7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Earthbeat Festival ​ Festivals and Shows Editor These events offer an opportunity for people to overnight while they attend or you can overnight nearby. Some are restricted to certified self contained vehicles, some restrict or ban pets. Check the event website for details. MARCH WOMAD New Zealand 2024 15–17 Mar, Fri, New Plymouth, Taranaki Music and dance performers from around the world and across Aotearoa! womad.co.nz | ckw.nz/womad-camp ckw.nz/womad-eventfinda Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival Sat 16 Mar Havelock, Marlborough A seafood extravaganza. Camping available, certified self-contained. No dogs. ckw.nz/mussel-eventfindackw.nz/mussel-fest ckw.nz/mussel-camp Earth Beat Festival 2024 Wed 20 – 24 Mar, Wellsford, Auckland Stay the weekend with the family. Cutting edge creativity, life-changing experiences and learning, a party. No dogs. Tent and vehicle camping. Accessible camp sites. ckw.nz/earth-beat ckw.nz/earth-beat-eventfinda RIPE 2024: the Wanaka wine and food festival Sat 23 Mar, Glendhu Bay, Wanaka, Otago Central Otago’s finest wine and food. Camping at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, or Albert Town Park. ckw.nz/ripe | ckw.nz/ripe-eventfinda Port of Tauranga 61st National Jazz Festival 23 Mar–3 Apr, Bay of Plenty A week of jazz and fun. Choose an event near a free camp. Jazz Street Party Katikati, 23 March. Tauranga & Mt Maunganui on the other days. ckw.nz/katikati-jazz | ckw.nz/jazz ckw.nz/jazz-eventfinda Evening Meditation on the Maunga Sat 23 March, Maungatautari, Waikato Evening birdsong and gentle sounds of nature are an ideal setting for meditation. There are a few overnight parks at Sanctuary Mountain. ckw.nz/meditation ckw.nz/sanctuary Warbirds Over Wanaka Mar 2024 29 –31 Mar 2024, Easter, Wanaka, Otago One of the world’s top Warbirds airshows it is a biennial event. More than 50,000 people attend. Sort your accomodation first. warbirdsoverwanaka.com Oxford A&P Show 2024 Sat, 30 Mar, EASTER Saturday, Oxford, North Canterbury Enjoy some country hospitality. There is a lovely freedom camping by the Eyre River, 1km from town. ckw.nz/oxford-show ckw.nz/oxford-eventfinda APRIL Mackenzie Highland Show Mon 1 April, Easter Monday, Fairlie A fun family day out with something for everyone. Freedom camping is some distance away at Lake Opuha, but there is free parking for the day at the show. mackenzieshow.co.nz ckw.nz/mckenzie-eventfinda Aspiring Conversations Thu 4–7 Apr, Wanaka, Central Otago A biennial festival of ideas where key thinkers talk about a diverse and rich array of current, controversial and just downright interesting subjects. Camping at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, or Albert Town Park. festivalofcolour.co.nz ckw.nz/aspiring-eventfinda Waiau School trail ride 2024 6–7 April, Waiau, North Canterbury For competent riders of off-road motorcycles and ATVs. Breathtaking. Basic overnight camping. theride.co.nz LATER Mardi Gras Ohakune June, Ohakune ckw.nz/ohakune-24 Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloon Glow and Laser Festival June, Mt Hutt village ckw.nz/fire-ice-24 Mystery Creek Field Days June, Hamilton fieldays.co.nz Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 41

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Day 1, Nelson Lakes Bikepacking the top half of the Rainbow + Sedgemere Track + bottom half of the Molesworth. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 1, Rainbow Rd My favourite part of the Rainbow Road. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 1, Riding a ford Teaching Miro the ramifications of being a half bike length back on ford. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 1 Also loved the grasslands and views into the mountains. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 1, Past the skifield turn-of Past the skifield turn-off, the fords became proper 4WD worthy. ©2024 Simon Kennett Still heading up the Wairau. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 1, Hells Gate! Hells gate! ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 1, Big country Miro's first time riding in such big country and she really nailed it. ©2024 Simon Kennett Night 1, Sedgemere sleepout Sedgemere sleepout -- big sky action, so some of us slept out of the sleepout. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 1, Elevation St Arnaud to Sedgemere sleepout. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 2, Sedgemere sleepout The gang... ready to see what Day 2 had in store. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 2, Sedgemere Track Sedgemere Track is only open for six weeks of the year... perhaps the hottest six weeks of the year. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 2, Sedgemere Track Mind you, I wouldn't want to be here during the coldest six weeks of the year. Super-exposed as well as 1000 msl - this place must be brutal in winter. ©2024 Simon Kennett Hunting the shade Even as early as 9:30am, we were hunting out shade for our first break. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 2, Brutal climb By mid-afternoon it was starting to bake. Luckily we found a nice spot for a dip in the river, soon after this brutal wee climb. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 2, Rock formations. More groovy rock formation in the Acheron valley. ©2024 Simon Kennett Into the wind After turning into the wind at the Acheron Accommodation House, we really were getting fan-baked. Mercifully some cloud cover formed half an hour later, and we were able to function normally again. ©2024 Simon Kennett Jollies Pass Jollies Pass was the most technical part of the trip, so naturally Kerei (on his gravel bike) blazed off the front. James (on his week-old MTB) rode at a sensible pace. ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 3 Elevation Sedgemere sleepout to Hanmer (via Molesworth and Jollies Pass). ©2024 Simon Kennett Day 3, Hanmer Capped the trip off with an excellent day of R+R in Hanmer with Kerei's family. So good! ©2024 Simon Kennett all it takes is a small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip A small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip Simon Kennett Haven’t done a huge amount of biking this summer, but sometimes all it takes is a small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip to rekindle the love. So it was, two weeks ago I set off with Miro, Bronnie, Claire, James and Kerei to do the top half of the Rainbow + Sedgemere Track + bottom half of the Molesworth. Photos ©2024 Simon Kennett Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 15

1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Weekend getaways are the best! TIPS: Weekending Various Making the most of short trips All my trips are short ones. I quite often take leftover food so time isn’t taken cooking, particularly if windy. Two hours max travelling from Wellington. Don’t worry if you forget something as long as you have warm clothes. (Steve) Weekend getaways are the best! We take very little on the road with us because we are spending more time outside then in. So it’s just basic food, booze & general clothing. (Donna) My moho is always packed, with just the fridge/freezer stuff to put in (Christine). n We find a location close to home so we don’t waste hours travelling just for a weekend. Try and prep all meals so the weekend can be a real break. (Linda). We head to the coast, any coast, and there is an abundance to choose from in the Wairarapa. We may even pick up takeaways on our way out but our meals are all prepped. The sound of the sea and away from traffic does it for us. (Dale) I’ve got a couple of changes of clothes permanently in my van. I always make sure I have a jacket, beanie, off-road walking shoes and togs ready to go, this time of year. Usually I head for somewhere near hot springs. (Katrina) PHOTO: Foxton Boat Club ©2022 Miriam RIchardson Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 14

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Brew Barrel Already having a brew barrel to start a ferment, in went 6kg of sugar, a sachet of liquid carbon and a turbo yeast, giving a total volume of 23 litres. Sit it on the dining table or kitchen bench if you have no dedicated room or area to do this. ©2024 Marty Ireland Making the ferment With ferment complete, stir in Part A clearing agent then 1 hour later, Part B and wait 24 hours ©2024 Marty Ireland Making the magic Now the magic happens in the still, fill it up to the set level, add some copper gauze some ceramic beads and a small amount of conditioner. ©2024 Marty Ireland ©2024 Marty Ireland Distilling Here is a heating kettle that boils and produces a steam that condenses in the fan-cooled coil in the head and drips out into a collection jug. ©2024 Marty Ireland Filtering This raw spirit is then run thru a carbon filter and diluted back to 1 litre and is now ready to flavour. ©2024 Marty Ireland Flavouring There is a range of flavours available in a brew shop or Bin Inn. ©2024 Marty Ireland Finished product Cheers and bottoms up ©2024 Marty Ireland Cheers and bottoms up Home brew spirits Marty Ireland I have been home brewing beer wine and spirits for a long time. Like many hobbies and interests you can keep it simple or get into it seriously. My home brewing of beer and cider has been from a can or kit which has included stout, various ales and lagers, Hazy Ipa (opaque, juicy beers), and apple cider. Wine has been from a variety of fruits, vegetables, even coffee and ginger, however grapes are the natural best thing and it just happens without too much intervention. Spirits happened by chance when an entry-level air still called a Vodka Maker came up in a Buy Sell Swap paper for $150 ($300 new back then). Already having a brew barrel to start a ferment, in went 6kg of sugar, a sachet of liquid carbon and a turbo yeast, giving a total volume of 23 litres. Sit it on the dining table or kitchen bench if you have no dedicated room or area to do this. 1: Brew barrel 2: A sachet of liquid carbon and a turbo yeast At room temperature this may take a week, more in cooler months, but a heat pad will achieve fermentation in 2 or 3 days ➊ ➋. With ferment complete, stir in Part A clearing agent then 1 hour later, Part B and wait 24 hours ➌. 3 Clearing agent Now the magic happens in the still, fill it up to the set level, add some copper gauze ➍ some ceramic beads and a small amount of conditioner. 4: Copper gauze 5: Distiller. In picture ➎ at left is a heating kettle that boils and produces a steam that condenses in the fan-cooled coil in the head and drips out into a collection jug. Unlike a more complex still (like a column still, such as Turbo 500 ($500–700), which need constant attention with temperature and flow, discarding the first 50mls etc, this one has a continuous run of 4–6 hrs and you are done. With an air still, like this one ➎, you just wait and collect the first 750mls then stop, which takes about 3 hours, and you need to do 6 runs for 23 litres of fermented product, so to be practical, I do 3 one day and 3 the next. 6: This raw spirit is then run thru a carbon filter and diluted back to 1 litre This raw spirit is then run thru a carbon filter and diluted back to 1 litre ➏ and is now ready to flavour. There is a range of flavours available in a brew shop or Bin Inn ➐. A general spirit of whiskey, rum, gin vodka etc works out at about $15 a bottle, Irish cream, Khalua or Galiano around $22 ➑. Joining a local club and talking with other brewers will expand your set up, process and what you make. This hobby has been shared with many visitors , and of course fellow campers, so keep and eye out and we might share a tipple with you at a camp near you. Cheers and bottoms up. 8: The finished brew ©2024 Marty Ireland Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 33

