11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Otaki-river. mouth. Fishing. ©2025 M Richardson Late summer fishing M Richardson Late summer fishing at the Ōtaki River Mouth free camp. February 2025. ©2025 M Richardson Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 15

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way Camping the Kiwi Way, 9, 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

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption a-short-trip-52-wimbledon_8.webp a-short-Route52-book-cover.webp a-short-trip-52-waihi-falls_1.webp a-short-trip-52_3.webp a-short-trip-52-akitioSch-_2.webp a-short-trip-52_10.webp a-short-trip-52_4.webp a-short-trip-52_9.webp a-short-trip-52_6.png GO TO as the seasons change A short trip to some big country — Route 52 Christine Batt In early September, a travelling companion and I headed from Palmerston North for a few days exploring with my caravan along Route 52, on the east coast. The inspiration for the trip came from seeing Simon Burt talk at the Featherston Book Town about his newly published book, “Route 52. A Big Lump of Country Unknown” in which he records a number of trips into the area, with his caravan in tow. route52.nz Heading to the Tararua District from Palmerston North with the caravan was easily managed over the new Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway, which is a sensational piece of engineering, and thank goodness for a slow lane to accommodate slow towers. The worrying bit of road was the Dannevirke/Weber Road, which was fearsomely described by Simon Burt , who had badly damaged his caravan when he went through there. It was my caravan that was being towed and I was more cautious than my companion, but with a lot of encouragement I agreed to give it a go. What an anti-climax! The expectation of hitting the bad bit never eventuated, and when we asked the locals, it transpired that the road had been extensively repaired 4 years before. The benefits of caravans vs camper vans is an ongoing discussion and we decided to maximise the caravan and car potential by basing ourselves at the POP at the Wimbledon Tavern and taking the car out for day trips. The Wimbledon Tavern (top) is an icon of NZ rural pub style , and has a round pool table, which is one of a kind. Hosts, Susan and Eric, were welcoming and informative and accommodated us for 3 nights, 2 of which we enjoyed delicious pub food. We would have eaten at the pub each night , but in early September, it was closed on Mondays. The first day trip was a round trip, recommended by Eric, with the first leg being inland to the Waihi Falls. They were in spectacular flow — our reward for tolerating quite a lot of rain over the previous couple of days . From there we took the Waihi Valley Road to Pongaroa. The Pongaroa pub has a reputation for a very good seafood chowder but is also closed on Mondays in early September. We hungrily sat outside the pub and made use of the first good internet service since Dannevirke. After an admin catch up , we took the Coast Road to Akitio which is a lovely old-school coastal community with holiday baches, a boat club (below), Norfolk pines, thundering ocean and with freedom camping permitted on the foreshore. The return trip was via the River Road from Akitio and then the Glenora Road (narrow and gravel) and out to Ti Tree Point, then back to the caravan for the second night, and very welcome food. The next day was another exploration, generally north of Wimbledon. First stop was Herbertville and a walk to Cape Turnagain, where in 1769 Captain Cook realised that he had completed a circumnavigation of the North Island and turned to head North again. We realised we were running low on petrol so headed for Pōrangahau which, enquiries assured us, has a pump, but no 96, so that lead to a reasonably big detour to Waipukurau. This was well worthwhile as the Two Taniwha Street Food container-shop served delicious sliders accompanied by beer. We were a bit fixated with finding food by this stage. Now fed, and not yet done with exploring back roads and coastal communities, we took advantage of the trip to Waipukurau to head out to the evocatively named township of Blackhead and then along the coastal roads back to Wimbledon. This is certainly beautiful and remote part of the country, and our flying trip, which covered many kilometres, left a real appetite to head into this fascinating area for longer stays. Keep in mind: The area is being heavily impacted by pine forests, and the small communities that would have previously managed through the custom of locals are struggling as people are replaced with trees. Because of limited internet coverage, maps are essential. The Kiwi Maps Rural Road Maps 250 series, maps 7 and 8 covered the whole trip, and much more country waiting for the next adventure. My map reading skills were very rusty — a shortcoming that was commented on more than once. In preparation I suggest that you read Simon Burt’s book, buy the maps, listen to the Warratah’s song about Cape Turnagain and stock up on food and petrol, or at least enough to get you to Waipukurau for a slider and a beer. 🏕️ Photos: ©2025 Christine Batt Up Up Summer 2025 , p 5

