8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption campers need really fat cables going the shortest possible distances Watts & Amps Some basic science behind using electricity when camping Graham Leslie Using electricity safely while camping requires some basic knowledge to avoid electrocuting yourself or burning your caravan/camper down. This article explains some of the science behind this. Electricity at its most basic is the flow of electrons along a wire. Electric power is a combination of two things: how many electrons are going along the wire — Amps; and how much force is pushing the electrons along — Volts. It is a bit like using a water blaster, where the power comes from how much water comes out and what pressure it comes out at. Electric power it is measured in Watts. For example, a LED light bulb might use about 8 Watts, a laptop 30 to 70 Watts and an electric kettle uses 2,000 Watts. The power consumption is normally written somewhere on the appliance. The power or Watts is calculated by multiplying Volts by Amps. So if you run a 240 Watt appliance on mains power of 240 Volts, you will only need 1 Amp of electricity. But when you run the same appliance on a 12 Volt system you will need 20 Amps of electricity. 240 Watts = 240 Volts x 1 Amps or240 Watts = 12 Volts x 20 Amps In simple terms, when you have lots of Volts (240 Volts at home) you don’t need many Amps and when you don’t have many Volts (12 Volts camping) you will need heaps of Amps. So, when camping with a 12 Volt system you use heaps of Amps to get the same amount of power as you would at home. The more Amps you use, the quicker you use up the electricity stored in your battery. Look at the Watts on your device and if you are using a 12 Volt battery divide it by 12; this is the Amps the device uses each hour it is on. For a 150 Watt appliance: 150 Watts divided by 12 Volts: 150÷12= 12.5 Amps Remember Amps are the number of electrons flowing down the wire. Using the water blaster analogy, Amps are similar to the amount of water flowing. If you need more water to go down a hose then you will need a thicker hose. So, if you need more Amps to flow down a wire you will then need a thicker wire. Typical cross section of wires 240 Volt home wire needs more insulation. Lots of insulation to avoid electrocution from high Volts. Not much copper wire because not many Amps. (Using a water hose analogy; not much water but under lots of pressure.) 12 Volt camper wire needs more copper wire. Not so much insulation because Volts are low. Lots of copper wire to carry lots of Amps and avoid power loss and fire risk. (Using a water hose analogy; lots of water but not much pressure.) Big enough wire If the wire in your camper is not big enough then you can lose power as it goes down the wire. At the battery you may have 12.5 Volts, but at other end of the wire where the appliance is you may only have 11.5 Volts. The power drop increases with large loads. The power drop along the wire means there is less power available to run your appliance and it may not run properly. The power lost along the wire turns into heat and sometimes this generates enough heat to melt the insulation off the wires and start a fire. See arrows in the photo. To reduce these issues and the fire risk, in 12 Volt RV wiring, you need really fat cables going the shortest possible distances because you are using heaps more Amps than you would with 240 Volt mains power. For instance: A 2,000 Watt kettle draws 8 Amps at home, but in your camper, with an inverter, it would draw 167 Amps (2000 ÷ 12). For that many Amps your cables need to be huge. What might seem like not much power at home could be very different when you are off the grid. 240 Volt mains power and 12 Volt battery systems are both dangerous but in different ways. Why is 240 Volt mains power dangerous? Compared with 12 Volts from your battery, 240 Volts mains power is a bit like a high-pressure hose and the electricity really wants to get out and escape through whatever is close or touching it, including us (which would electrocute us). So electrical equipment with higher voltages (240 Volts) has more insulation around it to keep the electricity in the wire. Why are 12 Volts battery systems dangerous? 12 Volts does not have as much force to push electricity to escape. It is more like very, very low water pressure. So there is less chance of electricity being forced to flow through us and give us an electric shock. However, to get enough power and make up for the lack of pressure (Volts) we increase Amps or current flow. If the wires are not big enough to carry that much current, they can heat up and become a fire risk. Tips for installing a 12 Volt to 240 Volt inverter Set the inverter up as close as possible (short fat cables) to the battery and if need be run an extension cord from the inverter to the appliance. If you are buying an inverter with a big power capacity (anything over 150 Watts) get it professionally installed. Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 28

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