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Vital Requirements ©2024 Collyn Rivers problems are almost always due to faulty installation Make caravan fridges work as claimed Collyn Rivers To make caravan fridges work as claimed, and draw less energy, is cheap, simple and easy. Many can be transformed. This article shows how. Fridges do not generate ‘cold’. They pump heat from where it is not wanted to somewhere it does not matter. Big fridges use more energy than small ones, but not in proportion to their size. Doubling fridge volume will increase energy draw about one and a half times, not twice. Where feasible, use one large fridge — not two smaller ones. Some cold air is lost when a fridge’s front door is opened. Top-opening fridges lose marginally less. The heat seals of door-opening fridges must be perfect, if they are not, energy usage soars. If they are over three years old, replace them . Energy consumption Any fridge’s energy draw relates directly to ambient temperature. All use about 5% more for every 1° C above 25° C. Set temperatures are the same. Fridges need to be +4° C, freezers -18° C (or settle for -14° to save energy). Cool food before placing it in the fridge. Keep bought frozen goods cold in a heat-insulating bag, and put in the fridge as soon as possible. Defrost anything frozen in the fridge section. Let warm beer first cool overnight. If you keep the fridge full less cold air falls out when opened, so leave gaps for air to move, but fill empty spaces with bottled water. Most fridges control temperature by cycling on and off. Energy draw relates to the ratio of on times to off times. A fridge that draws more energy but is on less often, or for shorter times, may use less energy per day. Many makers now produce fridges that run constantly: they vary the speed to maintain temperature. For any type of fridge only daily energy draw has any meaning. Make caravan fridges work as claimed – from solar It is totally feasible to make electrical caravan fridges work as claimed primarily from solar. A typical 40–110 litre chest and door opening electric fridge draws 0.7–1.0 amp-hours/day per litre of its volume. Larger ones draw slightly less per litre. This requires 150 to 200 watts of solar, and 100 to 150 amp hours battery capacity per 100 litres of fridge volume in temperate areas (up to 30º C). Above 30º C, solar capacity needs increase by 5% for each 1º C. Alternator charging assists if driving a few hours each day. (Refer to dc-dc-charging, ckw.nz/dc-dc-charging ). Three-way fridges work well on gas, from the alternator whilst driving, and 110/230 volts when available, but their energy draw (12–30 amps at 12 volts) is far too high for solar. See below re ‘Climate Class’. Unrealistic expectations Fridges must be competently installed. Few are. Improve them by following that shown next page. (Owners comparing fridges unknowingly discuss competent or otherwise installation). No caravan fridge will cool a carton of room temperature beer in an hour or two! Buy beer cold and put it straight in the fridge. Fishers (particularly) grossly underestimate energy needed to freeze their catch. Power draws continuously, doubling or tripling consumption, yet the catch will not freeze quickly. Doing so requires a generator-powered chest freezer. Correctly installed and sensibly used RV fridges will work as specified, but don’t get carried away by vendor’s claims. Believe the claims in technical data, not those in brochures. Gas and three-way fridges must suit the climate in which they are used. If not they are not likely to work as you may expect. Three-way fridges and climate class Three-way fridges maintain cooling over tightly defined ambient temperatures. These are four (CEN standard) Climate Classes. The ‘ SN ’, and ‘ N ’ (Sub Normal, and Normal) units work up to 32° C; ‘ ST ’, (Sub Tropical) up to 36° C. ‘ T ’-rated (Tropical) up to 43° C. (T- and ST- rated fridges do not work that well below 14°–18° C.) Only ‘Climate Class T’ cool satisfactorily in north and north-west Australia (or tropical areas generally). Three-way fridges are available in Australia from Chescold, Dometic and Indel. They have an unfair reputation for poor cooling due either to buying one of the wrong Climate Class and/or poor installation. Three-way fridges meet their claims but must be installed as shown next page to do so. Make caravan fridges work as claimed – in tropical areas When making a fridge work as claimed, it is common (but wrong) to assume there’s more solar input in tropical areas. There is not. Solar input in the tropics in mid-summer is 20% to 30% less than many expect. High humidity causes haze and some solar energy is lost because of this. It is also hot all day and often all night, so fridges draw up to 50% more energy, meanwhile, solar modules lose energy through heat loss. To cope in tropical conditions, your solar system must bring batteries to float voltage in temperate areas by noon on most days All this is thoroughly covered in my books Solar that Really Works, Solar