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption CampFest ©2025 Jo Ward ©2025 Andrew Morton Fog in Morrinsville. ©2025 Maggie O'Rouke The calm before the storm. Fortrose Fortrose, ©2025 Heather The camp site. Fortrose, ©2025 Heather Noel being blown along the beach. Fortrose, ©2025 Heather Heather and Loki watching the ducks. Fortrose, ©2025 Heather The sandbar Fortrose, ©2025 Heather The sun came out, the wind eased and everyone relaxed in hot summer sun. Getting ready to take the dogs for a windy walk. Fortrose, ©2025 Heather Caravan train, Kekerengu. ©2025 Linda Butler Lowburn I pulled into Lowburn free camp on the shores of Lake Dunstan and found a shady spot to park. © 2025 Heather Auckram Loki the dog in the shade. © 2025 Heather Auckram Loki dog and I took a welcome plunge in the lake before settling in for the night. © 2025 Heather Auckram St Kilda, Dunedin. A lovely spot looking out over the beach towards St Clair. Dunedin allows freedom camping in non-reserve parking places. ©2022 M Richardson Fishing at the Otaki River mouth. ©2025 M RIchardson summ-night-1_edited.jpg Nugget Point lighthouse. Here is a photo of the Nugget Point lighthouse. As we saw it today. March 6. ©2025 Dave Adamson The Pigroot, SH85, runs from Palmerston on the coast via Ranfurly to Alexandra in Central Otago. ©2025 Heather Auckam St Bathans. Parked at the free camp at the domain under a shady tree with a hot 32degree breeze blowing through the van. ©2025 Heather Auckam Loki dog enjoyed poking his nose into rabbit holes on the rugby field with the quirky goal posts. ©2025 Heather Auckam Loki dog enjoyed poking his nose into rabbit holes on the rugby field with the quirky goal posts. ©2025 Heather Auckam Otaki River mouth ©2025 M RIchardson Sailing through the Waiheke Channel on our way to the northern coast of Waiheke. The wind has finally turned to the south. Feb. ©2025 Graham Leslie Ray's lesson Waihora, New Year: Ray gave us a lesson on his new water bladder and water pump, which runs off his cordless drill. Interesting and tempting to purchase! ©2025 Linda Butler. Waihora. Canterbury, Waihora ©2025 Tony Knights Here and there last summer Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 5