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way Table of contents, Spring, issue 9 Editor 2 Self-containment warrant cards: which ones are valid? 2 Freedom camping and self-containment: where are we at? 2 More for councils and government 3 Featured in the Spring issue 4 Editorial 5 Steampunk— from north to south and back again 7 The re-build of my Toyota van 8 The West Coast in winter 9 Solar basics for dummies 11 Converting your camper van: The Cruzar Campervan story 13 Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights 15 A night in an arboretum 16 Cautionary tyre tale 17 A winter day on Farewell Spit 19 On the shoulder of a god 19 It was freezing 20 Buying used caravans: What you need to look for 21 Buyer beware 22 HOBBIES Home roasted coffee beans 23 Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™ 24 Kiwi ingenuity & insults 24 Fix’n’Rail 25 A new cassette toilet for small spaces: The making of the BlackMOA™ 26 Challenges for local councils 27 North Island hot pool safari 30 RECIPES Making the most of your pressure cooker 31 RECIPES Girdle scones (aka griddle scones) 32 GAME DOC campsites 3: Central NI Fill in the spaces 33 The Aratiatia Dam 34 Stop and Stay City dwellers: your first camp away Stop and Stay 35 Stop and Stay Parua Bay 35 Stop and Stay Waikawa Bay 36 EVENTS Come camping 37 EVENTS Festivals 38 DOC update 39 Getting your camping vehicle certified 40 All Points Camping Club of NZ Self Containment and freedom camping 2 Self-containment warrant cards: which ones are valid? 2 Freedom camping and self-containment: where are we at? 23 Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™ 24 Kiwi ingenuity & insults 24 Fix’n’Rail 25 A new cassette toilet for small spaces: The making of the BlackMOA™ 26 Challenges for local councils Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 3

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward GO TO Here & there last summer Luxury camping Jo Ward CampFest ©2025 Jo Ward More Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 8

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Camping ©2025 Gary Stoneley Getting your camping vehicle certified Gary Stoneley NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification NZ Lifestyle Camping operates as an independent national network for self-containment certification to support the NZ vehicle 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 more than 150 testing officers continues to offer self-containment in accordance with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers, self-containment regulations. We are committed to supporting all types of campers We also offer alternative certification (low cost option) for those who do not freedom camp or for staying at host properties and events. This is suitable for vehicles with portable toilets and tiny homes as evidence of self-containment. FYI: We do not recommend freedom camping while you await your final documentation and window card. Without these you are at risk being fined. NZLC Fees $63: Green (for ‘freedom camping’) warrant and certificate. ✚ Testing officers charge for their time. ✚ $120 government freedom camping levy. $48: Blue ( not for ‘freedom camping’) warrant and certificate. ✚ Testing officers charge for their time. $20: reissue of lost warrant card. Free: an email copy of a certificate. To find or arrange a self-containment check please contact a testing officer near you: nzlifestylecamping.com North Is: ckw.nz/cert-north South Is: ckw.nz/cert-south NZLC provides both blue and green self-containment warrant cards and documentation through our national network of testing officers. New blue warrant cards remain recognised throughout NZ but not for ‘freedom camping’ ( see the detail ). 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 4 For further information check our website NZ  LifestyleCamping.com ◼️ Choose from an independent national network of more than 150 self-containment testing officers ©2024 NZ Lifestyle Camping Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 39

This trip is the adventure I’ve dreamed of my whole life. Something different that will challenge me and possibly the closest I can get to Timbuktu for now, so I’m super excited. Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up NZers go everywhere to camp Up Cheryl Tyler “This trip is the adventure I’ve dreamed of my whole life. Something different that will challenge me and possibly the closest I can get to Timbuktu for now, so I’m super excited. Over the next 3 months I’ll be travelling from Dakar in Senegal, West Africa to Cape Town in South Africa on a motor scooter.” “Etosha National Park: the guard at the gate started his spiel with ‘there are lions around so stay in your vehicle…’ Then looks at us on our bikes and says ‘go that way and don’t stop until you get to the end’.” © 2023 Cheryl Tyler Up Up tiny-Cheryll-guinea_mw.webp tiny-Cheryll-trip-map_mw.webp tiny-cheryl-posed_mw.webp tiny-Cheryll-guinea_mw.webp 1/3