Success and Caravan & Motorhome Electrics rvbooks.com.au . Installation Few RV fridges are correctly installed, including many done ‘professionally’. Making caravan fridges work as claimed is usually possible: sometimes even better than claimed — and often at little or no cost. It is usually easy to do but in extreme cases, it may be necessary to totally re-install. Here is a far from extreme example: it is of a $550,000 motorhome with a 450-litre fridge totally enclosed and unventilated, plus a 300-litre freezer. Both are in unventilated lockers with black fronts exposed to the sun. Neither cools below about 5 degrees C. Both connect to the battery via cable barely able to run LEDs. The RV maker refuses to accept responsibility — he blames the fridge maker! Fixing required a major rebuild of the kitchen area at a cost of over $10,000! Heat must escape Whilst seemingly obvious, a fridge must not be in direct sunlight: One character, who has his outside in Broome’s full tropical sun, complains: “my b..y mongrel Electrolux won’t keep my %#@^& beer cold.” He’d listen to nobody (including me) explaining why — despite going through a 9kg (20lb) LP gas cylinder a week as a result. The heat from a fridge must be able to exit the caravan — and not re-enter. To do this they need a cool air entry at its base level, and a hot air exit (ideally at roof level). Most need baffles to direct cold air so that it can only flow through or over the cooling fins. Baffles can be made from aluminium, plywood or even cardboard. They must be within a centimetre or two of the cooling fins. Channel rising warm air so none is trapped. The cool air vent can be at the side or through the floor (but not above or behind an engine’s exhaust outlet). Cool air must enter below the lowest cooling fin and exit well above the highest fin. The lower inlet is a problem off-road as dust is sucked in. Here, compromise is needed. One way is to have the vent closed off while on dirt roads (but cooling will suffer as a result). Rising warm air is ideally vented to and through the roof: if not feasible, have a side vent well above the highest cooling fin. Fridge level is important. Some three-way fridges tolerate 6° tilt, others only 3°, but electric fridges are less sensitive. The vital requirements Upper Left: — the baffles are too short. They need to be just below the cooling fins. Rising hot air is trapped in the dead air spaces. If not fixable (bottom centre and right), an extractor fan driven by a 5-watt solar module enhances airflow. Upper right: — the upper air vent is far too low — hot air is trapped in the fins above it, to prevent that, baffles are needed. Bottom row: How to install fridges correctly. Baffles truly help, yet rarely used. Rising hot air is channelled to the outside. Drawing is copyright: rvbooks.com.au A small extractor fan often assists. Some have an integrated solar panel — this works well as cooling is most needed when sunny. Fans used in large desktop computers are cheap. They run directly from a 5–10 watt solar module or the RV’s 12-volt system. Ideally use fans to extract warm air rather than pumping in cool air — but the difference is minor. Electrical problems with 12-volt fridges Most 12 volt fridges have grossly inadequate cabling — many only 25% of that required. Check by seeing if the fridge cools better on 230v (where relevant). Cable issues are worsened by faulty fuse holders: and particularly cigarette lighter plugs and associated too-small wiring. Scrap such plugs and wire the fridge to the battery by the shortest route. To check if the cable is too small, with the fridge running, measure the voltage directly across the battery, then directly across the fridge. To ensure it keeps running, do this with the fridge door open. Many caravan fridges have close to 1.0-volt drop. Accept no more than 0.15–0.2-volt drop. Using adequate cable makes an extraordinary difference to making caravan fridges work as claimed. For an electric fridge to battery distance of fewer than four metres, use 4mm² cable (AWG/B&S 11). Over four metres use 6mm² cable (AWG/B&S 9). If over four metres, move the battery closer. Do NOT use the auto cable sold by auto parts and hardware stores without first reading about it below — or in more detail in Caravan & Motorhome Electrics. ckw.nz/c-m-electrics Do also see my article on DC-DC Charging — this shows how to ensure the caravan battery and fridge receive their full required voltage from the vehicle alternator. This can totally transform a caravan or camper trailer fridge. ckw.nz/dc-dc-charging Auto cable problems Appliance makers specify cable by its cross-section in mm². Auto cable makers (in effect) specify it by the size hole you can just push it through. They rate it by its overall diameter including insulation! Auto cable sold as 4mm is typically 1.8mm², but may be only 1.25mm². Many caravan electric fridge makers specify 4mm². But countless fridges are connected by totally inadequate 1.8mm² auto cable (less than half the minimum specified). No fridges wired that way work remotely as they should and usually can. Direct comparison with other wire gauges is impossible with auto cable as conductor as size varies from maker to maker. One exception is that 6mm auto cable (typically 4.59mm² — or 10 AWG) can be substituted for 4.0mm² cable. Cable current rating trap Cable ‘ratings’ (e.g. ‘50-amp’ etc) indicate only the current that cable carries before it melts! They tell nothing about voltage drop (as that is also a function of cable length). It’s useless asking most vendors about this because few know it’s even an issue — let alone why. For caravans, locate