8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption NZLSC-promo-H.webp GO TO Autumn Gold Getting your camping vehicle certified Gary Stoneley, NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd NZLIFESTYLECAMPING.COM NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers, NZ Lifestyle Camping supports the NZ leisure camping industry. You do not need to be a member of a club or organisation to get your self-containment certification through NZLC but must have a vehicle that is fit for the purpose of habitation. NZ Lifestyle Camping’s network of testing officers continues to offer self-containment through the current NZ Standard, NZS 5465:2001 which is recognised by commercial and private host properties and is valid for 4 years. Starting June ‘24 we will offer certification with the new green warrant for those who specifically request it. This will probably require vehicle modifications. We don’t recommend moving to the new ‘green warrant’ scheme yet, but advise waiting until the errors in the system are fixed by government. FYI: We do not recommend freedom camping while you await your final documentation and window card. Without these you are at risk being fined. We are committed to supporting all types of campers. For camping vehicles containing portable toilets, a limited certificate can be issued which identifies your vehicle as self-contained for staying on all other land in NZ (commercial, private, club-owned) or at events requiring self-containment. To find or arrange a self-containment check please contact a testing officer near you: nzlifestylecamping.com | North Is | South Is Fees Our standard processing and issuing fee is $48 for blue warrants, and $63 for green warrants. ✚ testing officers charge for their time. ✚ green warrants incur a government levy of $120. l We wish everyone safe travels l We encourage you to ‘Leave no Trace’ when camping. Kind regards,Gary Stoneley, NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd 027 246 9778 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 ︎ nzlifestylecamping.com Self Containment | www.nzlifestylecamping.com | New Zealand NZ Lifestyle Camping. A NZ wide self containment issuing authority. Supporting NZ campers and self containment testing officers throughout NZ. Contact one of our skilled testing officers tio assist you with your self containment certification. - nzlifestylecamping Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 4

Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption WOWSK_H_190602.webp GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE meet other like-minded women kayakers Wāhine on Water | Sea Kayakers (WoW SK) Dallas Veitch Imagine an idyllic campsite on a secluded beach. You are sipping a cold drink in your deck chair, enjoying sunset views, a pleasant ache in your arms and shoulders. Your kayak is pulled up just beyond the gently lapping waters of high tide. Welcome to the world of kayak camping! Packing up your camping gear into a kayak can let you access an enormous variety of coastline and lakeshore that most people, even in other boats, can’t reach. However, kayaking on open waters is not a proverbial stroll in the park. Specialized skills and equipment are required to navigate safely in a marine environment, and these can be difficult to acquire for many people. Women, in particular, face challenges in developing the technical and leadership abilities necessary to step out from the shadow of male paddlers and confidently lead such journeys. The Wāhine on Water Sea Kayakers collective has been recently developed to address these issues. We offer a means to meet other like-minded women kayakers, monthly online talks from speakers describing expeditions or skills such as packing for kayak camping trips, and in person events. Three weekends in Raglan, Marahau, and Dunedin will feature instruction from qualified coaches. Registration will be open shortly at wowsk.nz website. So if the idea of camping via sea kayak appeals to you but you don’t know where to start, or if you are a woman sea kayaker who wants to expand your horizons, please join our WoW SK community. 🏕️ Dallas Veitch dallas@wowsk.nz | Rose Campbell rose@wowsk.nz Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 8

End of the road, top of the west coast, north of Karamea, one of New Zealand’s truly isolated places. Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up The end of the road Up David Liddall End of the road, top of the west coast, north of Karamea, one of New Zealand’s truly isolated places. This little postcard scene looks like a tropical paradise, balmy and serene — at the time the alpine passes were snowed closed throughout the rest of the island, evidence of how really exceptional this idyllic piece of coast is. Highly recommended.  ©2023 David Liddall David Liddall Contact: david@ckw.nz Up Up Highly recommended end-karamea-David-v2_mw.webp end-karamea-David-v2_mw.webp 1/1

Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption mains_H_2.webp GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE Think of the caravan outlets as a single multi box Mains electricity & your caravan, for dummies Wayne Rravelich I have been an industrial electrician since the mid-70s, 30 years ago I spent a couple of years re-wiring State houses, so I know how house wiring works. Since I retired about 6 years ago, I have been doing a lot of electrical work on caravans and motorhomes, so have a relatively fair idea on how they work. You do not need to be an electrician to understand the basics of caravan electrics. We are only going to discuss the mains supply power, the 240Volt stuff, the BIG stuff, the stuff that can kill you if you get it wrong. We will talk about how to use the mains power, not how to work with it, if you need something fixed, get a qualified sparky to have a look, never play with mains power. Down to basics. Your caravan has mains power outlets, the three pin wall socket just like in your house. That is where the similarity ends. They both supply 240Volt AC for your appliances BUT the supply of power is different. The house is supplied by a 16mm cable from the street that carries heaps of power. Your caravan is supplied by a fancy extension lead, 1.5mm or, more commonly, 2.5mm from a controlled caravan supply. The caravan lead will never carry the same amount of power as the supply to your house. Something to remember. The power points in the caravan work just like the ones in your house but if you load them all up at the same time you will overload the controlled supply, and it will trip/ turn off. The caravan lead has a 16amp blue plug/socket and is controlled by a 16amp circuit breaker. This gives you about 3.5kWatts, a lot less than your home supply. You can still run you 2.5kW kettle, the 2kW fan heater, the hair dryer and the toaster, but not at the same time. TIP: Think of the caravan outlets as a single multi box. Don’t overload the supply. Boil the jug on the hob (don’t put the electric kettle on the gas ring, a friend did by mistake, and it was not a good outcome). Cook the toast under the grill or with a good gas toaster (see p33)and leave the hair dryer at home; you are on holiday after all. 🏕️ Wayne Ravelich is the APCNZ President and a retired sparky Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 17

