7 Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Right to the top of the headland then over to the petrified forest © 2024 Maurie Edwards The petrified forest If for no other reason, the petrified forest is a good enough reason to visit. © 2024 Maurie Edwards Campground © 2024 Maurie Edwards We made it to Curio Bay Maurie Edwards Well we made it to Curio Bay on Monday afternoon, after an 8¾ hour drive. I did the Balclutha to Curio Bay run. Jeeze it’s like Gisborne to Tolaga Bay 5 times non stop. And the road’s crap as well. Lots of soft spots on the fog line where the seal has been squeezed out of the holes and looks like 9 or 10 inches from top to bottom. Then there’s the normal refills that aren’t working or didn’t work. I guess the message is, the roads around the country are generally not fit for purpose, so drive and be very wary — scan the road 30 or 40 meters ahead so you can mitigate the risks. I guess I’m lucky. I had good patient teachers in the military, on trucks with power steering by arm and shoulder movement only. Anyway, greeted by reception and allocated a site. We asked for as close to the amenities as possible as we are broken arses. No worries, got a great site. Hauled out our new air tent and with some glitches got set up in about an hour. Cook a feed, take meds, do washing up, tidy up and hit the sack. Day two, up at sparrow fart and do a recce, have breakfast then off exploring. Right to the top of the headland then over to the petrified forest. If for no other reason, the petrified forest is a good enough reason to visit. The sites are natural land and each site is surrounded by mature harakeke. The first sound you are greeted by is something that sounds like it’s a stuka of WW2 vintage. Then you start bleeding and realise its fekin Curio Bay sandflies. Despite the bombers it’s a pretty good camp. For a few nights or a day trip it’s a pretty cool place. n The Catlins, Southland, Photos © 2024 Maurie Edwards STATUS: Campground. Not affected by law changes. GO TO Celebrating Summer Despite the fekin Curio Bay sandflies bombers it’s a pretty good camp. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 5 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption keeping-up-MNR_2467_H.webp This issue and the last issue Keeping up with self-containment Editor In this issue: 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 ︎ 43 RV and business services From issue 7, Autumn 2024 We are in the ‘transition period,’ moving from the old ‘blue’ warrant system to the new ‘green’ warrant system. So you want to freedom camp, Issue 7, p8 Enforcement of freedom camping rules, Issue 7, p12 Offences to avoid when freedom camping. Who has to pay, do you know you have been ‘infringed’? What information are you required to give? And more. ‘I am not freedom camping’ cards, Issue 7, p14 . Every camping vehicle is now at risk of substantial fines, as the new offence of “preparing to freedom camp” is defined as “parking”. Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West, Issue 7, p18 . Why stick to the law if you can get away with whatever takes your fancy? Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system, Issue 6 p2 . A gaze into the green crystal ball of hope. What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? Issue 7, p10 Photo: ©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 14

Really feeling autumny now! Whakaipo Bay, DOC camp at Taupo. BUY PDF CONTENTS Spring 2023 ISSUE 5 Up Really feeling autumny now! Owain Humphreys Really feeling autumny now! Whakaipo Bay, DOC camp at Taupo. ©2023 Owain Humphreys Up Up Up 1/1

