7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Tent camping alongside beach, outside designated ares. Camped responsibly all night. Left no trace. Left site 6am. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove infringement fees/fines are $400 up to $10,000 Enforcement of freedom camping rules Miriam Richardson This is ordinary language and guidance only. Check the legislation yourself for the precise wording and detail† . Offences to avoid when freedom camping These offences are in Freedom Camping Act 2011, Offences Part 3, Sections 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20F, 20G and the infringement fees/fines are $400 up to $10,000. Camping where it is not allowed. Not having a valid warrant. Not displaying a valid warrant. Having more people than the vehicle is certified for. Display or present an altered or fraudulent warrant or self-containment certificate to an enforcement officer. Make preparation to freedom camp (“park a motor vehicle” or “erect a tent” “to use it for freedom camping”), where it is not allowed, or with too many people. Refuse to leave an area when told to by an enforcement officer (see next column). Refuse to give, or give false or misleading information to an enforcement officer (see next column). Bad behaviour towards an enforcement officer: prevent, impede, threaten, intimidate, use abusive or threatening language, or behave in a threatening manner (penalty up to $5k). Interfere with /damage the environment while camping. Deposit waste, not in a ‘proper receptacle’. Discharge “noxious, dangerous, offensive” substances that cause “a significant concern to” residents, people living nearby, or other users of the area (penalty up to $10k). Who has to pay Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 26 Any or all of the following: The person committing the offence. The registered owner of the vehicle. The person legally entitled to be in charge of, or the person using , the vehicle. Knowing or not knowing you have been ‘infringed’ Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 27 You may never know... .... you have been issued an infringement, and you might never receive it. These notices can be handed to you, attached to the vehicle, emailed, posted to the last known address of the person, or posted to the registered vehicle owner’s address. Any email delivery problems, out of date postal addresses, having no access to a postal address, not being the person who committed the offence (eg the vehicle owner rather than the camper), makes no difference: you are deemed to have been served. When the officer presses the email ‘send’ button, the email is considered properly delivered to you. When the normal postal delivery time has passed (anyone’s guess how long that is nowadays!), anything posted is considered delivered to you. What information must enforcement officers give? Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 34 They must show evidence of appointment, if you ask . It must show their responsibilities and powers and the offences they have been appointed to monitor. The must tell you, if you ask, what offence they believe you have committed (or are committing), if they ask for personal details. What information are you required to give? Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 35 Personal information You must give your full name, date of birth, full address, email address, telephone number, and occupation, IF an enforcement officer believes, on reasonable grounds , that you have committed or are committing an offence. If you are asked for personal information you are entitled to ask what the offence is that the officer believes you have committed (or are committing) and the response must be reasonable. You must also give personal details for, and the whereabouts of, any other person, connected in any way with the alleged offence (penalty up to $3k). Self-containment certificate You must produce the self-containment certificate, if asked, but they can only ask IF the enforcement officer believes, on reasonable grounds, you have committed or are committing an offence by camping or preparing to camp where not permitted. They have no right to inspect the vehicle. We have reports that enforcement officers in Kaikoura are being encouraged to do this, regardless of its illegality. See p18. You can be required to leave Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 36 Enforcement officers may require you to leave an area, but they must believe, on reasonable grounds , you are committing (or have committed) an offence. Impounding things Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 37 & 38 Enforcement officers may seize and impound a motor vehicle or any kind of unit associated with a vehicle that can be used for camping (eg., caravan, poptop, teardrop, rooftop tent) (or a boat), if it is being used (or has been used) to commit an offence and it is “reasonable in the circumstances”. What counts as “reasonable”? The Act give some requirements: if “it is necessary” to protect health, safety, the environment, or to maintain access to an area. But, even if none of those things are true, if it “is, in the circumstances, the most appropriate action to prevent the ongoing commission of the offence.” Before impounding, the officer must: tell the person to stop committing the offence, advise them that impounding is on the cards, give them “a reasonable opportunity to stop committing the offence”. To get your vehicle back you have to: Convince them you aren’t going to commit the offence again. Pay for all the cost of the seizing, impounding, storing. You also have to pay any penalties/fines related