1 Spring 2022 Cycle touring: Canterbury to Southland Up Stephen Wood I hadn't managed to get out cycle touring for a few years and so planned a big trip to reconnect to it. A length of the country ride wasn't possible because of covid restrictions in Auckland, so plan B was to do a circuit around the South Island. Once that was settled, the main decision was whether to do the circuit clockwise or anti-clockwise, and I chose the former. Much of my camping kit was assembled over many years of touring, but this was the first time with a new bike equipped with 14 gears in the rear hub, and a dynamo in the front hub. Rakaia River From Rangiora I elected to avoid Christchurch and the long Rakaia bridge on SH1 by travelling on the inland route 72, so my first day was through familiar country, Cust, Oxford, Waimakariri Gorge, and then through Glentunnel to a great little campground run by a small collective at Rakaia Gorge, with basic facilities and a fantastic view down the river. Rakaia Gorge campground Carrying on the next day through inland South Canterbury, I stopped at what appeared to be a lay-by in the middle of nowhere and discovered a monument to the Tree of Hine-Paaka, also known as Singletree, a lone matai that was said to be from the time of the first Maori and was still alive when the first Europeans settled. The rest of the day got me through Mayfield to Geraldine where I stayed in the big campground in the centre of town. They put me in a quiet corner close to neighbouring houses. I guess because I didn't look the rowdy type. The next day meant getting back to SH1, but with careful use of back roads, I delayed this until Temuka. Riding on main roads isn't as bad as it looks — they usually have a good shoulder and using a rear view mirror means that you know how much room vehicles are giving you before they pass. Also, a side effect of the pandemic is that traffic on roads is less than pre-covid levels. However, I found riding through Timaru interesting, especially at the intersections where trucks turned off and on to get to the port. I had hoped to get to Oamaru that day, but decided to call it quits at Glenavy, which had a tidy campground in town. The next day I got an early start and was over the Waitaki River bridge before there was too much traffic. My plan was to get to Oamaru early to catch up with people I knew from living and working there for a couple of years. That took the best past of the day, but I got back on the road in the afternoon in time to make it down to Hampden. It's always a juggle deciding what to do first, but I got some fresh milk at the shop before checking into the lovely beachside campground. My food stocks were a bit low for cooking dinner so it was back into town, to find both the takeaway and grocery shop had just shut, leaving a pub meal as the best option. In heading to Dunedin, I'd planned to ride the roads near to SH1 but avoiding the motorway sections. However the tops of the hills were in cloud, so I decided the safer route was to turn at Waitati to the Mt Cargill Road with much lower traffic volume. That brought me into town through North East Valley, where I spotted some quirky street art. I stayed at the big campground in South Dunedin. Leaving town the next day I was riding into a blustery southerly gale which was hard work, but also affected my ability to hold a straight line and hear the traffic behind, making it feel a lot less safe on the road. I had hoped to get to Balclutha, but when I spotted that the domain in Milton had camping I decided that was a good option. There was even a resident caretaker who helped with finding a place to pitch my tent in the shelter of an unoccupied caravan. Owaka Back on the road the next day to a planned rendezvous with my wife Robyn who was driving down in the camper van for a welfare visit for a few days. After a cafe stop in Balclutha where the pot of tea extended to a record 5 cups, I enjoye the quiter road after leaving SH1. I made it to Owaka, which sports a stainless steel waka sculpture, chose a place for us to stay in what appeared to be an old hospital repurposed to be a campervan park, and sent Robyn the directions so she could find it. The next few days were a mixture of taking time out for a some more touristy things in the Catlins while still making forward progress on my ride. While there were some businesses shut, there was still plenty to see and do. We went out to Nugget Point, stayed at a large but sparsely used campground near Chaslands and walked up to the McLean Falls. Nugget Point With the luxury of my panniers being carried in the campervan, I rode a big day out of the Catlins, through Tokanui and Fortrose and over to the campground in Lornville, on the north side of Invercargill. After that Robyn headed home in the campervan, while I pedelled off in the direction of Winton. BY: Stephen Wood Thinking of cycle touring? some tips PHOTOS: ©2022 Stephen Wood Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS With the luxury of my panniers being carried in the campervan, I rode a big day out of The Catlins. Packing up Much of my camping kit was assembled over many years of touring. New bike This was the first time with a new bike equipped with 14 gears in the rear hub, and a dynamo in the front hub McLean Falls, The Catlins Packing up Much of my camping kit was assembled over many years of touring. 1/16

Autumn 2023 ISSUE 3 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Our little escape pod We love our little caravan not just for holidays but for other emergency get-a-ways, should the situation call for it. Prepacked with clothing, footwear, bedding, food, medication, water, gas, solar power, cash, fridge, cooking and toilet facilities, even books and games, we know, if disaster strikes, we can tend to our needs and offer support to others too. ©2023 Rhonda Marshall Ten hours into a power cut with this cyclone .... then I remembered I've got full batteries in Mavis! ©2023 Cheine Matheson Vans can be SMALL but MIGHTY resources. Orange Sky are providing shower and laundry services to many in flood-affected areas right now. The recent cyclone Gabrielle initiated only the third national disaster to be declared in New Zealand history. Windy.com Hawke's Bay 2023 Napier 1931 Did the earth move for you? it did for Cantabrians in 2011 and Hawke’s Bay back in 1931. Canterbury 2011 Did the earth move for you? it did for Cantabrians in 2011 and Hawke’s Bay back in 1931. we have the equipment, experience, and resilience to cope with adverse conditions: 
it is what we do A beautiful country, but… Wayne Ravelich As all Kiwi’s know we live in a beautiful country, but it is prone to natural disasters. Did the earth move for you? it did for Cantabrians in 2011 and Hawke’s Bay back in 1931. These are just two of the big ones, we have thousands of smaller shakes every year. We get cyclones like Bola in 1988 and the recent Gabrielle, that initiated only the third national disaster to be declared in New Zealand history. Napier 1931. Canterbury 2011. Hawke's Bay 2023 The devastation caused by these major events is staggering and leaves communities without facilities for long periods of time. Homes can and do become uninhabitable. On the positive side, communities come together and help each other to overcome the aftermath. The first few days after a disaster can be the hardest with possibly no clean water, no power, no normal toilet facilities and, in extreme cases, no shelter. Hold on a minute, we are campers and have all of that; or at least most of the items required to survive the first few days of an emergency without outside assistance. Either in our camping gear in the garage or in the caravan or motorhome, we have what we need. If our camping vehicle is self-contained, certified or not, we have at least three days self-sufficiency. We have clean water, we can cook, wash, shelter and if necessary, move to a safer area. It does not matter if the cooker is a large gas oven and four burner hob or a single burner portable cooker. A BBQ is really handy. The toilet can be “fixed” or portable, like the ones issued by the Government to Canterbury residents in 2011. Any toilet is better than none. Shelter in a tent or camper is far better than being out in the elements. As campers we have the equipment, experience, and resilience to cope with adverse conditions, it is what we do. Not only can we protect our loved ones, but we have the facility to help others as well. A hot drink or meal, even a phone charger can mean a lot. A spare sleeping bag or tent goes along way to someone that has just lost their home. Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 7