the battery as close as possible to the fridge. If alternator-charged, install a dc-dc alternator charger close to that fridge’s battery. Never use cable lighter than advised above. If you do the fridge cannot work correctly An exact way of establishing the best cable size is shown in my books, Solar that Really Works, Solar Success and Caravan & Motorhome Electrics. rvbooks.com.au . Problems with three-way fridges Routine maintenance is required. Check the flame colour: it should be blue. If yellow (or the fridge works well on 12 volts but not on gas), the baffle inside the flue is likely coated with soot. Soot etc also drops down and affects the burner. Wearing safety glasses and old clothing, use a powerful air compressor to clean that baffle. Do likewise around the burner. Be aware this is a filthy job. You may prefer a fridge repairer to do it — and have them check the LP gas pressure at the same time. Whilst uncommon, an LP gas fridge may suddenly stop working. This is usually caused by a ‘vapour lock’ due to the caravan being excessively out of level. You can usually fix this by turning the fridge off, and make sure the caravan is level (within 3 degrees) — then turn the fridge back on after a few hours. A cause of cooling issues with gas fridges in imported RVs (or imported gas fridges) is if they are made for LP gas in a different country. If so, the jets can be the wrong size. If so, seek expert advice. Use three-way fridges as their makers intend. Run them on 12 volts only whilst driving or an hour or so from the battery because they draw too much energy to run from solar. For caravans, use heavy cabling — ideally 10 to 13.5mm² — from the alternator to the caravan battery. Consider installing a dc-dc alternator charger close to that caravan battery. Use at least 6mm² cables from that battery to the fridge. Make caravan fridges work as claimed — in cars and 4WDs Making caravan fridges work as claimed in cars and 4WDs is more of a problem. Keep them out of direct sunlight, and leave air space around the grill’s vent areas. It is fine to pack stuff close to or touching them — except for the types shown below (these must have a 50mm air gap each side as the heat dissipates from their sides). You can improve all types of fridges (some dramatically) by running a 6mm² (8 AWG) cable directly from the battery to that fridge (a maximum of four metres away). Use 6 AWG if the distance exceeds four metres. A few boat and RV fridges, such as this Australian designed and made Autofridge, (right)dissipate heat from their side-walls. These fridges must have an air gap of 50mm each side. Pic: Autofridge Australia. Fridge issues generally Do not over-pack RV fridges as space is needed to allow cool air to circulate. Door seals leak after a few years. To check, insert a strong strip of this paper (e.g. a banknote) between the door and the seal (at various places around the door) and see if it grips. If not, cool air escapes, so replace the seals every three to five years. Fridges with external cooling fins benefit by adding extra heat insulation. Some fridges, however, such as the Intel and Autofridge (pic above), dissipate heat from their side-walls. If possible have a cool air feed to the base of their sides. They must have an air gap (of 50 mm or so) at either side and their top. Make caravan fridges work as claimed – summary It is totally possible to make almost all RV fridges work as claimed (or even better) via the work described above. Except for the very cheapest fridges, dismiss claims of inherent deficiencies. If a fridge is appropriate for its proposed use, problems are almost always due to faulty installation. For domestic fridges, and fridges in cabins, virtually all of the above is relevant. n Further reading A great deal more on how to make fridges work as claimed is in my book Caravan & Motorhome Electrics. It even shows how to build your own fridge that leaves commercial units for dead in cooling and economy. It also includes a lot of information about running them from solar. ckw.nz/c-m-electrics Reproduced with permission. rvbooks.com.au . Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 29

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Freedom camping is NEITHER free from cost NOR free from responsibility What’s in a name? Is freedom camping actually free? Bette Cosgrove A freeloader effect, the ‘something for nothing’ opinion, can have a negative impact on those who like to find a quiet, beautiful natural out of the way place to stay overnight on land managed by Department of Conservation or local authorities. Is freedom camping the right term? Called ‘responsible camping’ by government agencies and tourism organisations, wild camping, outbacking, nature camping or boondocking, in other countries, responsible camping or freedom camping is a popular, low-cost accommodation option for domestic and international visitors. Of course freedom camping is not free from cost and definitely not free from responsibility. Why freedom camp? Social media groups offer these reasons: freedom to travel to lesser known areas without the pressure to plan ahead too much; not having to fit into a specific parking site, or book for particular dates; get away from people, modern conveniences, and, in particular, away from light pollution; enjoying natural surroundings: such as the ocean, bush, river or lake views. well-being: getting away from everyday life, enjoying a sense of ‘free spirit’; taking a ‘green prescription’. Research commissioned by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in 2019/20 summer, amplified a Department of Internal Affairs study in 