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Freedom van camping ©2024 Bette Cosgrove The new law allows freedom camping everywhere for self-contained vehicles and tents unless it is controlled by a bylaw. Challenges for local councils Bette Cosgrove The Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation 2023 / revised Freedom Camping Act 2011 presents significant challenges for councils across New Zealand as they strive to comply. The laws and regulations mandate that councils update pre-existing freedom camping bylaws by June 2025 to align with changes made to the national legislation. The previous definition of self-containment (using the old NZS5465:2001) is no longer usable in a bylaw. By default, the new law allows freedom camping everywhere for self-contained vehicles and tents. To control freedom camping, a council needs a bylaw and making a new bylaw (or significantly updating an old one), requires careful consideration and extensive public consultation. Councils that have no bylaw are very limited in what they can enforce. Councils must ensure that their regulations are not only compliant but also practical and enforceable. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the legislation, as well as the specific needs and contexts of their communities. The process is complex and time-consuming, often requiring legal and logistical expertise that may not be readily available at the local level. Local Government New Zealand supported councils with an updated model bylaw in January: ckw.nz/bylaw-guidance . Managing freedom camping sites poses another hurdle. The making of a bylaw Councils need to identify suitable locations that meet self-containment criteria or specifically allocate areas for non-self-contained vehicles, while balancing the needs of residents, local businesses, and the environment. This can lead to tensions within communities, particularly in popular tourist areas where the influx of freedom campers can strain local resources and infrastructure. Public consultation is critical in this process, yet it can be challenging to engage diverse community voices effectively. Councils must navigate differing opinions on freedom camping, ranging from support for tourism to concerns about environmental impacts and local amenity as well as considering the needs of local iwi. Camping restrictions can only be applied with good reason and evidence that there is a need to either: protect the environment, the local people or access to a public place. Funding and enforcement To facilitate bylaw updates, councils have accessed portions of a 2-year $10m transition fund from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The bulk of this fund was sourced from the International Visitors Levy (IVL) which has recently been increased from $35 to $100 per incoming person. Despite about 80% of freedom campers being domestic tourists, the provision of financial support for management of freedom camping was drawn from our international visitors. That hardly seems equitable. (The $1.9m fund given to the Plumbers, Drainlayers and Gasfitters Board to establish the vehicle self containment system was also sourced from the IVL.) The allocation and management of the contestable transition funding was limited to only those councils who applied. Funds were for education and the development of future freedom camping management strategies. Councils have used some of these funds for enforcement and patrols to monitor sites and in some cases collect fines for breaches of the law. Freedom van camping. ©2024 Bette Cosgrovwe As tourist numbers increase with an expectation of a busy summer ahead, we will likely see local governments who did not get a share of these funds, finding it increasingly difficult to enforce the self-containment of vehicles under the legislation. There will also be a rush to write and implement new bylaws. Currently just over half of all councils across Aotearoa have a current freedom camping bylaw. The transition funding has now come to an end, so it’s very unclear how councils will be able to afford to continue these monitoring/enforcement services. They will be asking ratepayers to fund this in future or hope it is self-funding via infringement collection. Fines are now a minimum of $400 but historically only a small percentage are paid. Have your say in your area, and the areas you visit It’s clear that local councils now face a multifaceted set of challenges as they work to either create, upgrade or enforce their bylaws to implement the revised Freedom Camping Act 2011. If you care about protection of freedom camping sites, or preserving your right to freedom camp in your local area, keep an eye out for community engagement and feedback requests. Many councils have already begun these processes and you can exercise your democratic right to have your say. ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 26

I’ve been enjoying a few days away at one of my favourite spots, The Homestead Campsite near Saint Bathans. BUY PDF CONTENTS Spring 2023 ISSUE 5 Up The Homestead, St Bathans Tony Kissell I’ve been enjoying a few days away at one of my favourite spots, The Homestead Campsite near Saint Bathans. Photos © 2023 Tony Kissell Up Up Up The Homestead Campsite Click on the gallery for a full size view 1/6

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Ordinary cycle Stephen Wood Ordinary cycle Staying in Oamaru after attending a cycle event at the Waimate velodrome organised by the Oamaru Ordinary Cycle Club. ©2024 Stephen Wood Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 15

Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF CONTENTS Issue 10, Summer 2024 Cover image: Waiorongomai Valley ©2024 Greg Lokes Editorial Come Camping Stop and Stay Contribute About TESTING DYNAMIC ISSUE 10 Table of contents Double-digit highways Next SH 32/41, West of Lake Taupo Next SH45 The Surf Coast Highway, Te Ika a Maui North Island Next SH60 Richmond to Collingwood, Tasman Next Butchers Dam aurora Next We got bogged: “Because it’d be funner,” he said Next And people wonder why I like camping Next Springing Next What a difference a day makes Next Waitaki first day Next Ōtaki Rivermouth Next NIWA summer forecast Next Camp Fest ‘25 Next All roads lead to Camp Fest Next I really like the Waiouru Army Museum Next Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer Next Freedom camping news Next Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are valid? Next But I am not freedom camping… Next A roof-top tent Next Revolutionizing Kiwi camping with Fix’n’Rail Next What is out there Next This is the summer to visit Queenstown Next The Wairau Next Getting your camping vehicle certified Next Dealing with a caravan flat Next Sunday morning caravan Lego Next Old Blue Next Kea attack Next First time out with my new tent Next Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Next Temple Stream Next Marfells Beach Next Exploring Clandyboye Next Being able to get out into nature Next Making camping more accessible for everyone Next Caravan tales Next Dannevirke Holiday Park is making its facilities more accessible Next What a view to wake up to Next Danseys Pass Next From rugby to pets — How Covid19 started the tail wagging on HELPP VET Next Pippa in the hammock Next Planning to camp with your pet? Resources Next My day at the Ellesmere A&P Show Next The Slow Road Next My day at Ferrymead Next NZ Cheese Festival Next A long weekend on the Waikato River Next Safe toilet chemicals Next The fairy forest walk Next Teeming at Terako Downs Next Terako Downs entrance Next Up, up the Waiorongomai Valley Next Favourite and quick camping meals Next Alice cooking dinner on the BBQ Next Heating a pie Next Ordinary cycle Next Fishing in the snow Next Trying out my new quilt Next GAME: DOC campsites 4: Lower North Island Next HOBBIES: Disc golf Next Stop and Stay: City dwellers: 2nd camp: more adventurous Next Lake Poaka Next Rays Rest Next DOC update Next Uretiti Next King’s Birthday camp at Kekerengu Next Foxton Beach Next Three nights at Conway Flats Next Fantastic time at the Onearo campground Next Come camping Next Festivals Next The All Points Camping Club of NZ Next A summer of content: editorial Next Councils & Government Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer Read But I am not freedom camping… Read This is the summer to visit Queenstown Read Getting your camping vehicle certified Read Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Read Being able to get out into nature Read Making camping more accessible for everyone Read Dannevirke Holiday Park is making its facilities more accessible Read Safe toilet chemicals Read A summer of content: editorial Read Self-containment & Freedom Camping Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer Read Freedom camping news Read Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are valid? Read But I am not freedom camping… Read This is the summer to visit Queenstown Read Getting your camping vehicle certified Read Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Read Being able to get out into nature Read Making camping more accessible for everyone Read Caravan tales Read Safe toilet chemicals Read View More

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing bring the tent, bring the kids The All Points Camping Club of NZ ALL POINTS CAMPING CLUB of NZ We are proud to sponsor this issue of Camping the Kiwi Way Brought to you by NZ’s inclusive, friendly, camping club, for your reading pleasure. Family membership to the All Points Camping Club gives you: ✶ Membership support ✶ Friendly, inclusive camping events ✶ Nationwide savings ✶ Lobbying support for campers’ rights. You don’t have to have a self-contained vehicle to join. You don’t have to be a member to come to our events. It’s more than just a club, it’s like one big family. Come along to one of our events near you.Bring the tent, bring the kids. Image: ©2024 Margaret Earle Join now only $35NZ’s national camping club Join here: www.allpointscampingnz.org ✶ When the benefits far exceed the cost you’d be crazy not to take it up. ✶ Our values: compassion, inclusion, support and encouragement Top image: Motukarara, Canterbury. ©2022 Linda Butler. Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 48

4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Self containment changes in brief Gary Stoneley Up Currently self contained If your vehicle is currently certified, this is valid... ...until it expires, or until 7 June ‘25, whichever comes first. This is true whatever kind of toilet you have. Not currently self contained It is now illegal to camp free on any council-controlled land unless it is clearly designated for non self contained vehicles. Many local authorities do not yet have areas for free camping even though they are now required to do so. New or renewing before 7 Dec Permanently fitted toilet: you can get a regular blue warrant, expiring 7/6/25. Portable toilet: a blue warrant, marked “Not issued per Freedom Camping Act”. New regulations: 7 Dec ‘23 From 7 Dec this year all new self containment certificates will be issued under the new regulations (requiring a permanently fitted toilet). You get a green warrant. Valid for four years. It will cost more. From 7 June 2025 Self contained A self contained vehicle must be certified under the new regulations. A green warrant. Not self contained If you do not have a self contained vehicle, or are unable to meet the new requirements, it is expected that local authorities will designate camping areas for non self-contained vehicles although these may not be conveniently located. You will not be subject to self containment costs. Where you can camp has changed The changes in the act are not just about what is in your van or motorhome, it is also about where you can camp. The new act now requires certain kinds of self containment in certain places, but has no effect on other places. We have made a chart showing who can camp where: ckw.nz/camp-where We will keep this updated as the many confusing aspects of this new act are clarified. MORE We answer your questions: ckw.nz/FAQ ckw.nz/official-fc-changes ckw.nz/fc-change-pdf (download the official pdf) Up Up Where you can camp has changed too 1/0 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS 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