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Our new Southern Star caravan ©2025 Gary Stoneley Inside. ©2025 Gary Stoneley For us the large U shape seating area, and deep front shelf offered a potential work area, room for all our gadgets. ©2025 Gary Stoneley The Bailey Senator next to the Southern Star. ©2025 Gary Stoneley We settled on a 2nd hand high spec Audi Q7, with electronic air suspension and 3500kg towing capacity. ©2025 Gary Stoneley As soon as we saw the open plan layout and spaciousness of the caravan we got interested. ©2025 Gary Stoneley choosing_5.webp ©2025 Gary Stoneley GO TO Here & there last summer sales service was a breeze Choosing your next camping vehicle is not always easy Gary Stoneley Camping comes in all forms, from tarpaulins and tents through to large caravans and motorhomes. After close to 30 years of camping, firstly with a NZ-made 1970’s classic caravan (and 4 children) followed by a luxurious UK Bailey Senator, it was a hard choice to get a caravan that would meet our needs. We had to consider budget, how long we intend to keep it for, size, and features. Would the new caravan handle the high usage we demand of it and take the beatings dealt out by some of New Zealand’s roads? Our preference was for another tandem (2 axle) caravan as we have found they seem to handle NZ roads better plus they can take a higher payload. Having worked in the industry with dealers and repairers and being involved in caravan and camping organisations I had seen that all brands of caravans, whether European-, Australian-, NZ- or USA- made could sometimes develop leaks or suffer breakages. Bev and I agreed that the new caravan would need to meet our needs for both business and relaxation and be comfortable enough to sit up and work all day while being able to stretch out without knocking elbows and knees. Being self-sufficient when off-grid, with lots of solar, water and a decent fridge-freezer was a must for us, plus a comfortable bed and large washroom. We expected a lot, but we wanted to get it right. So the long search began. Our large Bailey Senator had done us well for over 13 years and many thousands of miles. Finding caravan number 3 wasn’t an easy job. We considered multiple European and UK Caravans, always well-featured and lighter for towing. We considered multiple Australian caravans, large and heavy, some with slide-outs and some without. The benefit of a slide-out being more living space but often this is countered by difficulty to access areas when the slide-out is in. We like to stop regularly, going shopping, exploring and making a coffee; we are often in tight spaces and fitting into campsites with a slide-out could be an issue for us. For us, a slide-out was not an option. So it was time to explore caravan yards, motorhome shows and check out other people’s homes on wheels. Bev and I were up at Thames for the Steam Punk Festival with the All Points Camping Club when we decided we would pop along to Tauranga and again go caravan hunting. We decided to pop into Country RV at Tauranga. In 15 minutes our decision was made. Country RV in Tauranga are the North Island agent for Leisureline and Southern Star Caravans. Both are built in the Leisureline factory in Hamilton, along with Zephyr caravans and the factory has been building quality caravans since 1973, more than 30 years, and one of the few NZ caravan builders remaining. It’s a nice feeling to buy NZ-made but it was the quality fit-out and construction that sold us on the Southern Star. We had to step up quite high to get into the caravans in the showroom and access may be an issue for some people, but as soon as we saw the open plan layout and spaciousness of the caravan we got interested. For us the large U shape seating area, and deep front shelf offered a potential work area, room for all our gadgets. The cabinetry is finished to a very high standard. With lots of power points plus 12volt and usb outlets throughout the van, charging and running multiple devices wouldn’t be a problem. Backed up by 880 Watts of solar and 200 Amp-hour lithium batteries, the caravan would be good to go even on the cloudiest days. Our preference was for an SUV rather than a ute for towing and we settled on a 2nd hand high spec Audi Q7, with electronic air suspension and 3500kg towing capacity. Once the caravan is connected to the car, the car automatically adjusts the car’s ride height (which we can also adjust as needed). The remote electric brakes and rear camera make towing a breeze and the old-school leaf springs keep the van tracking well. The sales service with Country RV in Mt Maungaui (Tauranga) was a breeze and we were able to make some changes to the layout to meet our needs. Currently we are using the new caravan every second weekend and can’t wait to take longer trips in a few months time. North to South, East to West we intend to give the caravan a hard workout and have every confidence it will handle it. Some of the features of our Southern Star caravan: • 880W solar panels, that will still charge in part sunlight. • Hard-wired 2000W inverter, power to all points. • 2 x 100Ah lithium LiFePO4 batteries. • Victron charger, controller and smart shunt • Dometic 188L compressor fridge that runs continuously. • Automatic satellite dish. • 2 smart TV’s. • Autoterm diesel heater. • Wireless reversing camera. • 172 litres fresh and waste water. Both the Leisureline and Southern Star branded caravans are very similar. We liked the deep front locker with slide out gas bottles that make them easy to fit and turn on and off. Queen-sized bed, large shower, heated towel rail. At our age being comfortable is important and the NZ-built Southern Star caravan was our choice and the price was competitive. There are many other well-made, terrific caravans out there to suit peoples’ different camping and travelling needs. It’s definitely worth checking them out to choose the one that best meets your needs. Safe travels. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 16

