme all started with this one cushion from Briscoes. Having hot water, a Max fan, and a gas cooker inside is just the extra layer of luxury I wanted in a camper. It was a bit like a creative playground because we could show our clients what we’re capable of without any pressure. Fun times indeed!◼️ Cruzar Custom Campervans Ohoka, Rangiora, Christchurch cruzarcustomcampervans.co.nz cruzar.customcampervans@gmail.com facebook.com/Cruzarcustom Images ©2024 Cruzar Custon Campervans Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 11

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Waikawa Bay PHOTO: Axel Dressel Boathouse at Waikawa Bay ©2024 Shellie Evans Waikawa Bay Waikawa Bay Waikawa Bay STOP and STAY Waikawa Bay Reserve: stop and stay Stop and Stay Waikawa Bay Reserve Larne St, Waikawa, Catlins Self-contained campers are welcome to overnight at the Recreation reserve in Waikawa township. Bordering the Catlins and close to Curio Bay, Waikawa also boasts a popular fish and chip (‘chup’) wagon. Nice! ■ who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans; must be self-contained. ■ Dogs allowed. ■ 1 nights max. ■ facilities: Toilets, water, large vehicles. ■ activities: Swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, walking, cycling, fishing, boating. ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 35

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Waitohi Bush Reserve ©2024 Gill N Colin Miskelly, Waitohi Bush Reserve Our ‘go to’ place when we need to charge our batteries (only 8 mins from home , lol). Gill N Colin Miskelly Waitohi Bush Reserve ©2024 Gill N Colin Miskelly, only 8 mins from home Two nights (again) at our local reserve Gill N Colin Miskelly Two nights (again) at our local reserve… Waitohi Bush Reserve … A great place to just unwind and listen to the bellbirds. Has 2 tracks that are a bit steep in places but some nice walks along the shingle roads if you’re not into the bush walks!! Our ‘go to’ place when we need to charge our batteries (only 8 mins from home , lol). ©2024 Gill N Colin Miskelly, South Canterbury Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 13

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mavis at Ocean Beach Finally made it out to Ocean Beach Cheine Matheson Finally made it out to Ocean Beach in Whangarei. Mavis in her natural habitat. ©2022 Cheine Matheson Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 30

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption game-map.webp Game solution Rhonda Marshall The puzzle The solution: Game-solution-11-CKW .pdf Download PDF • 82KB Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 36

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption craft shopping, toasting marshmallows STOP and STAY Exploring Clandyboye Linda Butler All Points Camping enjoyed craft shopping, toasting marshmallows in the fire pit and Devonshire teas at the Milford POP. ◊ ©2024 Linda Butler Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 21

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption And people wonder why I like camping Tony Kissel And people wonder why I like camping.◊ ©2024 Tony Kissel Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 8