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption The Woodturners Kauri Gallery Parkover NI Dargaville, FREE thewoodturnersstudio.co.nz Offers overnight parking as well as woodturning tuition, a gallery and a shop. Great views of the river, close to dairy, an opshop, takeaways and shopping. WHO: self-contained vehicles, cabins. FACILITIES: large vehicles. Low cost ACTIVITiES: woodturning, kauri gallery, 20 mins walk to town or museum. Dargaville Museum NI Northland, Dargaville, LOW COST dargavillemuseum.co.nz Overlooking the town and river, it tells fascinating stories of the Kauri Coast, Māori, maritime & pioneer. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: picnic spots, walking tracks, cycle trail, also see the Heritage Machinery Museum, pā site. Historic Maritime Museum and Park NI Paeroa, LOW COST historicalmaritimepark.co.nz Home to a collection of goldfield/maritime history. Beautifully laid out grounds, river board walks, daily boat rides and friendly hosts. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, power available ($), ACTIVITiES: museum, picnics, river cruise, rail trail, walking tracks, cycling, kayak launch, pet friendly. Coach House Museum NI Fielding, Manawatū, LOW COST coachhousemuseum.nz Enjoy an outstanding collection of rural NZ heritage— over 140 years of history. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: large vehicles, toilets (open hours), water, pet friendly, wheelchair access. Activities: museum, walk to town. Hawera Holiday Park NI Taranaki, COSTS ckw.nz/hawera-hp Peaceful camp at the edge of town. Hawera’s museums are unique and innovative: Elvis, an underground canal boat ride, local models. WHO: cars, tents, motorhomes. FACILITIES: dump station, power, toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, laundry, wifi, BBQ, family friendly, 5 mins walk to the CBD, pets by arrangement. ACTIVITIES: 3 museums, galleries, climb the tower, 4 opshops, swimming, walking, cycling. Tui Mangatainoka Reserve Campground NI Pahiatua, Wairarapa, FREE ckw.nz/tui Located across the road from the famous Tui Brewery, where you can take a tour. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: toilets, dump station, water, restaurant, pet friendly Activities: brewery tours, walks, swimming, picnics, kayaking, fishing. Antique & Classic Boat Museum SI St Arnaud, LOW COST classicboatmuseum.co.nz Park beside the museum, and enjoy the collection of in-board, out-board and non-powered boats. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: none. ACTIVITIES: museum, walks, cycling, swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, tramping, local adventures. Hanmer DOC Amenity Area SI North Canterbury, FREE A reasonably flat free camping area near town: hot pools, ice rink, shopping, eateries. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: toilet just next door, 15 mins walk to town. ACTIVITIES: hot pools, swimming, museum, craft and art galleries, shopping, eateries, golf, walking, tramping, cycling, many adventure opportunities. Milford POP, Frenally Craft Shop SI Temuka, Sth Canterbury, LOW COST ckw.nz/fb-milford-pop This former school has space to unwind and socialise, indoor and out. Buy crafts or craft supplies. Take a class. Come for a visit, and stay over if you are self-contained. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: craft shop, classes, morning & afternoon teas, pet friendly. Activities: playground, indoor/outdoor social areas, crafting classes. House of Hop Brewery and Restaurant SI Geraldine, FREE facebook.com/houseofhopnz
 houseofhop.co.nz Situated in a quiet rural setting with on site restaurant and craft brewery where you get epic craft beer and sensational food. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: large vehicles, playground, , sheep and alpacas to watch, pet friendly. activities: brewery, restaurant, walks. Naseby Holiday Park SI Central Otago, COSTS nasebyhp.nz In the “ice capital of NZ”, with historic old buildings, quaint pubs and café food. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: power, water, dump station, rubbish, toilets, showers, laundry, kitchen, lounge, playground, wheelchair access, large vehicles, 10 min walk to the town. ACTIVITIES: luge, curling, ice-skating, dog sled riding, Dark Skies star gazing, walks, mountain biking, orienteering, cycling, walking, gold panning, close to Otago Rail Trail. Tui Base Camp SI Tuatapere, Southland, COSTS tuibasecamp.co.nz Walk to the Bushman’s Museum, craft and art galleries. Family friendly, weekly rates. WHO: tents, vans, campervans, backpackers. FACILITIES: toilet, showers, laundry, kitchen, power, spa, sauna, dump station, playground, wifi, café, bar, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: museum, galleries, mini golf, bush walks, tramping, guided trips, jet boating. for the rainy days STOP and STAY Stop and stay in winter Stop and Stay Places that provide poor-weather activities onsite or nearby. stopandstaynz.org NORTH ISLAND The Woodturners Kauri Gallery Parkover Dargaville, LOW COST thewoodturnersstudio.co.nz Offers overnight parking as well as woodturning tuition, a gallery and a shop. Great views of the river, close to dairy, an opshop, takeaways and shopping. WHO: self-contained vehicles, cabins. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: woodturning, kauri gallery, 20 mins walk to town or museum. Dargaville Museum Northland, LOW COST dargavillemuseum.co.nz Overlooking the town and river, it tells fascinating stories of the Kauri Coast, Māori, maritime & pioneer. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: picnic spots, walking tracks, cycle trail, also see the Heritage Machinery Museum, pā site. Historic Maritime Museum and Park Paeroa, LOW COST historicalmaritimepark.co.nz Home to a collection of goldfield/maritime history. Beautifully laid out grounds, river board walks, daily boat rides and friendly hosts. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, power available ($), ACTIVITiES: museum, picnics, river cruise, rail trail, walking tracks, cycling, kayak launch, pet friendly. Coach House Museum Fielding, Manawatū, LOW COST coachhousemuseum.nz Enjoy an outstanding collection of rural NZ heritage— over 140 years of history. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, toilets (open hours), water, pet friendly, wheelchair access. ACTIVITIES: museum, walk to town. Hawera Holiday Park Taranaki, COSTS ckw.nz/hawera-hp Peaceful camp at the edge of town. Hawera’s museums are unique and innovative: Elvis, an underground canal boat ride, local models. WHO: cars, tents, motorhomes. FACILITIES: dump station, power, toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, laundry, wifi, BBQ, family friendly, 5 mins walk to the CBD, pets by arrangement. ACTIVITIES: 3 museums, galleries, climb the tower, 4 opshops, swimming, walking, cycling. Tui Mangatainoka Reserve Campground Pahiatua, Wairarapa, FREE ckw.nz/tui Located across the road from the famous Tui Brewery, where you can take a tour. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: toilets, dump station, water, restaurant, pet friendly ACTIVITIES: brewery tours, walks, swimming, picnics, kayaking, fishing. SOUTH ISLAND Antique & Classic Boat Museum St Arnaud, LOW COST classicboatmuseum.co.nz Park beside the museum, and enjoy the collection of in-board, out-board and non-powered boats. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: none. ACTIVITIES: museum, walks, cycling, swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, tramping, local adventures. Hanmer DOC Amenity Area North Canterbury, FREE A reasonably flat free camping area near town: hot pools, ice rink, shopping, eateries. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: toilet just next door, 15 mins walk to town. ACTIVITIES: hot pools, swimming, museum, craft and art galleries, shopping, eateries, golf, walking, tramping, cycling, many adventure opportunities. Milford POP, Frenally Craft Shop Temuka, LOW COST ckw.nz/fb-milford-pop This former school has space to unwind and socialise, indoor and out. Buy crafts or craft supplies. Take a class. Come for a visit, and stay over if you are self-contained. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: craft shop, classes, morning & afternoon teas, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: playground, indoor/outdoor social areas, crafting classes. Join All Points Camping for a weekend here in September 2024 ckw.nz/clandeboye House of Hop Brewery and Restaurant Geraldine, South Canterbury, FREE facebook.com/houseofhopnz houseofhop.co.nz Situated in a quiet rural setting with on site restaurant and craft brewery where you get epic craft beer and sensational food. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, playground, sheep and alpacas to watch, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: brewery, restaurant, walks. Naseby Holiday Park Central Otago, COSTS nasebyhp.nz In the “ice capital of NZ”, with historic old buildings, quaint pubs and café food. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: power, water, dump station, rubbish, toilets, showers, laundry, kitchen, lounge, playground, wheelchair access, large vehicles, 10 min walk to the town. ACTIVITIES: luge, curling, ice-skating, dog sled riding, Dark Skies star gazing, walks, mountain biking, orienteering, cycling, walking, gold panning, close to Otago Rail Trail. Tui Base Camp Tuatapere, Southland, COSTS tuibasecamp.co.nz Walk to the Bushman’s Museum, craft and art galleries. Family friendly, weekly rates. WHO: tents, vans, campervans, backpackers. FACILITIES: toilet, showers, laundry, kitchen, power, spa, sauna, dump station, playground, wifi, café, bar, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: museum, galleries, mini golf, bush walks, tramping, guided trips, jet boating. A list for travellers and campers in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. View, download or print: stopandstaynz.org Add your spots for stopping: ckw.nz/add-one-now Open to all, courtesy of NZ's national camping club, All Points Camping . Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 40