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption limestone crags set up for climbing and abseiling (byo gear and skills)/ ©2024 Emma Pearson limestone crags set up for climbing and abseiling (byo gear and skills). ©2024 Emma Pearson celebrate-waipu-3.jpg ©2024 Emma Pearson celebrate-waipu-6.jpg ©2024 Emma Pearson The campground: Big flat 9m by 9m tent sites plus parking (vehicle camping sites available too), well-equipped kitchen, flush toilets and hot showers ©2024 Emma Pearson The campground: Big flat 9m by 9m tent sites plus parking (vehicle camping sites available too), well-equipped kitchen, flush toilets and hot showers ©2024 Emma Pearson A campfire... ... playground, farm animals to visit and super helpful and friendly owners. ©2024 Emma Pearson My 3 boys absolutely loved it, as did I! In two minds Emma Pearson In two minds about posting this as it was so wonderful to have had it all to ourselves (the way I like it this side of Xmas!) for 3 nights! But its such a cool place I can’t not share and recommend it. I just got back from camping at Waipu Caves Farm Park (not the same as Waipu Caves DOC campsite), Northland. Such a cool place that’s only recently opened to public camping. My 3 boys absolutely loved it, as did I! Big flat 9m by 9m tent sites plus parking (vehicle camping sites available too), well-equipped kitchen, flush toilets and hot showers, fantastic network of walking and biking tracks around limestone boulders and crags and (marked) tomos, a cave tour (stalactites and glow worms; see page 25 ), river with swimming holes, eels, crayfish etc to discover, limestone crags set up for climbing and abseiling (byo gear and skills), a campfire, playground, farm animals to visit and super helpful and friendly owners. Definitely my new favourite spot and would definitely recommend it! n ©2024 Emma Pearson Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 9