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption The first hour of the walk is super easy and even a bit peaceful, taking you on a flat walk along the Mararoa River and through the Snowdon Forest. Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ The Kiwi Burn Swing Bridge. Right at the start of the walk we faced one of the coolest features (in my opinion) of the track, the Kiwi Burn Swingbridge. A chain metal bridge spanning approximately 15 metres across and standing at least 10 meters high over the gushing Mararoa River. Not at all for the faint of heart! Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ The Kiwi Burn Swing Bridge. I was nervous to cross while carrying an extra 20kg of toddler + backpack with me, but I figured it was better for me than my much taller partner to cross carrying it all. A bit wobbly going across, and a bit unsettling viewing the patches in the chain link as you’re right in the middle, but we did it! Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ Three Tracks intersect After crossing the bridge, a DOC sign details the 3 walking tracks that intersect at this point: Left to Kiwi Burn hut (1hr 30min), forward to Kiwi Burn Loop Track (3hr 30min), or right to South Mavora Lake (2hr 30min). Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ Before we even started to work up a sweat, we were out of the forest and entered an open, flat grassy clearing. Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ The Kiwi Burn hut Just as I began to think about the lack of shade and the scorching sun on us, we saw something amazing. The top of the hut finally came into view. Before we even started to work up a sweat, we were out of the forest and entered an open, flat grassy clearing. Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ Arriving at the Kiwi Burn hut Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ The Kiwi Burn hut Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ At the Kiwi Burn Hut There’s lots of room for little ones to safely play both inside and out. Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ The longer route back We lost sight of the path, but every few minutes we spotted a tiny orange triangle peeking up out of the 1.5 metre high grass. At times it didn’t even feel like we were following a track anymore, just stamping our own way forward. Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ Back at the swing bridge After another hour of easy, peaceful walking through the forest, we arrived back at the swing bridge. Photos: ©2023 Kayla Laatz. Mountain Mamas NZ The final verdict is in: Kiwi Burn Hut is the perfect hut for families with young children. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes Kayla Laatz 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. Walking to Kiwi Burn Hut Right at the start of the walk we faced one of the coolest features (in my opinion) of the track, the Kiwi Burn swing bridge. A chain metal bridge spanning approximately 15 metres across and standing at least 10 meters high over the gushing Mararoa River. Not at all for the faint of heart! Signs state only one person at a time should cross the bridge, and when you’re on it I think you’ll agree. I was nervous to cross while carrying an extra 20kg of toddler + backpack with me, but I figured it was better for me than my much taller partner to cross carrying it all. A bit wobbly going across, and a bit unsettling viewing the patches in the chain link as you’re right in the middle, but we did it! After crossing the bridge, a DOC sign details the 3 walking tracks that intersect at this point: Left to Kiwi Burn Hut (1hr 30min), forward to Kiwi Burn Loop Track (3hr 30min), or right to South Mavora Lake (2hr 30min). We decided to take the shorter route to Kiwi Burn Hut first and went left. Since I was carrying such a heavy load, my walking pace was a little slower than the suggested times shown on the sign. The first hour of the walk is super easy and even a bit peaceful, taking you on a flat walk along the Mararoa River and through the Snowdon Forest. A few small streams crossed the path along the way, but were really easy to cross without getting wet feet. With the sound of running water most of the way and the bird chirps coming from above, there were heaps of talking points to keep our young one mentally engaged and entertained. Besides the nearby river at the start, this track is totally safe to let toddlers tot around on too. Before we even started to work up a sweat, we were out of the forest and entered an open, flat grassy clearing. We followed the path stamped down into the knee high grass and the orange triangle markers. We crossed the very windy Kiwi Burn a few times as we rounded to the left of the clearing. Just as I began to think about the lack of shade and the scorching sun on us, we saw something amazing. The top of the hut finally came into view. I was shocked to see it so soon, as we truly hadn’t walked for long at all. It was a very welcome sight though with a cranky, hungry toddler on my back. After an hour and a half of easy walking, we had made it to Kiwi Burn Hut. Kiwi Burn Hut Kiwi Burn Hut overlooks a large, open valley filled with grassy wetlands surrounded by lush green mountains. There’s lots of room for little ones to safely play both inside and out. Behind the hut is a small, shallow stream which is great fun for kids on a hot summer’s day. Inside the hut we were pleased to find two separate bedrooms, each with 6 wooden bunks. We didn’t have the hut to ourselves, so this really eased my mind having the privacy of a separate room in case our little guy didn’t sleep so well that night. A luxury you don’t often get! The kitchen has a spacious bench top for preparing meals, a sink with running water (fed by the rain water tank outside) and a wood-fired stove. The stove could potentially be a hazard to young ones who don’t yet understand the concept of heat or fire, but there’s plenty of room inside to keep them far enough away from it. Outside we found 3 metal fire pits covered with a metal grill, perfect for grilling up meat or late night smores! Back to the Carpark from Kiwi Burn Hut From Kiwi Burn Hut you have two options to get back to the parking area. The shorter route, returning on the same track you came in on (1hr 30min) or the longer route, walking the full loop track back (2 hours). We were curious about what more views the full loop track offered, so opted to take the longer path to the left. Right away we lost sight of the path, but every few minutes we spotted a tiny orange triangle peeking up out of the 1.5 metre high grass. At times it didn’t even feel like we were following a track anymore, just stamping our own way forward. Not only was it hard to constantly dodge sharp grass from poking both mine and my child’s eyes, we also had to avoid tons of prickly weeds scattered throughout the bushes. Lastly, there were a ton of small streams hidden under the wet, dewy grass that were impossible to see until you had already stepped in (or nearly tripped over) them. Wet boots, wet pants, blisters, no shade cover and the very bumpy terrain underfoot made this section quite unenjoyable for us. When my son wanted a break from the carrier, we had to keep pushing forward because there weren’t many suitable spots to put him down for at least an hour and a half. It was mentally tough, and for a while there I think we all regretted the choice to take the long way back to the car. But we were so relieved to re-enter the forest again that we quickly forgot about the tricky section now behind us. After another hour of easy, peaceful walking through the forest, we arrived back at the swing bridge. Overall, it took us just over 4 hours to complete the full Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track. We all agreed that we did not wish to ever repeat the wetlands portion of the walk again, but would happily return to the hut via the shorter walking track. Despite the tough walk on day two, the chance to easily stay overnight in Mavora made it all worth it. The final verdict is in: Kiwi Burn Hut is the perfect hut for families with young children. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 12.5 km Trail Type: Loop Elevation Gain: 300 meters Time: 4 hours Hut Coordinates: 45°21'18.7"S 168°05'27.4"E Mountain Mamas NZ is an online community of New Zealand based mamas with a love of the great outdoors. mountainmamasnz.com instagram.com/mountainmamasnz facebook.com/mountainmamasnz Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 24