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Terrybull, by Regan Cooper, winner, People’s Choice ©2023 Gary Stoneley Terrybull, by Regan Cooper, winner, People’s Choice ©2023 Gary Stoneley kimbolton23_5ed_MW.webp The weekend camping was hosted and managed by the All Points Camping Club of NZ with camping proceeds going towards sponsorship of the People’s Choice award. The weekend camping was hosted and managed by the All Points Camping Club of NZ with camping proceeds going towards sponsorship of the People’s Choice award. recycled and found materials, gems from the back of the shed, made into unique sculptures Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 Gary Stoneley As with previous Kimbolton Sculpture Festivals the Kimbolton Rural Art committee put on a fantastic one-day festival. Together with 200 other campers, we had the opportunity to camp in the paddock at the back of the festival from Friday through to Saturday. There’s nothing like being right on the spot where all the action happens. The festival is a mix of small to very large artworks, sculptures with mainly a rural theme, put together using all manner of bits and pieces from shearing blades to bike tyres. The artworks are always impressive and it’s hard to comprehend the hundreds of hours of work that are put into creating them. This year’s sculptures had a very high quality of finish and I wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t more than a few tears of frustration and exhaustion mixed with the passion and satisfaction in completing a masterpiece. Terrybull, by Regan Cooper, winner, People’s Choice ©2023 Gary Stoneley As well as the adult-entry competition sculptures there were competitions for local students and schools. A large number of craft and food stalls were distributed around the venue with something for everyone. There was a busy and lively vibe throughout the day that continued until a blast of rain put a bit of a damper on the event. The weekend camping was hosted and managed by the All Points Camping Club of NZ with camping proceeds going towards sponsorship of the People’s Choice award. This year Regan Cooper’s winning sculpture ‘Terrybull’ (above) was well worthy of the $1,000 prize money. A great weekend, well-enjoyed by campers and festival attendees alike. We are looking forward to the next Sculpture Festival scheduled for April 2025. NEXT: April ‘25 Put it in your diary now. Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 29

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Freedom camping at Bendigo, Lake Dunstan, Otago ©2024 Andrew Morton Where are we at? Freedom camping and self-containment Miriam Richardson At the government level The government has changed the regulations so that venting of toilet cassettes is no longer required. The Minister has so far not responded to submissions to extend the end of the transition period beyond June 2025, though the pressure to do so continues. There is still insufficient inspection capacity for currently self-contained vehicles to transition to a new green warrant by then. (All blue warrants become invalid for freedom camping at the end of the transition period; all freedom campers must have a green warrant at that point, currently Jun ’25.) At the council level Just over half of all councils have a current freedom camping bylaw. Councils are required to revise exisiting bylaws by June 2025. Many seem unaware of the need, urgency, or complexity of complying with the new law. As tourist numbers increase over summer, those without current bylaws will not be able to enforce many of the new freedom camping laws.There will likely be a rush to write and implement new bylaws — though rushing is not possible if they are to be done appropriately ( see p26 ). Make sure to have your say when your council asks. Councils are beginning to decide how to determine homelessness, which is not, by definition, ‘freedom camping’. The legislation doesn’t help them with this. Some councils use the lack of a self-containment warrant as proof of homelessness! At the certification level Training of inspectors continues with both NZ Lifestyle Camping and the NZMCA, the two biggest Certifying Authorities (CA). NZMCA is to begin issuing green warrants in October. There are still not enough inspectors to get everyone certified by June ’25. The PGDB, which oversees Certification Authorities, is beginning the process of working out how to do it. If you don’t want to freedom camp, you can prove your self-containment with an orange (NZ Lifestyle Camping) or yellow (NZMCA) warrant; or you can still get and use the old blue warrants, for a time at least. You only have to pay the $120 PGDB freedom camping levy for the green warrant. There are quite a few small CAs, and the problems of differing judgments on what is required for a green warrant is beginning to cloud the horizon. How inconsistencies get managed/resolved is an unknown. We campers Many people have gone ahead to get a green warrant, and can now “carry on camping”. Some renewed their blue warrant in time to maximise their transition time. Others were unaware of the blue warrant timetable and find themselves blocked from freedom camping until they upgrade to a green warrant. See above for which warrants are valid for what. if you need a warrant see p39 . There are new, smaller toilets and some brackets addressing the fixed-toilet requirement, with a range of prices, which is a relief to the many who are in the process of making or modifying their vehicles for freedom camping. (See pages 23 , 24 , 25 ). The lack of clarity or consistency across the country is going to be an ongoing challenge for those of us freedom camping. ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 2