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption No summer bugs
, no too-hot nights: winter van life can be magnificent. Winter’s here… Bette Cosgrove Some of our most glorious times camping or doing road trips have been in the winter season when you can often have camp spots to yourselves, roads are less busy, and nature's elements bring both challenges and a deeper colour and beauty to the places you camp. Even tent camping, with the right set up, can be a richer and more interesting experience in the colder months when some sites are more likely to allow cosy open fires and there are no summer bugs or overly hot nights to disturb your sleep. We all know that sitting around a campfire under the stars can be a truly magical experience. How do you make winter camping more comfortable? Here’s a few favourite tips and tricks for keeping warm, dealing with cold, wind, rainy days, and embracing the colder months outdoors for enjoyable winter camping trips. It just takes a little extra preparation and the right gear. Heating ✤ On really cold nights the secret is to get nice and warm just before getting into bed. ✤ In a vehicle, you can run your engine and turn the vehicle heater on with all your thermal curtains up — about ten minutes will make your whole vehicle toasty. ✤ A diesel heater is great and so efficient you may only need it on for ten minutes to get hot. Either install one with its own separate small tank or you may be able to connect to your vehicle’s supply if you run off diesel. ✤ There are great new tent heaters on the market now that run off cassette gas bottles and pump warm air into the tent if you're under canvas. Insulation ✤ Put up front window screen thermal shade as early as possible; a lot of heat is lost here. ✤ Get large silver bubble thermal shades at any auto supplier or hardware store.Make thermal fitted shades to fit the shapes of all windows using silver foil shades and a layer of thermal drape. ✤ Line the inside of your windows with bubble wrap as an inexpensive option. ✤ Put up thermal drape curtains. Recycled curtains from op shops are great to make these. Condensation is NOT your friend ✤ Remember to towel dry the window condensation that builds up in the morning. Put this towel over your dashboard to dry when travelling in the day with a window cracked open, or dry it outside (you don’t want that moisture back inside). ✤ Get windows open in the day to dry everything out. ✤ Buy a couple of containers of DAMPRID from a hardware store and have it out at all times to soak up moisture. ✤ Don’t let wet clothing sit around in your vehicle or tent, creating moisture for condensation — find a local laundrette for fast efficient washing and drying of large loads. Being warm in bed is essential ✤ Go to an op shop and find an old pure wool blanket to put under your mattress (never mind if it has stains or some holes) and a large polar fleece blanket over-layer that tucks down all sides. Find these too in charity stores or at The Warehouse. ✤ A quality sleeping bag or a feather duvet will keep your heat in the bed. ✤ There are 12v electric blankets if you have access to power. ✤ Wear quality socks and a wool hat to bed. Find these too at second hand stores if you’re on a budget. A light merino cap is super-warm to sleep in. Or drape a wide polar fleece scarf/shawl over your head and shoulders at night. ✤ Boiling up water for a hot water bottle at night (at least 1 hottie for each person) is all you need to stay toasty in a quality sleeping bag or under a feather duvet. You can recycle hottie bottle water into tomorrow night’s hottie boil up. Keep a lid on, and the steam in, while boiling. ✤ Get a wee fluffy doggo to cuddle up to. Hot water ✤ You might like to boil up water for a thermos so you can have a hot drink first thing in the morning without having to wait in the cold for a kettle to boil. ✤ Hot thermos water might be needed to unfreeze pipes or door latches in the morning. Keep yourself warm and dry ✤ Thermal and light, natural fibre and merino layers do the trick for pyjamas; leggings and tops are perfect under your clothes during the day too. ✤ There’s usually no bad weather for camping, just poor clothing — layer up with natural fibres and get a great waterproof and windproof coat and good warm socks and gloves with the iconic gumboots. Even these are often found at opshops, if you're on a budget. Sitting around a campfire under the stars is a truly magical experience. Photo ©2023 Jono Collins Best winter activities ✤ Get rugged up and bush walk… it’s usually a very sheltered place to enjoy. ✤ Jump in an icy river, lake or beach for some cold water therapy! The best! ✤ Enjoy a good hot pancake brekky, and of course any excuse for hot chocolate making and marshmallow toasting over a fire. ✤ Star gazing, with a telescope or not, is always a favourite on long, clear winters’ nights so grab an astronomy chart or load them on your mobile device and identify the constellations. ✤ Visit small towns with great cafés, libraries and book stores. Rainy day activities ✤ Indoor games, charades, good books, puzzle books and if you have WiFi, podcasts or a movie on the tablet can fill the time on a bad weather day. Download some in advance for the trip. ✤ The ‘Getting Lost’ games — online purchased travel cards are an awesome activity if you're on the road. ✤ Take the opportunity to go to a small town cinema and enjoy a ‘big’ screen movie on a wet day. Extreme weather — keep an eye on it ✤ Choose your time to pack up and move if serious weather is on its way. ✤ Give yourself time to get ahead of it. ✤ In extreme wind take care not to camp under trees where branches might fall. ✤ Tents need serious pegs to hold them to the ground in winter wind conditions. Buy screw pegs or use tri-sided pegs especially in wet ground. See Strong pegs . ✤ Tip for parking when it might snow: lift your wipers away from the windscreen so any snow weight doesn’t damage them and so the blades don’t stick to the glass. Winter travel preparation ✤ Mind the maintenance: do a good vehicle service before a winter trip. ✤ Top up your fuel tanks regularly — you never know if you’ll get stranded. ✤ If there might be snow, make sure you have chains (and practice how to put them on before the trip). ✤ An extra groundsheet under your tent floor definitely helps with dampness. ✤ Take extra tarpaulins. ✤ Pack extra emergency food (freeze dried or Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)-style). It’s all in the preparation No matter what time of year, the benefits of being outdoors are going to improve your well-being and provide a very special camping experience. So be prepared and focus on taking the right gear with you, so that you can happily meet the challenges of the colder months and carry on camping. Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 12