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption The adventures don't have to end ‘after kids’, they're only just beginning. We are an online community of New Zealand-based mamas with a love of the great outdoors. We regularly share hiking trails, campsites, outdoor guides and inspirational posts on our social media and website. Mountain Mamas © Kayla Laatz The adventures don't have to end ‘after kids’, they're only just beginning. We are an online community of New Zealand-based mamas with a love of the great outdoors. We regularly share hiking trails, campsites, outdoor guides and inspirational posts on our social media and website. Mountain Mamas © Kayla Laatz The adventures don't have to end ‘after kids’, they're only just beginning. We are an online community of New Zealand-based mamas with a love of the great outdoors. We regularly share hiking trails, campsites, outdoor guides and inspirational posts on our social media and website. Mountain Mamas © Kayla Laatz Mountain Mamas NZ Kayla Laatz Are you a mama wanting to spend more time outdoors with your family? Do you want to meet and go tramping with other like-minded mamas? Mountain Mamas NZ is an online community of New Zealand-based mamas with a love of the great outdoors. We regularly share hiking trails, campsites, outdoor guides and inspirational posts on our social media and website. Its a place to learn new skills, build your confidence, get inspired and connect with other local mamas throughout Aotearoa. The benefits to spending more time in nature are endless; but sometimes finding the motivation and support to make it happen can be difficult. Learning new skills and stepping outside your comfort zone, while simultaneously navigating life as a new parent, is even harder. The adventures don't have to end ‘after kids’, they're only just beginning. Get involved by following us @mountainmamasnz on Instagram and Facebook. Tag us in your outdoor family adventures using #mountainmamasnz to be shared and to inspire others. Kayla Laatz mountainmamasnz.com facebook.com/mountainmamasnz instagram.com/mountainmamasnz Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 32

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption New Year gathering at Waihora, Motukarara, Canterbury. ©2023 Linda Butler Join the club All Points Camping ALL POINTS CAMPING CLUB of NZ We are proud to sponsor this issue of Camping the Kiwi Way Brought to you by NZ’s inclusive, friendly, camping club, for your reading pleasure. Family membership to the All Points Camping Club gives you: ✶ Membership support ✶ Friendly, inclusive camping events ✶ Nationwide savings ✶ Lobbying support for campers’ rights. You don’t have to have a self-contained vehicle to join. You don’t have to be a member to come to our events. It’s more than just a club, it’s like one big family. Come along to one of our events near you.Bring the tent, bring the kids. Image: ©2024 Margaret Earle Join now only $35NZ’s national camping club Join here: www.allpointscampingnz.org ✶ When the benefits far exceed the cost you’d be crazy not to take it up. ✶ Our values: compassion, inclusion, support and encouragement Top image: Motukarara, Canterbury. ©2022 Linda Butler. Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 40