to the offence that initiated the impounding. If your vehicle is damaged in the process of impounding, the cost is yours unless they were unreasonably careless. If you haven’t got your vehicle back within 6 months, they can dispose of it. † Check the law yourself: ckw.nz/FC-law Articles in this issue on the freedom camping law changes: Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system (p2) Editorial (p3) Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours? (p6) So you want to freedom camp (p8) What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? (p10) Enforcement of freedom camping rules (p12) I am not freedom camping' cards (p14) Do your bit: Task of the week (p16) No more freedom camping (p16) Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West (p18) Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health (p20) 7 days a week (p21) Celebrating Summer (p5) Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 12

1 Spring 2022 1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption My little teardrop I always liked the shape of the early teardrops “1939’ so just started with that. he teardroIt has a bit of an old aircraft look to it It isn’t the flashest little camper out there, but the main thing is that it is fun, always changing when I find something new or different to add, and I get to meet great people and enjoy this great country. The feature I like best is the kitchen The main shelf is a fold down one; I put my vintage primus cooker on, with the wash sink. It keeps everything flexible. I like the open feel of having a large window open to the world. A teardrop camper Gary Hitchcock My little teardrop started life in 2016 as an idea to have something I could use to get away and recharge myself, and also as a bug-out camper in the event of a disaster. I live in Christchurch! I always liked the shape of the early teardrops “1939” so just started with that. I had an old trailer with a body that was too rusty to save, but the frame was ok. The main material for the camper was a UV-protected plastic sheet, ideal for outside use. It was getting dumped from where I was working at the time. I had the advantage of being able to use a large laser cutter to cut it to my design. It was about a year before I was ready to start the build, having found funds and materials to start putting it together. A lot of the bits and pieces are reject parts that would have been tossed out, like the windows, roof vent & gray water tank, that are made from PVC cabinet door fronts. I have two layers to the floor so there is lots of storage under the bed. The feature I like best is the kitchen. I didn’t do a full, built-in kitchen in the back as I like the open feel of having a large window open to the world. It is fantastic when you get to camp with a great view you can enjoy even if the weather is not great. It still works as a kitchen, with the main shelf and a fold down one I put my vintage Primus cooker on, with the wash sink. It keeps everything flexible to change around to suit what I am doing at the time. After all, it is supposed to be camping. I have fun cooking up a storm as I have plenty of food in the storage areas, but never know what I will find till I get there. All part of the adventure. I can also easily remove the two clear polycarbonate windows & main shelf if I need to use the teardrop as a covered trailer. I use a small old solar panel to run a small fan to have fresh air circulating, mainly for when the teardrop is not in use over winter, so it is always fresh. I didn’t plan on having a TV, but after finding a bargain & some speakers, media player & amplifier I put them all together and made a great little system to listen to music & watch movies when I just want to relax at the end of the day. With the teardrop having a bit of an old aircraft look to it I was after something to go on the front. While I was working on it I heard Murray Ball passed away, 12 March 2017, so I made the “Dog” graphics as a tribute and also now to my little dog Angel who just loved being in the teardrop. Most of the summer was spent camping out in the teardrop at home, as for some reason we both sleep better in the teardrop than in the house. It isn’t the flashest little camper out there, but the main thing is that it is fun, always changing when I find something new or different to add, and I get to meet great people and enjoy this great country. BY: Gary Hitchcock PHOTOS: ©2022 Gary Hitchcock Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 24

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption autumn-run-off-4_H.webp Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road Vanessa Parkinson Got run off the road last weekend. Luckily no real damage due to the skills and help from some awesome West Coast farmers. The guy towing a caravan was hogging the road coming towards me around the corner and refused to move. But anyhow… onwards and upwards. ©2024 Vanessa Parkinson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 13