The new self-containment regulations that the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board are trying to implement have more bumps, twists and turns than the North Island Saddle Road. Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up There’s no need to rush this Summer. Is it better on the other side? Up Gary Stoneley #Notfitforpurpose #Self -containedvehicleregulations #Longandwindingroad The new self-containment regulations that the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board are trying to implement have more bumps, twists and turns than the North Island Saddle Road. Since 2017 and the closure of the Manawatu Gorge, with many millions spent, there has been slow progress for people wanting to travel across from Tararua / Hawkes Bay to the Manawatu. For many campers it is now a brief but expensive trek across the steep winding hills to get to the other side. On the other side there are always camping opportunities but weather is fickle in these parts and you never know what you are going to get. It is intended that the new Manawatu Tararua Highway will be operating in 2024 but there are still a few bridges to cross before that happens ( more ). The new self-containment regulations managed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB ), soon to be implemented and running alongside the current standard, are a bit like this. Pushed by disgraced former MP Stuart Nash, with a fetish for portable toilets, it was rushed through the 2nd and final reading without a Select Committee report by Peeni Henare MP and Kiri Allen MP, by the Labour Party majority. The legislation was quickly followed by MBIE-drafted regulations that had not been tested in the industry. Fast forward to November and the PGDB are recklessly trying to implement flawed regulations and self-containment testing officer guidelines that have more holes than a kitchen sieve, because they have been legislated to do so . Somehow, even with all the technical experts, the MBIE Responsible Camping Team, with government ministers tasked to do due diligence, we have still ended up with new regulations that don’t actually work. Common sense would dictate that if you are bringing in regulations that affect the fit-out and construction of caravans, campervans and other vehicles you would actually do physical testing within the industry to ensure everything works out as planned. Um… no. The regulations weren’t tested and no, they don’t work. For the vast majority of motorhomes, caravans and other camping vehicles the planned new regulations do not follow international industry standards. And all due to the misguided assumption that vehicle campers using portable toilets just aren’t responsible enough to freedom camp. I estimate that the new highway across the Tararua ranges will be up and running with all bridges crossed well before the new regulations can be implemented, due to the many legal and technical issues. A technical regulation is binding in law but when it contains fundamental errors it cannot be implemented. At least travellers will soon be better off with the Manawatu Tararua Highway completed and looking forward to what’s on the other side. We can’t say that vehicle campers will be any better off with the new regulations that can’t be applied in the industry without millions of owners’ dollars being spent. So what are the failings in the new regulations? They only apply to council-managed land for free camping The new alternate regulation s (targeting vehicle campers without fixed toilets) primarily apply only for ‘free’ camping on council-managed land that is not a designated camping area, plus LINZ (South Island land). Where camping areas are designated or available for all campers, on private or commercial properties and other Govt land, clubs events etc. or where any payment (incl paid parking) is made, the new regulations don’t apply. Basically, outside of the ‘free’ council-controlled land the current self-containment standard with the blue card is fine. Cost If you are in a rush to move across to the new self-containment regime, and can find someone to do it, it will cost you the $120 levy to fund PGDB plus the cost of the testing. Strange and unnecessary venting requirements The majority of cassette toilets are industry designed as a sealed system and not vented externally. Under the new regulations the vehicle inspector/testing officer will be required to sign off that your waste water tanks, including your fixed toilet’s cassette, is vented directly to the exterior of the motor vehicle, and designed to prevent entry of birds and vermin. Though unnecessary, this can be done and tested. The alterations will cost an additional $600 + installation costs for each vehicle (for 50,000 NZ vehicles that is more than $30 million). Certifying that legionella has been prevented In addition, the testing officer, without scientific knowledge, will need to certify that your fresh water tanks/containers are suitably insulated or away from heat sources / direct sunlight to prevent legionella. This also applies to external and portable water tanks. Anyone gets legionella: the testing officers are liable. Who is brave enough to sign off on these? It is unlikely that any sane, self-containment testing officer will be happy to sign off on any self-contained vehicle in this situation, given that they are legally liable for any failings. Accordingly, it is highly unlikely that the new PGDB regulations will be able to be implemented in the foreseeable future. A long winding road yet For now there is no need to rush to get to the other side. With Government changes and a new Ministry of Regulation, it’s going to be a long and winding road for a while. There are still more bridges to cross yet, but it’s looking promising. Summer is here, for now, let’s all just get out and enjoy it. Gary Stoneley is co-founder of the All Points Camping Club of NZ and Managing Director of NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd . The regulations The regulations weren’t tested and no, they don’t work. 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 Teardrop © Andrew Morton Teardrop © Andrew Morton 1/1

