SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ DUZ GO PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT Gary took his teardrop camper to the Hororata Swap Meet and snapped this beauty. “Fantastic night & great day at the Hororata Mechanical Swap Meet. Satisfied my need to go camping & getting a bargain or two. Thanks Hororata. “ May. Photo: ©2022 Gary Hitchcock Fantastic night & great day at the Hororata Mechanical Swap Meet NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ Stop and Stay: Lake Rotokare & Pakawau Beach PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT Each issue we feature a couple of places Recommended camps and stopovers e.g. country pubs, private properties, cottage crafts, caravan parks, reserves and more. Recommended camps and stopovers e.g. country pubs, private properties, cottage crafts, caravan parks, reserves and more. Go to stopandstaynz.org to find your next campsite. FEATURED THIS SPRING Lake Rotokare in Eltham, Taranaki and Pakawau Beach Camp in Golden Bay. Lake Rotokare, Eltham, Taranaki Situated in a secure wildlife reserve Lake Rotokare is known as ‘the rippling lake’. Being able to camp in a wildlife reserve is a unique experience — but you must ensure your vehicle is completely free of unwanted guests. You can hike around the lake, go trout fishing or kayak on the lake and tents are welcome. BYO water. A cash donation to support the work is appreciated. 365 Sangster Road, Eltham, Taranaki 06 764 8500 www.rotokare.org.nz Meet Rotokare’s Founder Kiwi #39: Benny! After a bumpy start to life, Benny was safely hatched at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa and brought to her new home at Rotokare. The Taranaki Kōhanga Kiwi at Rotokare project has been working to establish 40 kiwi as founders in the reserve, permanent breeding residents for the population. At number 39, Benny’s got us inches away from our goal! "Thank you to all the responsible campers at Rotokare this summer for: - Checking their vehicles and watercraft for stowaways and invasive weeds before entering Rotokare - Taking their rubbish away with them — Using our toilets and facilities kindly and considerately. We are a freedom camping site largely maintained by our amazing volunteers! If you have enjoyed your time at Rotokare, please donate to our Givealittle page to support site maintenance and ecological restoration at our beautiful sanctuary." ‘We loved camping there recently. Saw fernbirds, heard kiwi, and discovered that pateke are active at night. So cute.’ ‘I camped there overnight recently. There were quite a few motorhomes and about 4 campers. I took cash for the donation box especially, as I read that on the website.’ Pakawau Beach Camp, Golden Bay Only 10 minutes to Farewell Spit and 20 minutes to Takaka, this beach-side camp is a great base for exploring Golden Bay. There is golf, a restaurant, a salmon farm, a distillery as well as great fishing for snapper close by. 1112 Collingwood-Puponga Main Road, Pakawau www.facebook.com Pakawau Beach Park 03 524 8308 Stop and Stay Go to stopandstaynz.org to find your next campsite. The online directory is hosted and maintained by the All Points Camping Club. Add your recommendation — fill out the online form Want your property considered? Fill out the online form (there is no charge). Send us an email if you find any errors. info@allpointscampingnz.org Pakawau and Lake Rotokare NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

SUMMER 2022 ISSUE 2 BUY PDF INDEX Summer, Issue 2, Camping the Kiwi Way Previous Next Miriam Richardson (Editor) Buy a copy, subscribe for a year's worth of copies, read it on paper, read it here or read the pdf. The choice is yours. Only $12 a copy delivered, $36 for 4 issues. BUY We bring you travel stories, tips, wonderful places to visit, insight into political changes, some solid information, a crossword: light reading, serious reading and some fun browsing. Enjoy Previous This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. Next left-turn-ruapehu_w_th left-turn-train left-turn-pedestrian_w Left-turn-Maungatautari-view_w Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Editorial: looking back, looking forward Miriam Richardson As the season turns we look back on our summer — the adventures, the challenges, the starry nights, friends (new and old), the places we have explored, the places we plan to explore later. On shanks’s pony, in kayaks, boats, bikes, cars, vans, caravans, poptops, teardrops, motorhomes, we have spread out over the summer, loving our country. The season has turned with catastrophic weather taking out roads and houses leaving many with sheer survival as their focus. The autumn and winter ahead will be challenging on many fronts, so each chance you get, for a night, a weekend, a few days: take up your bed and go out and restore your spirit; enjoy the rivers, the beach, the hills, mountains, if they are close enough, and if all else is beyond reach, take your bed into the back yard and enjoy the stars. This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 4