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption How to inspire without sweeping things under the carpet? Editorial Miriam Richardson When I began assembling this issue I came up against a dilemma. If I focused on the many wonderful summer camping stories, the government might be able to use this magazine to say the slipshod new freedom camping self-containment laws and regulations were not spoiling things for New Zealand campers. Sadly, the changes are bringing restriction, distress, anxiety, and insoluble dilemmas for many of us ( p20 ). To give a balanced picture, I have included the serious stuff, putting it on the left pages while we celebrate summer on the right-hand pages. Match your side to your mood. Many campers, who will soon be barred from freedom camping, have used this summer to enjoy it while they can. Until their self-containment certificates run out or the government’s deadlines arrive, they can continue to freedom camp. Some regions are failing to follow the law during the transition period, which has given campers a needlessly stressful time. ( p18 ). ( Check p6 to see what your particular blue warrant allows you to do, and for how long.) Check out page 8 for suggestions on how to manage over the transition period, if you want to freedom camp. The new laws bring in a raft of new offences: I thought we might need to actually know what they are, so you will see them in “ordinary” language on page 12 . Since it is now an offence to “prepare to freedom camp” as evidenced by “parking”, consider having a notice for your dashboard to let enforcement officers know what you are intending to do ( p14 ). Once they get trained in mind-reading we wont need these notices, but until then… Can you do your bit to shake up the powers-that-be? If commonsense was going to prevail we wouldn’t have a problem now. We need to apply political pressure to persuade politicians to be sensible. See page 16 for some options. Many voices may bring action, while lone voices will be ignored. Add your voice, if you can. At the same time as pondering the challenging thought of taking political action (shudder) to protect freedom camping, take heart from the many wonderful stories from summer campers. All over the country people have been out and about and enjoying the dry and the heat, tolerating the wind and the wet, and making the most of it. Read all about it. Read on… Tiaki mai. This magazine is brought to you by All Points Camping Club of NZ & NZ Lifestyle Camping Articles in this issue on the freedom camping law changes: Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system (p2) Editorial (p3) Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours? (p6) So you want to freedom camp (p8) What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? (p10) Enforcement of freedom camping rules (p12) I am not freedom camping' cards (p14) Do your bit: Task of the week (p16) No more freedom camping (p16) Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West (p18) Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health (p20) 7 days a week (p21) Celebrating Summer (p5) Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 4

5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption 1965, Aug, Camped at Momorangi 1989 1989 Graham Leslie & Margaret Earle with loaded Caravan & XA Falcon for trip to Ohiwa 1998 Escargot Caravan stripped back 1998 Escargot Caravan stripped back in preparation for fibre glassing 2005 Wanaka 2005 January, setting up in Wanaka. 2007 January, Ohiwa 2007, December, Morrisons Bush Alice & Tom Leslie Morrisons Bush, December 2007 Alice Tom & Mike on the floor. January. 2008 Lunch on the Desert Rd, August, 2008 2011 Morrisons bush 2017 November, Restoration 2 2018 February, Mavora Lakes 2021 Whangmomona Forgotten Highway January 2021, Whangmomona, Forgotten Highway 2023, new crib 2023 A new crib for a new family. 2023: baby in the crib. The new caravan The Desert Road: On our first road trip with our new caravan. We made it successfully from Wellington to Whangarei. ©2023 Margaret Earle Our two granddaughters will grow up going camping with Granddad’s Granddad’s caravan. Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan Graham Leslie and Margaret Earle Our son Tom was five days old when he first went camping. He’d been born on Boxing Day and we were keen to join the rest of our family for New Year at Morison’s Bush in the Wairarapa. In those days we camped in a tent but, because we had a newborn, my parents-in-law offered us the caravan. It made looking after baby Tom much easier. The caravan — sometimes called Escargot because of her snail-like shape — was built in Dunedin in the 1960s by my partner’s grandfather, William Leslie. At that stage he had retired to Dunedin from his farm in the Catlins and built his own house with timber from the farm. Escargot was the third caravan he built. Escargot was designed with my parents-in-law — Adrienne and Stewart Leslie and their young children — in mind. It became their first family caravan. Escargot is 9ft 6in (≈2.9m) long and 6ft 2in (≈1.9m) wide — designed so that Stewart could fit in the double bed across the back. The frame of Escargot was built from ribbonwood (manatu) milled from the farm in the Catlins. The caravan was covered with marine ply and painted. As well as the double bed, there are two bunks at the front and there was a cradle across the end of the double bed for the baby. The wardrobe was built between the door and the bunks and has a curtain at the side so that as the kids grew taller, they could stretch their legs into the side of the wardrobe. But, in reality, the kids generally slept in the car or a tent. In the mid-1990s when my parents-in-law bought a larger pop-top caravan in preparation for retirement. They offered us Escargot. We were quite happy camping in tents, but there was no market for second-hand, home-built caravans so we agreed to take her. Our first task was to cover Escargot in fibreglass to make her more weather-proof as we had nowhere dry to keep her. Escargot became an integral part of our camping arrangements. Because she is small, our kids didn’t get to sleep in her very often either. However, I can remember making breakfast for 9 (4 adults and 5 kids) after a very windy night camped at Kaitoke