2016, ‘Managing Freedom Camping’. They found: Camping is an important and growing kiwi tradition. It is an alternative to commercial campgrounds or a substitute in places without any. Saving money is not the primary reason for freedom camping: -- 1st travel freedom; -- 2nd comfort; -- 3rd low cost. The responsible camping system is under pressure due to strong growth in demand, from international visitors (pre-covid in particular) and domestic tourists. Negative perceptions. The 2016 research noted the growth in negative perceptions, amplified by the media, that campers are responsible for litter, waste and bad behaviour, rousing a public concern that drives greater local restrictions. Freedom campers can be seen as costly visitors, requiring public facilities like parking, rubbish collection, public toilets. Ratepayers see themselves as subsidising them. Who is freedom camping? Estimates suggested about 245,000 people responsible camped in New Zealand in 2019, before covid. Around 63% (154,000) were international visitors, 37% (91,000) were NZers. Age The average age of domestic campers was 63 years of age. The average age of international campers was 26 yrs (purchased their own vehicle), 32 years (hired a budget vehicle), 41 years (hired a premium vehicle). Where did they camp? NZers: designated responsible camping sites 34% of nights; commercial camps 15%; NZMCA parks 24%; International visitors: 17–34% at commercial camps. How many nights? 2.67 million responsible camping nights; an average of 11 nights per person. Spending by freedom campers Campervan travellers report higher than average spending on activities/admission fees and transport costs. International visitors purchasing vehicles generally stayed longer and spent more than those hiring. Finally Research has proven that most International freedom campers are here longer, engage more with communities, add value if on a work and holiday visa, and actually spend more per person when visiting our country, than most short-term tourists who choose luxury high-value tourism options. See also If the law changes Freedom camping bylaws Waiting on a law change Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 2

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Setting up at Campfest. Bulls, Rangatikei. ©2024 Tracey Davis. ​ Setting up at Campfest Tracey Davis Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 2

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Where-we-MNR_2659_H.webp ©2024 M Richardson assume the new laws apply everywhere Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? M Richardson If you do not want to freedom camp you do not need the new green warrant. The existing blue standard and blue warrant is still acceptable for all other places that require certified self-containment (so far). ■ The new government is not making any of the changes it championed in the Select Committee stages of the amendment to the Freedom Camping Act. ■ Green warrant cards for freedom camping are being issued, as long as you meet the eight new requirements. See PGDB diagram and link, p8 ■ There are still insufficient testers across the country for the number of vehicles that need warrants in the available time. Search the list here (put in your region first). ■ Costs for getting a 4-year green warrant vary from $200 to $300, including the $120 PGDB levy. ■ The NZMCA has indicated that it will not be issuing green warrant cards until or unless the venting requirements for cassette toilets are lifted. They intend to issue non-green cards for those who do not wish to freedom camp (or pay the government levy) which will be sufficient proof of self-containment for NZMCA parks and events and, presumably, their park over properties. ■ The peculiarities around the venting of toilet cassettes is still required for a green warrant. There are indications that this vent rule will be changed to exclude cassette and compost toilets but this won’t be confirmed until later in the year, if you can trust the politicians. ■ Aside from the venting issue the other peculiarities around self-containment managed by the Plumbers and Gasfitters Board are going to remain part of the regulations. There is no process or willingness to revise any other rules. The Minister has declared he won’t look at any revisions of the law as a whole until June next year at the earliest. ■ Rental companies must have green warrants by Dec 7 this year if the tourists are to be able to use these vehicles to freedom camp. The rest of us already-certified travellers, have until 7 June 2025. ■ From June next year the law demands that the Government must review any effect on homeless vehicle dwellers. ■ Money from international tourist’s levies, that could have been used to improve facilities for freedom campers has instead been spent on Councils to fund bylaw changes, provide enforcement and ambassador programs, plus fund the new PGDB vehicle certification system. The bulk of these funds was paid by MBIE to the regions with the strongest restrictions (and least provision) for freedom camping such as Queenstown Lakes District. ■ Those with fixed toilets and a blue warrant card issued before 7 Jun 2024 will be able to continue to freedom camp until 7 June 2025. ■ There is no indication that the government will extend the available time beyond 7 June 2025 as the Act allows. ■ Only those certified before 7/7/23 with a portable toilet can freedom camp: no-one else with a portable toilet can freedom camp on council-controlled land. ■ Regions vary in their enforcement of the new legislation. Some regions simply choose not to police the certified vehicle restrictions. Some don’t yet have the bylaws in place to apply restrictions, prohibit areas or offer freedom camping areas for non-self-contained campers. ■ It is safest, from a getting fined point of view, to assume the new laws apply everywhere, and to check the region’s website and their signs very carefully for their current rules. n Image: ©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 2