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Check your wrrant Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are valid? Which cards are valid? Certified Blue before 6/23 , any toilet OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025 (or until your card expires, if earlier). Certified Blue before 6/24 , fixed toilet OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025(or until your card expires, if earlier). Certified Blue, portable toilet You may not freedom camp on public land†. Certified Green (fixed toilet only) It is OK to freedom camp on public land†. Lasts 4 years. All are OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. † What is ‘public land’? All land managed by district and local councils is covered. This can include land otherwise controlled by NZTA, LINZ or DOC. Currently LINZ has 5 freedom camping areas and the new law applies. The new law now applies to DOC sites that require self-containment. ◾️ ckw.nz/linz | ckw.nz/doc-csc Avoid fines and hassles: identify your self-containment The new freedom camping law specifically states that ‘short term parking’, and ‘day-trip excursions,’ are not freedom camping. Recovering from driver fatigue continues to be allowed, and is, specifically, legally, not ‘freedom camping’. Enforcement An enforcement officer may inspect your warrant card . If asked, you must produce the self-containment certificate . An enforcement officer may not inspect inside your vehicle. Where to get you vehicle self-contained ◼️ Images: ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 2

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

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Tokomaru Bay ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Tolaga bay ©2024 Bette Cosgrove GO TO Springing welcoming campers for summer Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer Bette Cosgrove This remote and extraordinarily beautiful part of the Pacific Coast Highway is fully open and welcoming campers for the summer season. The ravages of Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, which completely cut off Te Tairāwhiti along the North Island’s east coast have largely been cleared or repaired along SH35. It is a very special part of Aotearoa New Zealand so try to take your time, enjoying camping in the Gisborne district. Permit applications are open for Raumati/Summer camping period with most sites reopened. Koha is appreciated when applying for a camping permit. You reserve spots via an online booking service that ensures areas are not overcrowded. Making a fair financial contribution to help service these sites is encouraged. About: ckw.nz/camp-tai-rawhiti | Apply for a permit ckw.nz/permit-tai-rawhiti Tokomaru Bay Basic expectations of responsible campers Remember to apply for a permit before you go camping. Tents and non-self-contained and self-contained vehicles are allowed. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when they leave. There is no rubbish collection from any of the seasonal camping areas. #packinpackout #leavenotrace Your dog is allowed at your camp site, but for the safety of other campers they must be under your control. You must pick up and dispose of dog droppings. Drinking water is not available at any camp area, you must bring your own. You must have gas for cooking. No open fires. You must have a chemical toilet — one toilet for every 8 people. ◊ Tolaga Bay Images ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 9

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Beautiful, free, birds & sunsets STOP and STAY Rays Rest Miriam Richardson A thoroughly relaxing, free camp on the Firth of Thames. Ray’s Rest is 4km south of the Kaiaua township, on the Hauraki Rail Trail and about the same distance from the Pūkorokoro–Miranda Shorebird Centre further south. No dogs, no fires, you must be self-contained, and a max of 2 nights. See the gallery for more photos Its a long flat area beside the sea with stunning views across the firth to Coromandel, and sunrises and sunsets refresh the soul, as do the flocks of birds that feast in the shallows when the tide is out. It’s a bit shallow for swimming, and a bit sharp underfoot for paddling. Those with boats go fishing. If you want to exercise rather than relax you can walk, ride or run the Hauraki Rail Trail (e-bikes 300W or less) to get to the fish and chip shop in Kaiau, or the shorebird centre (25min walk), or even do a day trip to Thames (5hr). haurakirailtrail.co.nz Lovely in any weather. Images ©2024 Miriam Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 43

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing popular with families and tents Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Heather Auckram If you are travelling along the Southern Scenic Coast then 10 minutes out of Riverton, turn off Highway 99 and follow the Thornbury Gropers Bush Road. A short drive along the road you will cross a bridge over the Aparima river and see Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve on both sides of the road. It is free to camp for up to 28 days. It has a new long-drop toilet, gravel at the top section, grass at the bottom section and is sheltered from the wind by large trees. Be warned the grassy area gets wet and muddy after rain and many a vehicle has been towed out by the local farmer. It is spacious enough to easily accommodate large vehicles. It is popular with families, tents and all vehicles both self-contained and not, but never so crowded that you won’t find a spot. Do keep your pets under control as it is surrounded by working farms. The Aparima River runs beside the camp. Swimming and fishing are allowed but not during times of heavy rain as it can flood over the paddocks quickly. ◊ Images ©2024 Heather Auckram Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 20

4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Winter at Nokomai Station Dallas Hibbs Up Winter at Nokomai Station on the way to Queenstown. ©2023 Dallas Hibbs Up Up 1/0 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org