Regional Park (just north of Upper Hutt). Our friends’ borrowed tent had got bent in the strong winds overnight and by breakfast time 9 of us, huddled in the caravan, were the only campers still at Kaitoke. Fibreglassing the outside of Escargot only delayed the inevitable. Water seeped in and the ribbonwood frame started to rot. By the mid-2010s it was time to give her a substantial rebuild. We pulled off the marine ply, replaced any framing that was rotten, insulated her as best we could, completely rewired her and reclad her in aluminium. Tom and Vivian (our daughter-in-law) worked with us on this major project. We have had many adventures and travelled many miles in Escargot. In the last year we have taken our young granddaughter to several All Points events and she has slept in the same bunk that her grandfather and dad did when they were young. The latest adaptation of the top bunk, to make a cot for the latest arrival; the 5th generation. History does repeat. This year, in preparation for my retirement, we bought a larger caravan with good insulation and heating. Fortunately, Tom and Vivian were keen to take Escargot and are making it their own. So our two granddaughters will grow up going camping with Granddad’s Granddad’s caravan. I suspect that like the generations before them they will mostly sleep in tents alongside Escargot. The Desert Road
: On our first road trip with our new caravan. We made it successfully from Wellington to Whangarei. ©2023 Margaret Earle Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 5

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption From the rvbooks.co,au website From the rvbooks.co,au website © Barry Davidson © Collyn RIvers, rvbooks.co,au Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention. Buying used caravans Collyn Rivers Helpful tools when conducting a used caravan inspection include a torch, a damp meter, a ladder and a tape measure. If you can, take along someone who knows about caravans. Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention. Not all are like that, however. Is your tow vehicle capable of towing this caravan? While many do so (but may then regret it) it is safer to keep the weight of the caravan to that of the towing vehicle. The first thing to check is the caravan‘s approximate empty weight. It’s so-called Tare Mass (i.e. weight) is likely to be shown on a plate attached to its chassis. It is unlikely to be accurate but gives you a rough idea. A typical caravan‘s fully loaded weight is usually 200–300 kg (440–660 lb) higher. The required tow ball mass is about 10% of that laden weight, Check if that is within your tow vehicle’s ability. More on p13, Towing your caravan Background & documentation Is the caravan‘s size, style and layout suitable for your needs? Who made the caravan — and when? What is the previous ownership history? Where has the caravan been kept and where has it been (if known)? Does the manufacturer still exist and are spare parts for this caravan still available? What documentation is provided with the caravan — you really need a weigh bridge certificate, gas certificate and electrical certificate. Does the caravan‘s VIN plate match with the documentation provided? Is there a service history and are instruction manuals for the caravan and major items available? Does it have a wood or aluminium frame? Is the caravan‘s condition reasonably consistent with its age? Checking the exterior Are there any signs of repairs, scratches, dents, hail damage, bowing, repainting? Is there any sealant around the windows (a give-away that there may be water leakage)? Check that all windows open and close and are in good condition. Check under the caravan for axle or suspension rusting or damage, cracks or deformation. Are the water tanks, wiring and lighting in good condition? Does the caravan look as though it has been off-road? Tyres: do the tyres have ample tread. How old are they (no matter if barely worn, a tyre’s maximum life is 7–10 years. If older, they will need replacing. Are the correct tyres fitted (refer to the compliance plate re their correct size). Is there a spare tyre? © Barry Davidson Checking the interior Is there any smell of dampness (or use of chemicals) to disguise that and/or other smells? Are there any signs of ants or other insects inside the caravan? Ants are a giveaway — they are attracted by damp or rotting wood. If there is any sign of ants the caravan timber may be rotting. Or there may be a water leak. Check walls, ceiling and bench tops carefully (especially around windows and ventilation hatches). Look for dampness, discolouration, bulges, scratches, indents, holes or evidence of repainting or repair. Cupboards: check for daylight between cupboards and walls, loose or missing screws, doors not opening or closing or broken latches. Check for any damage to beds, mattress and storage area. Is the hob/grill/oven/microwave/fridge clean and working? If there is an ensuite check that it is in good condition, e.g. is toilet/shower/hot water working? Are there any signs of leaking, mould or poor ventilation? Pop tops: check the roof can be raised and lowered easily, that all struts are in good condition and that any canvas is not damaged or discoloured. Check the door opens, closes and locks as intended. How many keys are provided? Awning: if there is an awning, check that it opens and closes properly and check its canvas condition. Be realistic about what to expect for the van’s age, but do not be afraid to ask the seller to correct any minor matters prior to sale. If the problem appears significant, look elsewhere. There are always others for sale! What to check – general A-Frame: Is the tow hitch in good condition? Is electrical wiring present and in good condition? Is the handbrake, chains, jockey wheel present and working? If it is safely possible, inspect the roof for leaks, tree/branch, solar module and TV aerial damage. Check that all electrics (including battery) are in good condition and that all lights and appliances work. Check the condition of gas bottles, regulator and piping. ◼️ Buying used Caravan – what to check has been prepared with the kind support of the Caravan Council of Australia. Reproduced with permission. Collyn has a book on buying a caravan or motorhome. Appendix 4 includes a checklist: on Amazon Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 20