5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption recipe-NZbackcountrycooking-H.webp recipe-F-NZbackcountrycooking-H.webp On the BBQ or in a frying pan Easy-to-make flat breads — Recipes for camping Margaret Earle These recipes come from the fabulous book New Zealand Backcountry Cooking by Paul and Rebecca Garland. This book is written particularly with trampers in mind, but the recipes are great for camping too. Sadly, now out of print, but keep your eye out for it. Tortillas I have made these tortillas very successfully on the BBQ when we have been camping. You can also make them in a frying pan. Makes 8. Ingredients 2 cups plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 3 Tbsp cooking oil ¾ cup warm water If you are tramping, or you want to sort the ingredients before you leave home, measure out the flour and baking powder and put them together in a plastic bag. Don’t add the oil or warm water until you are ready to make the tortillas. Method Add the oil and warm water to the flour and baking powder and knead into a soft dough. Rest the dough for 15 minutes to improve the flexibility. Divide dough into 8 equally sized portions. Roll the portions out flat. Cook for 2 minutes on each side on the BBQ or with a little oil in a hot frying pan. Don’t overcook. This bread can be served with any meal. n Dosas This recipe is gluten free. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m keen to do so. I’m always on the lookout for easy-to-make gluten free recipes for family members who are gluten intolerant. The method is very similar to the tortilla recipe above. Makes 8. Ingredients ¾ cup lentil flour ¾ cup chickpea flour ¾ cup coconut flour ¼ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp coriander ½ tsp Thai seasoning ¾ cup warm water Method Add the oil and ¾ cup of warm water to the dry ingredients and knead into a soft dough. Rest the dough for 20 minutes. Divide dough into 8 equally sized portions. Roll the portions out flat. Cook for 2 minutes on each side in a little oil in a hot frying pan. Don’t overcook. Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 13

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption tiny-aeropress_mw.webp ​ Coffee while wild camping Outdoorsman Dave How do you prepare your coffee while wild camping? It’s fresh ground beans in an aeropress for me! ©2023 Outdoorsman Dave Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 33

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram Cooking marshmallows. ©2023 Heather Auckram ©2023 Heather Auckram I was invited to spend the New Year with friends at their crib at Papatowai. ©2023 Heather Auckram I rode on a trailer being towed along a long sandy beach. I squashed a few sandflies and went to bed blissfully happy each night. Catlins, Southland . Heather Auckram ©2023 Heather Auckram We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram About 10pm the sun went down, so we put the lead on the dog and made our way to the beach. We set up our deck chairs and chilly bin and watched the huge bonfire being lit on the sand. It crackled into life and flames reached for the stars in the still air. People mixed and mingled, sharing a laugh and a story. I crept into my camp some time around 1am on a warm, star-filled night. Hello 2023. ©2023 Heather Auckram We dipped our toes in the cold sea. ©2023 Heather Auckram I went to bed blissfully happy each night HELLO 2023 Heather Auckram I was invited to spend the New Year with friends at their crib at Papatowai. To tell you the truth, it has been fifteen years since I was last in the Catlins. Shameful really; I live in Southland. The weather was perfect. Long hot sunny days with a warm gentle breeze. The drive over was easy, on good roads with little traffic and well signposted. I met my friends at the New Year’s Eve fair on the beachfront. There were markets and games and prizes to be had. I didn’t take any photos as I was so overcome with the joy of being at an old-fashioned fair like those of my childhood many decades ago. About 10pm the sun went down, so we put the lead on the dog and made our way to the beach. We set up our deck chairs and chilly bin and watched the huge bonfire being lit on the sand. It crackled into life and flames reached for the stars in the still air. People mixed and mingled, sharing a laugh and a story. I crept into my camp some time around 1am on a warm, star-filled night. Hello 2023. Over the following hot summer days, we took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people), dipped our toes in the cold sea, rode on a trailer being towed along a long sandy beach, squashed a few sandflies and went to bed blissfully happy each night. Oh, I must tell you — there is limited mobile phone reception at Papatowai. I believe a couple of providers work, but I am with Spark and had no phone reception at all. Four days off the radar! If you want to stop the world and get off for a while — then Papatowai could be the place for you. I was shocked at how often I reached for my mobile phone. It was great not being beeped at on a regular basis or concerning myself with melodramas that are not even part of my life. I think I had developed a habit — but no more. My phone stays at home more than I do these days. Thank you Papatowai. Photos ©2023 Heather Auckram Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 8