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Whisky Gully, Tapanui, Southland. Lovely views over the plains, and a great walk up the valley, and another through the bush. ©2025 M RIchardson Looking down on the park at the end of the road. Whisky Gully, Tapanui, Southland. ©2025 M RIchardson Lovely views over the plains Whisky Gully, Tapanui, Southland. ©2025 M RIchardson GO TO Here & there last summer Whisky Gully M Richardson Whisky Gully, Tapanui, Southland. Lovely views over the plains, and a great walk up the valley, and another through the bush. Toilets. Some flat areas to park. You must be certified self-contained. ©2023 M Richardson Looking back down at the camping area. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 11

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 Amy Lou At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Jo Ward At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Natasha Jansen At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Natasha Jansen At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Nicky Haworth At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. ©2025 Cheryl Roberts At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Bryan Snaith At CampFest 2025 ©2025 Bryan Snaith GO TO Here & there last summer awesome to say the least Campfest Cheryl Roberts Encouraging our future generations of campers: family-friendly camping Campfest was awesome to say the least. The weekend started with a welcome, then the kids programme. Cheryl Roberts We dressed up and entertained the children with fun songs, games and stories. The adults enjoyed it too and even participated in the games. Imagine rolling a small Oreo biscuit from your forehead and getting it into your mouth, sounds easy, Not So! To go with the camping theme, the songs were: There’s a hole in my tent dear Shona, with Barry mending it. The wheels on the camper van, My Highland Goat. Stories: Goldilocks and the three bears, The 3 little Pigs from Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl. Saturday mornings children’s programme started at 9.15 am after 15 minutes of music thanks to Karen Clarke who also played the guitar for us. Children’s team were Margaret, Alice, Rhonda, Cheryl with Laura who joined us. Music by Karen. Again, lots of songs, stories and a play written by Alice with puppets provided by Rhonda. It was fun but not as many children as the night before. There was also a bike track, treasure hunt quiz, lions hunt where there was the occasional child asking if the lions are out. Competitions (colouring-in and free style), as well as tent pitching which the kids loved, after pitching it, they then did it blind folded to simulate putting the tent up in the dark. Discussion workshops were held and The Best Camper Competition, which brought a lot of oohs and ahhs from people as they talked to the campers who entered. The market was great, lots of variety and many people looking. My favourite was the face painting, so cool seeing so may fabulous designs on children and adults. The camp was buzzing with many activities, people chatting and generally having fun, as well as meeting new people. It was great seeing so many tents, vans, caravans and motorhomes. Adults, families relaxing and children having fun in a safe environment. I talked to a few people who said it was their first time at camp, the feedback, was that they really enjoyed it, in fact everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The facilities were great, the clubrooms were well used by people chilling or meeting over a drink and chatting. The clubrooms were awesome rooms with great atmosphere — a fantastic place to have our camps. Thank you to Bulls Rugby Club and Andy Watson the Rangitikei District Mayor. In fact all the facilities were amazing. The committee really planned this camp, with a grey water station and lots of rubbish bins, as well as porta-loos. The food trucks were definitely well worth having there, delicious fresh meals at a good price. The hamburgers (chicken and bacon) with a generous amount of chips, were very popular. I liked how the food trucks supported each other. I did see the ice cream truck but not for long. A huge draw card, was the stage and music, talent contest, open mike time and the bands which played on to 9pm. This brought a carnival atmosphere to the camp. The stage was a focal point for meeting and having fun. I observed a young girl going on stage and singing in the day, was great to see her enjoying the freedom of the place. Karen was an awesome, natural, fun MC. She kept us up with everything that was happening. My favourite song was Karen and her online dating, I hope she records it hint hint … Sunday, the local fire brigade came, talked and demonstrated to us on how to use fire extinguishers as well as safe practices in the vans and our homes. Several people had a go with the extinguishers. It was very informative with great question and answer time. They had give-aways and stayed on talking to several people. It was fun watching everyone receive their awards from kids competitions, to the camping awards. Andy Watson, the Rangitikei District Mayor, came and enjoyed part of Sunday, and the award ceremony. All in all, it was a fantastic Campfest, congratulations to the committee for your dedication and hard work, you certainly created a fun, happy environment for us all. I heard a lot of people say “bring on next year” I am one of those. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 34