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing never underestimate the kindness of strangers We got bogged: “Because it’d be funner,” he said Craig Nelson Well. There we were. Bogged. How did we get here and how did the intrepid road trip travellers, Mr and Mrs N. come to be bogged at the Clark Valley Recreation Area, before Murchison on State Highway 6, in the South Island of New Zealand? Where did all this — road trip — exploring the country — lark come from anyway? All good questions. We need to go back in time, a time before we knew that Covid19 was a thing, a time when facemasks were those yellow things that might fall in an “unlikely event” from the overhead panel on an aircraft. Let us go back to 2019 BC (before caravan), and we, that is Mrs N and I, were planning an extended road trip of the South Island, the following year, in 2020. Pause for knowing giggles, snorts and — yeah rights! Having been avid tent campers for several years, we quickly ruled that out for a road trip — the idea of setting up and tearing down a tent every second day or so didn’t seem fun. Plus, South Island in May? Could be a tad chilly. This left two possibilities: Take the car to the South Island and stay in motels, camping ground accommodation, Airbnbs, etc, etc. Fly to Christchurch and hire a motorhome. After listing and discussing all the pros and cons, which I shan’t bore you with here, we eventually decided on a hired motorhome trip around the South Island. But, I do seem to remember saying: “Because it’d be funner!” That settled, we booked for May 2020. It would be autumn and our 25th wedding anniversary. How lovely. Then, like it was for many others, all our grand plans all got covid-cancelled. The motorhome booking was rolled over to the following year, May 2021. Fast forward to May 2021. After a quick flight from Auckland to Christchurch, we picked up our motorhome. We were away from home for the next four weeks. We set off at break neck speed to do the whole, yes the whole of the South Island in our allotted time. (Yes, yes, we go a bit slower nowadays, but what were we to know back then? You never know when there might be another lockdown! The South might declare independence from the North!) After a quick up and over loop, taking in Kaikōura, Picton, Marahau (Abel Tasman National Park) and Nelson we were heading towards Murchison and the West Coast via SH6. Mrs N. was driving — which we share. We saw an inviting looking rest area to stop for lunch. We pulled into the Clark Valley Recreation Area, noting the ‘no camping’ sign at the gate — all good, we were just going to be here for a quick lunch stop. Or so we thought. The gravelled driveway, appeared to loop around on itself. Excellent — drive in drive out, nice and easy. However, the gravel suddenly gave way to grass halfway around the loop. No worries, there appeared to be a clear track looping back around. Well, there was, but there was also a little hollow dip and then a slight rise back up to the beginning of the loop. Mrs N. cautiously navigated the little dip and started to drive up the little rise. About halfway up, the right front wheel started to spin on the wet grass. Now here’s the thing. I am pretty sure that if we had stayed where we were and thought things through, we would have been able to get ourselves going again without too much fuss. We will never know because: Mr N: Just roll back down and give it another go — a little bit faster this time! Mrs N: Okay darling — I trust your judgement implicitly! Mrs N. then reversed the motorhome back down the rise, and we ended up with the front wheels, yup you guessed it — in the little hollow dip. A dip which just so happened to have a little stream of water trickling through it. Well. If we weren’t completely stuck before, we sure were stuck now. Both the front wheels were now spinning and going nowhere fast. Attempts to feed sticks under the wheels proved amateurishly futile. Both the front wheels were now spinning and going nowhere fast. Just as we were contemplating a night stuck in the ‘no camping’ rest area, a couple pulled in — sensibly staying on the gravel. I guess they figured out fairly quickly, we needed some help because they came over to see what the problem was. The problem was that we were still around 57km from Murchison, and stuck in a valley with zero phone coverage. The kind couple said they would drive further along the road and up to the Hope Saddle, where there should be phone coverage to call a tow truck. The Hope Saddle was around 10km further on from where we were. They even said they would drive back again and let us know that they had been able to call for help. All this they did and after about 20 minutes or so, they came back and told us a tow truck was on its way. They even waited for it to arrive, before going on their way. Well, what can you say? Thank you! The driver of the flat-bed tow truck had also brought along