SUMMER 2022 ISSUE 2 BUY PDF INDEX Summer, Issue 2, Camping the Kiwi Way Previous Next Miriam Richardson (Editor) Buy a copy, subscribe for a year's worth of copies, read it on paper, read it here or read the pdf. The choice is yours. Only $12 a copy delivered, $36 for 4 issues. BUY We bring you travel stories, tips, wonderful places to visit, insight into political changes, some solid information, a crossword: light reading, serious reading and some fun browsing. Enjoy Previous This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. Next left-turn-ruapehu_w_th left-turn-train left-turn-pedestrian_w Left-turn-Maungatautari-view_w Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Fishing at Kingston Previous Next Heather Auckram Secured a magical spot beside the lakes edge at Kingston freedom camp and went fishing. Caught no fish, but enjoyed the serenity. The camp has a slight slope as it is at the base of the mountains, and there are plenty of shady trees. Traffic going to Queenstown was only a murmur on the nearby road. Vehicles must be self-contained if sleeping over (arrive early as it's a popular spot). Day trippers have use of everything, including the new loos. Q’town Lakes. Photo © 2022 Heather Auckram ​ Previous Next 1/1 ​ Advertisment ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Ngawi Dave Adamson Ngawi, a great spot. Interesting way to launch boats. Bulldozers are essential. Wairarapa. ©2023 Dave Adamson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 27

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption wave on your way in and wave on your way out STOP and STAY Comfort Zone, Whakatane Angela Bryan Comfort Zone is one of those properties you will just want to keep coming back to, whether you’re just passing through or you really want to stop and stay. Bill and Annette are the classic hosts, welcoming everyone with a smile and a wave and a plethora of local knowledge, and that is before you even get to your campsite. Take your pick from harder stand sites to the comfort of the grass. The large areas are sheltered by towering trees to keep you sheltered in the windiest of weather while still enjoying all day sun. But bring a torch, there are no street lights here to worry about, it is truly DARK. Just the stars to sit out and watch. Located near the Whakatane Airport with easy access for the largest of vehicles for travellers seeking a quiet place to park up. Back country roads make it easy to take a quiet bike ride into Whakatane township and for the more adventurous all the way to Ohope Beach. And the bonus, this is a free park over property. That’s right, no charge. Bill only has two rules. You must wave on your way in and wave on your way out. Once you’ve been to Comfort Zone, you will definitely be back. FREE 105 Aerodrome Road, Whakatane bill.matheson@xtra.co.nz 027 499 3981 Images ©2024 Comfort Zone 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 41

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ Sleeping with the sandflies: Lake Monowai PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT Lake Monowai was quiet and still as if time itself had stopped. We weren't outside the van long as I forgot the insect repellent and the sandflies quickly found us! There is a free DOC camping area at the carpark and toilets. No dogs. Lots of curious birds, and bird/animal noises in the dark of night. There are picnic tables and fire drums to light, which may help to keep away the ever-hungry sandflies. We walked some of the easier pleasant short paths through the mossy bush. Hug a tree and bring bug repellent. BY: Heather Auckram PHOTOS: ©2022 Heather Auckram DOC INFO Hug a tree and bring bug repellent NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Festivals & Shows ​ Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 35