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Hakatere Corner ©2024 Fiona Thomson The stone cottage The stone cottage — constructed in 1862 — is one of mid-Canterbury’s oldest residences, and is listed as a Historic Place Category 2 building. ©2024 Fiona Thomson A backdrop of stunning mountains This is one of New Zealand’s best examples of wetland habitat, where lizards, skinks and wētā have made their home alongside native fish and invertebrates. ©2024 Fiona Thomson A backdrop of stunning mountains ©2024 Fiona Thomson A backdrop of stunning mountains Rugged stony greywacke riverbeds and mountain scree ©2024 Fiona Thomson Erewhon Station ©2024 Fiona Thomson Clydesdales and cattle ©2024 Fiona Thomson Highland cattle ©2024 Fiona Thomson Lake Camp ©2024 Fiona Thomson GO TO Autumn Gold breathtakingly beautiful Hakatere Conservation Park Fiona Thomson I have fond memories of camping near Lake Clearwater in the Hakatere Conservation Park, near Ashburton in the South Island. Hakatere Conservation Park is a protected mountain basin, covering 60,000 hectares of rugged mountains where the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers were formed. The landscape here is breathtakingly beautiful, hosting a number of swamps, tarns and rivers, against a backdrop of stunning mountains. Tussock and beech forest cover much of the park alongside the rugged stony greywacke riverbeds and mountain scree, the area being established as a Conservation Park in 2007, by the Department of Conservation. The wetland area provides a protected environment for many rare and threatened plants, and is home to many bird species.This is one of New Zealand’s best examples of wetland habitat, where lizards, skinks and wētā have made their home alongside native fish and invertebrates. We began our exploration of this area by visiting the buildings at Hakatere Corner — which were the original accomodation for the manager, and shearer’s quarters for Hakatere Station. Hakatere Station Hakatere is the Māori name for the Ashburton River, and the name that was given to this high country station.The stone cottage — constructed in 1862 — is one of mid-Canterbury’s oldest residences, and is listed as a Historic Place Category 2 building. As part of our taste of the high country we drove to the public road’s end: the gate of Erewon Station, and were delighted to be welcomed by Highland cattle, and Clydesdale horses. More Clydesdales on p11. Highland cattle at Erewhon. Some of our group made the 30-minute climb up Mount Sunday — a stunning large piece of rock that was carved out by glaciers thousands of years ago, and sits as a boundary point for the nearby high country stations. Mount Sunday was appropriately named, as it was the regular meeting spot for many shepherds who worked locally; back in the day, they would meet on this hill on their only day off: Sundays! More recently, it was the film site for Edoras in the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Lake Camp is a basic reserve area, where overnight camping is permitted on the edge of the lake, on the northern and eastern sides. There are public toilets. There is a second option for camping at Lake Clearwater paying at an honesty box. The camping ground can be found near the boat ramp at the southern end of Lake Clearwater. Water is provided there but must be boiled for drinking. There are no dogs allowed near any of the lakes or reserves in the area. Lake Camp We had a very pleasant evening staying at Lake Camp. This is a fantastic region to explore and one we will return to. Images ©2024 Fiona Thomson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 19

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

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption 1988 Bringing inner tubes back to camp atfer blowing them up at a local garage 1973 My sisters Rhonda and Fiona cooking sausages on the fire 1988-e- Our old Van with and improvised awning and my friends ex police motorbike_mw.we 1988 Sitting on the big inner tube telling tall stories to friends kids_mw.webp 1988 Our old Van with improvised Awning and friends motor bike next the little carvan 1988 camp with old fomica bench under the trees and the often explosive Anchor Kerosene. 1988 Bringing inner tubes back to camp atfer blowing them up at a local garage 1988 Everyone on the big tube from a log loader. 