his large 4x4 on the back. He said he needed to be careful with his truck: Tow truck driver: This thing will get stuck on a cow pat! In less than five minutes, he had his 4x4 off the back of his truck, and had pulled us free with a bungee snatch strap. MR N : What do we owe you? Tow truck driver: Nothing — the AA roadside assist will cover it! MR N : Excellent! Thank you very much! Is there a moral to this story? Yes. When dips happen, and they will — stop, and think before you act. As long as it is safe to do so, get out and look, assess the situation. Nothing bad will happen — if you’re stuck, taking a moment to get out and look, have a wee think — won’t make you any more stuck. Don’t make the situation worse by guessing or doing the first thing that comes into your head. As I mentioned earlier, and while I can’t say for sure, I think if we had got out and looked and taken a breath or two, I think we could of got ourselves going again half way up that little hill. If we had looked, we would have seen the dip behind us. Lastly — never underestimate the kindness of strangers. ◊ Photos ©2024 Craig Nelson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 8

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Where-we-MNR_2659_H.webp ©2024 M Richardson assume the new laws apply everywhere Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? M Richardson If you do not want to freedom camp you do not need the new green warrant. The existing blue standard and blue warrant is still acceptable for all other places that require certified self-containment (so far). ■ The new government is not making any of the changes it championed in the Select Committee stages of the amendment to the Freedom Camping Act. ■ Green warrant cards for freedom camping are being issued, as long as you meet the eight new requirements. See PGDB diagram and link, p8 ■ There are still insufficient testers across the country for the number of vehicles that need warrants in the available time. Search the list here (put in your region first). ■ Costs for getting a 4-year green warrant vary from $200 to $300, including the $120 PGDB levy. ■ The NZMCA has indicated that it will not be issuing green warrant cards until or unless the venting requirements for cassette toilets are lifted. They intend to issue non-green cards for those who do not wish to freedom camp (or pay the government levy) which will be sufficient proof of self-containment for NZMCA parks and events and, presumably, their park over properties. ■ The peculiarities around the venting of toilet cassettes is still required for a green warrant. There are indications that this vent rule will be changed to exclude cassette and compost toilets but this won’t be confirmed until later in the year, if you can trust the politicians. ■ Aside from the venting issue the other peculiarities around self-containment managed by the Plumbers and Gasfitters Board are going to remain part of the regulations. There is no process or willingness to revise any other rules. The Minister has declared he won’t look at any revisions of the law as a whole until June next year at the earliest. ■ Rental companies must have green warrants by Dec 7 this year if the tourists are to be able to use these vehicles to freedom camp. The rest of us already-certified travellers, have until 7 June 2025. ■ From June next year the law demands that the Government must review any effect on homeless vehicle dwellers. ■ Money from international tourist’s levies, that could have been used to improve facilities for freedom campers has instead been spent on Councils to fund bylaw changes, provide enforcement and ambassador programs, plus fund the new PGDB vehicle certification system. The bulk of these funds was paid by MBIE to the regions with the strongest restrictions (and least provision) for freedom camping such as Queenstown Lakes District. ■ Those with fixed toilets and a blue warrant card issued before 7 Jun 2024 will be able to continue to freedom camp until 7 June 2025. ■ There is no indication that the government will extend the available time beyond 7 June 2025 as the Act allows. ■ Only those certified before 7/7/23 with a portable toilet can freedom camp: no-one else with a portable toilet can freedom camp on council-controlled land. ■ Regions vary in their enforcement of the new legislation. Some regions simply choose not to police the certified vehicle restrictions. Some don’t yet have the bylaws in place to apply restrictions, prohibit areas or offer freedom camping areas for non-self-contained campers. ■ It is safest, from a getting fined point of view, to assume the new laws apply everywhere, and to check the region’s website and their signs very carefully for their current rules. n Image: ©2024 M Richardson Freedom camping & self-containment 2 Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? 2 Who can freedom camp from now until 7 June 2025? 4 Getting your camping vehicle certified 8 Am I freedom camping? 8 What you need for a green warrant for freedom camping 10 Planning a toilet for the freedom camping green warrant? 12 Venting a toilet cassette: why, what, when and how 14 Keeping up with the self-containment changes 16 Composting and coddiwompling ︎ Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 2