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Pick and pedal Gary Stoneley Is that e-bike right for you? Many New Zealanders are now moving to e-bikes and they definitely have health advantages while being cheap to operate and maintain. E-bikes allow travellers to park up and get on their bike to explore areas they might usually not get to while keeping their fitness up and catching some good old vitamin D. E‑bikes, battery-powered bicycles, have evolved quite a lot from the early days but with prices ranging anywhere from a thousand dollars to upwards of six thousand dollars how do you choose the bike that is best for you and your budget? I’m not a hardened cyclist and neither is Beverley, my wife, but for several years we have considered purchasing e‑bikes. We have been to many shows and visited many bike shops, tried out our friends’ and show models and watched the prices fluctuate against our limited budget. When Covid-19 came along demand and prices of e‑bikes climbed considerably. It took us a while to decide what was right for us but in the end the purchases were an easy choice. How do you make the right choice, first time round, on purchasing an e‑bikes? What will you use it for? One of the most important things to consider is what you will use the e-bike for and how often, keeping in mind that this could change. If you are only going to use the bike around town then an urban e-bike with limited features will be more suitable than one designed for riding over gravel and travelling rural trails. Some bikes are only suitable for urban riding and generally come with smooth tyres and without suspension. Others are more of a crossover, good for urban riding but with chunky tyres, suitable for occasional off-road riding. How much power assistance do you want? My personal preference is for an e-bike that requires you to still do the hard work with a wide choice of motor assistance. Some e‑bike riders prefer a bike where you only need to pedal occasionally, with the hand throttle giving you all the power and speed that you need. Will you be transporting the e-bike from place to place or will it be permanently kept at one place? If transporting it, how much space do you have to store it on or in your vehicle? What kind of bike rack would the bike need? How would it fit on your vehicle? In some cases a folding e‑bike may be an advantage, so it can be put in the boot or camper rather than mounted on the back (do try it out before buying, to make sure the folded bike actually fits). How far do you want to ride in one go? How far you can go on a single battery charge depends on the size and quality of the battery and how much pedalling you do and how much the bike engine does. Ask the seller how far the bike’s battery should be able to go. Each bike and battery will be different. Also check out how long it needs to be plugged in to fully charge. How much are you prepared to pay? For a couple getting into e-bikes for the first time you could easily spend $2,500 to $10,000 on your first two e-bikes. In NZ bike shops most e-bikes start around $3,400. For smaller folding bikes, or purchasing online, they can be considerably less than $2000. Check out online and instore specials for a bargain or use a discount membership card e.g. All Points Camping Club / Torpedo 7 to get year-round savings. Our experience We bought our e‑bikes in two steps and got some terrific deals by shopping online, but there are risks in this and you need to make sure the bike you are ordering will be suitable for your size and weight. Bev’s lime green urban bike was the first purchase which we scored for under $1000 and was a test run before we spent more money. It came with mudguards, carrier and front basket with the option of three levels of power-pedal assistance or simple pedal-free power. The bike also came with good tyres for a bit of off-road use. After taking this bike away for a camping weekend, two of our friends decided to purchase this model. My e‑bike was purchased initially because I could not keep up with Bev on my mountain bike. After an online search we found an Australian electric mountain bike for $1400. Both bikes are proving their value and we now travel around with them exploring towns, cycleways and on trails rated as ‘moderate level of difficulty’. We have added a few accessories like cell phone holders and mirrors but for under two and a half thousand dollars we have purchased two new e‑bikes that meet our needs, improve our fitness levels and we still have money in the bank. We could have spent so much more and for a first time purchase. Perhaps next time we might buy that $5000 bike but for now we can cycle along merrily. When travelling, check local information for urban and trail cycleways. There is a Facebook group for motorhomers who go cycling (see p36). There are also a variety of cycling apps that you can download on your phone to find and track your next cycling adventure. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 17

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way ​ Camping the Kiwi Way, Spring 2024 Editor Featured Steampunk — from North to South and back again: "It's a chance to get dressed up andsome have fun page 5 The re-build of my Toyota van: I woke up to the smell of the sea and the sun rising. I was bitten by the lifestyle. Page 7 Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights: If you are new to towing it is not hard to master. Page 13 Buyer beware: The caravan was only 9 years old. We pawed over the photos, checked questions asked… Page 21 The making of the Black Moa™ A new cassette toilet for small spaces. Page 25 Government and councils: articles of interest Self containment: articles of interest About this issue Table of contents 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 & 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 Government and councils Articles of interest for those working in government and those in local and regional councils 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 Camping in action 7 The re-build of my Toyota van 8 The West Coast in winter 15 A night in an arboretum 27 North Island hot pool safari 33 The Aratiatia Dam About this issue ISSUE 9, SPRING 2024 ISSN: 2815-8261 (Print) | ISSN: 2815-827X (Online) ©2024 All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc Editor: Miriam Richardson | editor@campingthekiwiway.org PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc & NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd ORDER OR SUBSCRIBE Printed copies including postage: $44 for a year (4 issues) Subscribe $13.50 for a single copy Subscribe ADVERTISING For sizes and prices see ckw.nz/advertising | editor@campingthekiwiway.org Front cover: Steampunk, ©2024 Margaret Earle. More on p5 SHARE YOUR STORIES If your group or club is promoting NZers enjoying our great outdoors, we would like to share your stories. Tenting, caravanning, motorhoming, van camping, bike camping, hiking and more. Camping photos and stories. Club stories and photos. Upcoming events that include camping. Opinion pieces on camping issues. Photos 1mb or more in size. Email words and (separate) images: editor@campingthekiwiway.org CONTRIBUTIONS CLOSE Nov 1 for the Summer issue Feb 1 for the Autumn issue But , for late-breaking articles talk to the editor. Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 1