1988 Everyone comes off the big tube from a log loader 1993 Our baby daughters bath on her first trip to Morisons bush 1994 Whanua set up at camp 1995 Christmas Morning ready for presents 1995 Christmas Day 1995 Collecting driftwood for the fire was part of the routine then No fires are allowed now. 2000 Our son's 7th birthday 2000 the kids sit at their own table for christmas 2001 Christmas Dinner 2001 Jan hasty pack up as the river floods. We only needed to move out for about 6 hours 2001 Roast dinner from the camp ovens off the fire. Sadly fires no longer allowed 2003 3 caravans and Mum has a camper now 2006 setting up camp 2007 a large dinning fly provides a good communal space 2007 doing dishes after shared meal 2007 Hamocks between the trees 2007 Kids ready for a swim 50 years of camping at Morison’s Bush Graham Leslie A lot of families have a special place they go to camp year after year, ours is Morison’s Bush. I think it was 1973 when I first went camping at Morison’s Bush, but I believe people were camping and picnicking there for many years before that. In some ways it is nothing special — just a grassy area under rugged old manuka trees in a big sweeping bend of the Ruamahanga River. It is between Greytown and Martinborough, at the very end of Glenmorven Road in the southern Wairarapa. But in other ways it is my family’s special happy place where we have camped together over the last 50 years. Mostly we’ve camped there for the long weekends in summer. View of Morisons Bush from the road in. 1973 My sisters Rhonda and Fiona cooking. 1998 Bringing inner tubes to camp after blowing them up at a local garage. 1970 & 80s In the 1970s we camped there as young teenagers with our parents. One time our father rigged a flying fox between the trees and set up a block and tackle swing to lift ourselves up into the trees to the flying fox. In 1986 when we were grown up, didn’t have much money, and almost no camping gear, we returned to Morison’s Bush for the New Year break. We brought our friends who at that time were solo mums with babies on their hips and a motley collection of other young adults. We arrived on several motor bikes, an almost-tidy Morris Minor and a very beat-up old Morris J4 van. Mrs Morison, the owner at the time, thought we looked a bit rough and warned us to behave. She didn’t realise it would be a very quiet camp with the need to get the babies to sleep and our relative poverty limiting our alcohol budget. We took the seats out of the vehicles to provide deck chairs. left 1988 Our old van with improvised awning and friend’s motorbike, next to the little caravan that was then Mum & Dads and has now been passed down, via us, to our son. right 1988 The old formica bench under the trees and the often explosive Anchor Kerosene pressure lantern in the near tree. Later we scored an old Formica bench top we set up on trestles for food preparation. We generally cooked on a campfire. Our tents were small. Later, one of the girls made us a toilet tent to go over a hole we dug for a toilet. Our favourite pastime was floating down the river on vehicle inner tubes. The best tyre was from a forestry log loader on which we could sit half a dozen people at a time. My parents and sisters also joined our weekends away, although they often liked to camp a bit separate from us. 1990s In the 1990s our children and their cousins were born and came to camp at Morison’s Bush as babies (our son was 5 days old for his first camp). With annual trips for Christmas, New Year, Anniversary and Waitangi weekends, Morison’s Bush became the place where we could reflect on how the kids had grown from last year. Slowly the camping gear increased with bits that were homemade or bought secondhand, and eventually caravans and campers were added to the mix. Being relatively close to Wellington, friends and their families often joined us for a day or days. As our children grew older, they invited their friends and eventually set up their own parallel camps. It was great when the young people did their own catering and we, the older generation, enjoyed nice food and drink amongst ourselves. 1993 Our baby daughter’s bath on her first trip to Morisons Bush. left 1995 Whanau set-up at camp. 1995 Christmas Day. above left 1995 Collecting driftwood for the fire was part of the routine then. No fires are allowed now. 2000s Now we are the grandparents, and we watch our grandchildren finding their feet at Morison’s Bush. The repeated visits over the years have marked the different stages of our lives. We have had multiple Christmases and birthdays and a wedding there. For us Morison’s Bush remains a special place and we hope to enjoy relaxing there for many more years. The land now belongs to Brian Tucker and he has been a good host and charges a small fee for camping. There is now a permanent fire ban, and unfortunately the Ruamahanga river is not so clean. A couple of long drop toilets have been installed. In the old days, almost everyone camped in tents but now there are more caravans and campers. You need to bring your own water and take away all rubbish. Pets are allowed but need to be kept under control. 2016 Still collecting firewood but the kids do the work. Still some green paint on the trailer. 2001 Christmas Dinner. above 2001 A hasty pack up as the river floods. 2007 A large dinning fly provides a good communal space. above 2011 Cards in the afternoon.   above 2016 Our niece’s wedding group shot. 2023 All Points Club camp, Waitangi weekend: returning for Waitangi 2024. right 2023 Grandad tries to have an afternoon nap All Points Camping is planning its second camp there from 2 to 6 February 2024 (p35); maybe I will see you there. n Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 27