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Q’town makes us welcome This is the summer to visit Queenstown Miriam Richardson There are parking bylaws and nationwide reserve laws that continue to affect freedom camping in Queenstown this summer, but the years-long prohibitive bans are gone from Queenstown Lakes District. The national law requiring freedom campers to be validly certified as self-contained still applies. After a lengthy legal battle Queenstown’s freedom camping bylaw has been judged invalid. “In the latest decision Justice Osborne, in the High Court in Invercargill, has declared QLDC’s decision to adopt its 2021 bylaw was invalid due to the unlawful influence and consideration of irrelevant matters, namely the economic impact on commercial campgrounds and the effects on private property values/amenity.” (NZMCA) The law states that freedom camping is “permitted in any local authority area”, though bylaws can restrict or prohibit freedom camping, they can only do so for specific purposes at specific places in response to a problem. “11 (2) A local authority may make a bylaw under subsection (1) only if it is satisfied that— (a) the bylaw is necessary for 1 or more of the following purposes: (i) to protect the area: (ii) to protect the health and safety of people who may visit the area: (iii) to protect access to the area; and (b) the bylaw is the most appropriate and proportionate way of addressing the perceived problem in relation to that area; and (c) the bylaw is not inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.” Freedom Camping Act 2011, 11 Restricting freedom camping also has to be “proportionate” to the problem, and “the most appropriate way” to address the problem. And, “for the avoidance of doubt” the law says: “12 Bylaws must not absolutely prohibit freedom camping (1) A local authority may not make bylaws under section 11 that have the effect of prohibiting freedom camping in all the local authority areas in its district.” Freedom Camping Act 2011, 12 The council has not yet decided if it will appeal the decision. The decision means there are legal costs it will need to meet for the challenger, NZMCA, and more costs if it appeals and loses yet again. It is also unclear as yet if the council will be obliged to refund any fines imposed under their invalid bylaw. The council maintains it was a valid bylaw right up until the moment the High Court said it wasn’t valid. In spite of two legal battles about freedom camping, the QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen strangely, still, seems to be unacquainted with the law. He still seems to believe that a general ban with a very few exceptions is legally acceptable. In the council response (24/9/24) to the court ruling: he says: “The Freedom Camping Act permits freedom camping on some public land, unless restricted or prohibited by a bylaw.” [emphasis mine] Accessed 29/10/24 ckw.nz/queenstown-response the law says: “Freedom camping is permitted in any local authority area, unless it is restricted or prohibited…” [emphasis mine] Freedom Camping Act 2011 10 (1). If the council doesn’t take the time and effort to actually look at the law itself (rather than the bits that have been fought and lost in court), it may be heading for a new round of expensive legal battles. It has begun the process of creating a new bylaw for 2025, which cannot be done before the summer is over. So in the meantime, this is the summer to explore the Queenstown Lakes district without the worry of their bounty-hunter-enforcers. ◊ “We warmly welcome responsible campers to our district” says the Queenstown chief executive and here I am at one of their very few freedom camping spots, Red Bridge, 81km from Q’town, on a busy corner of SH8a. 81km! (Above, from Google Street View. Below through my windscreen.) A fine scenic view of road signs, with free road entertainment as the trucks grind up the hill from the sharp corner. Not what I would call a ‘warm welcome’. 81km! Images ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 14

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption No consistency. No fair control of freedom camping. Freedom camping news Bette Cosgrove Councils Many councils don’t have a bylaw, most can’t afford to enforce freedom camping laws or bylaws, and many can barely respond to complaints about freedom campers. Some have decided not to enforce the national law and have no local bylaw. Councils that DO have a bylaw are in the throes of revisiting them, as they must conform to the changed law by June next year! Whakamaru Queenstown, which had the strictest prohibitions on freedom campers in NZ and spent the most $$$ on enforcing them, now has no bylaw at all, since the High Court has declared their existing bylaw is invalid. Now they’ve got no income from fines and no more government funds to manage freedom camping, and a new bylaw to create, and might yet have to refund the fines imposed under their invalid bylaw. Ratepayers are pushing and scrambling to get councils to restrict freedom camping even more and there’s no more government / MBIE transition funding left to support local authorities to monitor their sites this summer. Vehicles Hire companies only have until Dec 7th to get the new green warrants for all their vehicles, an impossible task, given the slow and inadequate implementation of the new standards, and we are hearing their distress in the media as the deadline races towards them. The system set up by both the law and the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Board (PGDB) is not fit for the purpose of this transition period when so many vehicles require certification in a limited time. (Time will tell if it is fit for its ongoing purpose after the transition rush is over.) In the first 11 months only 6,000 green warrants have been issued overall (11/24), with so many commercial vehicles needing it and a conservative minimum of 75,000 vehicles (more likely 120,000) in NZ overall. The transition period, as people move