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption A good feed ©2025 Mart Ireland 2018 Dec, Golden Bay (13) snapper catch ©2025 Mart Ireland ©2025 Mart Ireland Channel entrance catch ©2025 Mart Ireland Fish & scallops Waitangi 2013 ©2025 Mart Ireland A good feed ©2025 Mart Ireland GO TO Here & there last summer you can’t put a price on a good day on the water with family or friends Hobby: Fishing and Diving Marty Ireland My introduction to fishing as a child: I recall being taken to the Waimakariri river and using a string hand-line with red meat as bait, I don’t recall any success . However we did have whitebait and flounder on our menu so I assume this was purchased or obtained from family or friends. Later as a young teen I was introduced to lure spinning rod fishing in Marlborough rivers for trout and kahawai with some successes. While living in Southland for 6yrs we went on 2 fishing trips out of Bluff with a good cod catch, again, using hand-lines and sea sickness as a result. Then in my late 30s, back in Marlborough, I was introduced to snorkelling along the Kaikōura Coast, for paua, kina and crayfish which lead to doing a scuba course with Scuba Schools International and my hobby became serious. A secondhand 16ft runabout was bought in partnership with 2 friends and regular trips in the Marlborough Sounds especially to Tory channel entrance ensued. The cost to fish, either from shore or by boat, can be a wide gulf depending on your desire, but can be economic if you purchase secondhand and build up your gear as you go, and if done with a group then items can be shared, repaired, bought and sold , and experience shared and taught. One of my best buys was 2 pink Shimano boat rods on special at Hunting and Fishing for $69 each — they catch fish, much more so, to the disgust of other fishers, with considerably more expensive rods. After nearly 30 years and over 550 dives logged, jumping over the side of a perfectly good boat that’s not sinking, taking a catch bag and spear gun, we have enjoyed and shared local tasty seafood treats with many family members and visitors. The sea sickness is now few and far between but can and does still happen occasionally. Scuba diving has also included diving some local and international wrecks as well as coral reefs and shark viewing, looking but not taking is strange as a hunter gatherer, but rewarding in a different way. We have been fortunate to arrange permit dives for 3 weddings and some funerals along with other family gatherings and certainly have had our share from the ocean. Would it be cheaper to buy the fish? Possibly but you can’t put a price on a good day on the water with family or friends, and knowing where it was sourced and how fresh it is. Preparing and cooking the catch, well, that’s another thread and topic for a future magazine. n you can’t put a price on a good day on the water with family or friends Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 32

Autumn 2023 ISSUE 3 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Tramping the Kaweka Forest Park Outdoorsman Dave I love the freedom that carrying an ultralight tent provides, it empowers you to camp wherever your legs can take you. I also love my classic but new-to-me macpac backpack. Outdoorsman Dave Watch the video: youtu.be/Nbvio1Z1RQQ Facebook: ckw.nz/OutdoorsmanDave Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 26

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing wild silverbeet! Marfells Beach M Richardson Marfells Beach is a DOC camp (pay online, whew, there is mobile coverage this time) has wild silverbeet. Not just thickly (and usefully) in verge, but sprouting in the sand too. Marlborough. ◊ ©2024 M Richardson ckw.nz/doc-marfels Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 21