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mt Ruapehu Morning dawned with clear blue skies and a breathtaking view of Mount Ruapehu. ©2022 Gary Stoneley National Park car park We traveled to National Park and stayed overnight (free camping) in the station car park. This site has a Kiwi Camp amenities block. ©2022 Gary Stoneley Steam train, National Park A highlight for us was the steam train stopping off while we were there. ©2022 Gary Stoneley Te Kuiti pedestrian bridge we recommend taking a left turn before crossing the rail lines and walking across the amazing rail pedestrian bridge into the Te Kuiti town centre ©2022 Gary Stoneley Bev in Te Kuiti ©2022 Gary Stoneley A Japanese garden in Te Kuiti ©2022 Gary Stoneley Gary at Sanctuary Mountain Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari ecological wildlife reserve has many hectares of native bush and walking track. ©2022 Bev Stoneley Old growth tree Maungatautari ©2022 M Richardson Fungi Maungatautari ©2022 M Richardson The view from the sanctuary ©2022 M Richardson ​ Taking a left turn Gary Stoneley Are you a mainstream traveler, always following the main highways or are you a diversionist, taking that chance to detour from the main route to explore and maybe encounter something new or different? On our recent trip north we decided to veer from the main flow of traffic and take a left turn. Our journey started at Waiouru Army Museum , a favourite overnight stop over of ours on our trips up the North Island. Free for certified self-contained campers, with a security patrol and access to toilets and cafe during opening hours, its a safe stopover, even in the snow. On this trip the morning dawned with clear blue skies and a breathtaking view of Mount Ruapehu. Instead of our usual sprint across the desert road we chose to turn left and head towards Ohakune. First stop the site of the Tangiwai rail disaster Christmas Eve 1953. Considerable work has been put into this memorial reserve with information boards and new public toilets. We saw no signs to state you could not stop overnight. Ohakune has made its claim to fame from mountain skiing and a giant carrot but it now offers so much more. As soon as you hit the town you see a masterful children's playground, full of life-size characters, play equipment and adjacent to a modern toilet block and dump station. Ruapehu District Council must be commended on the improvements they are making. If travelling through Ohakune you must visit the chocolate eclair shop. What surprised us most in the town was the sheer number of cyclists. From being a winter skiing hotspot prior to Covid 19 the town has become a cycling mecca with multiple bike tour operators, cycling shops and associated adventure activities. The prime ride is the Old Coach Road suitable for all levels of riders. We have pencilled this in for our next trip. From Ohakune we traveled to National Park and stayed overnight (free camping) in the station car park. This site has a Kiwi Camp amenities block. This was our first time at purchasing a token (from the station cafe) and using a Kiwi Camp which included toilets, showers, laundry and basic kitchen facilities. With only a few camping vehicles during the day the site became a plethora of mingling international visitors together with kiwi travellers. Powered sites and electric vehicle charging points were also available, a sign of changing times. Highlights for us were the steam train stopping off while we were there and getting our electric bikes out on the local tracks into the hills. Continuing up the left side of the mountains and Lake Taupo we travelled past the Owhanga Lodge and Hotel which offers accommodation and adventure rafting activities and through Taumaranui, home of the Forgotten World Adventures to Te Kuiti. Famous for shearing and Colin Meads we recommend taking a left turn before crossing the rail lines and walking across the amazing rail pedestrian bridge into the town centre. With everything from modern stained glass pictures portraying the regions history to a Japanese garden there is a lot to see. Te Kuiti also has a small Kiwi Camp but we decided to carry on to Otorohanga stopping at a basic sheltered campground, with power and facilities backing onto the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park . On our travels we have visited many kiwi houses but this one remains our favourite. Te Kuiti and Otorohanga are near the Waitomo Glowworm Caves but on this trip we decided to travel the short distance to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari ecological wildlife reserve. The park comprises many hectares of native bush and walking tracks of varying lengths. A moderate level of fitness is recommended due to the undulating nature of the tracks. A highlight for us was coming across an abandoned kiwi burrow in the base of a large tree and an active one in a bank. Self-contained campers can stay overnight in the outside carpark. This ensures you get to see and hear the birds at their most active early in the morning. We were more than happy to make a worthwhile donation towards the development of the reserve. From here our adventure up the left side came to an end but we made sure we checked out some of the many camping reserves along the banks of the mighty Waikato River, got lost and were on the lookout for a red tractor. But that is a story for another day. Turning off the main highway and taking that left turn was well worth it! Photos ©2022 Gary Stoneley Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 5