from the old blue warrants to the new green warrants, is due to expire 6 June ’25. Minister Doocey has the power, and is considering a time extension for non-commercial camping vehicles. MBIE has consulted the public on whether or how much to extend the time (up to 2 years). (The law does not allow any time extension for hire companies.) NZMCA has over 120,000 members who get certification inspections for free. Those who wish to freedom camp (green warrant) need to pay only the government levy (there’s a different coloured warrant for those members who do not wish to freedom camp). Fixing toilets in campers Easy solutions and new affordable products are being invented in NZ to help campers permanently fix their toilets to their vehicles so they can pass the new laws and carry on camping. A vocal few, including some inspectors, are trashing some of these innovative ideas. Campers Domestic tourist freedom campers are getting angry.With 120,000 or more camping vehicles that is as many as 200,000 angry people. DOC and commercial campgrounds are nearly fully booked for the summer period in popular places, putting greater pressure on freedom camping sites. Freedom camping in Reefton, West Coast NZMCA has taken up leases on two public campgrounds in Northland. How (and whether) they manage these for the benefit of the camping public or just for the benefit of their members is a worry, particularly for those who do not camp in vehicles. NZMCA have an extensive portfolio of low-cost parks around the country for their members. Leasing exisiting parks is one way for them to extend into new areas, which becomes an issue if they disadvantage the non-member public campers, and non-vehicle campers. There are still a lot of upset regular freedom campers and permanent vehicle dwellers claiming homelessness in order to be exempt from the freedom camping law. No freedom camping laws or restrictions apply to the homeless who live in their vehicle. Overall No end to confusion and misinformation out there about what is lawful or required to be a freedom camper. No consistency. No fair control of freedom camping. It is going to be a crazy camping summer, I suspect. ◊ Reefton freedom camping, West Coast. ©2023 M Richardson Whakamaru, Waikato ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 10

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Game solution Word search solution Rhonda Marshall Download a pdf of the solution Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 46

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Chickpea salad ©2024 Margaret Earle Bonus tip: keep meat longer by vacuum packing Recipes for camping Margaret Earle Tinned chickpeas are a useful thing to keep in your caravan cupboard. As well as being tasty they are a good source of protein. Here’s a couple of recipes you could use them in. Chickpea and cucumber salad Serves 4 as a side salad This salad is very simple to make. My three-year-old granddaughter really likes it. Last time I was camping with her I didn’t have any fresh mint, but the salad was still tasty and refreshing. Ingredients 1 tin chickpeas half a cucumber, approximately ¼ cup plain yoghurt Salt Garlic (either fresh or from a jar) Fresh mint (chopped finely) Ground cumin seeds The quantities above are approximate. Add more or less depending on your preferences and the look of the salad. You can add other things too like diced capsicum. Method Drain chickpeas. Chop cucumber into thin slices or chunks about half a centimetre square. Mix yoghurt, garlic, salt, mint and cumin seeds and pour over chickpeas and cucumber. Eat straight away or store in a cool place until you eat it. Spiced chickpea and pumpkin tagine Serves 4 Ingredients 2 Tbsp oil 1–2 chopped onions 3 cloves of chopped garlic (or 2 tsp garlic from a jar) 600g of pumpkin cut into small cubes 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp turmeric 1 cinnamon stick ½ tsp chilli powder 1–2 chopped capsicums 400g tin of chopped tomatoes 2x 400g tins of chickpeas (drained) Zest and juice from ½ lemon 1 tsp honey Salt and pepper Method Fry onions and garlic in the oil for about 5 minutes. Add cubes of pumpkin. Stir in ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon stick and chilli powder and cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Add chopped capsicum and tinned tomatoes. Bring to the boil then add chickpeas. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until all the flavours are blended. Before serving, add lemon zest and juice, honey, salt and pepper. Serve with rice. Dehydration instructions This recipe can be prepared in advance and dehydrated for a tramp or trip away. To do this: simmer the chickpea and pumpkin mixture gently until all fluid has evaporated. Finally add the lemon zest, juice, honey, salt and pepper and heat through. Spoon on the trays of the dehydrator. More detail on dehydrating meals can be found in Issue 6, Spring 2023, Camping the Kiwi Way . Keeping meat longer: vacuum pack One way to keep meat and other food longer is to vacuum pack them. The food still needs to be kept cool but it will last much longer (six to eight days). Sometimes you will see vacuum packed meats for sale in food stores and some supermarkets are happy to vacuum pack meat when you buy it. You can buy relatively inexpensive vacuum packing machines. They require electricity to run so you can’t use them in the wilderness but are useful when you prepare meals for tramping or when it will be difficult to buy fresh foods. You can also create your own ready-to-eat meals by vacuum packing home-made dehydrated meals. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 32