1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2022 Tackle Tactics The bill is based on the flawed premise that travellers with a portable toilet are less responsible than those with a fixed toilet The controversial Nash Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill Gary Stoneley The Minister of Tourism’s (MP Stuart Nash) draconian proposals to further regulate ‘freedom’ camping in NZ is a hot topic at the moment. For two years the minister has been very vocal about what he wants to change and when it will happen. Time is getting on and finally we have a proposed bill to study. Following on from initial public consultation of the style ‘we are going to do this’, the industry has been in a state of limbo, wondering if and when any changes will take place. Stuart Nash’s proposals, should they progress, do not address the current regulatory inconsistencies and disadvantages for tent campers but move to further disadvantage ‘all’ vehicle campers who carry a portable toilet. Based on the misguided premise that travellers with a portable toilet are less responsible than those with a fixed toilet, the Minister’s proposals intend to stop all vehicles with portable toilets from being able to be certified as self contained. These proposals are harmful to our camping industry and detrimental to an inclusive society. The Ministers proposals dont address the problem of providing toilets for travellers. The lack of public facilities thorough the country is the root cause of the problem, and it affects all travellers, not just those who camp. While the Minister suggests that the government tried allocating money to provide public facilities, which has not worked to solve the toileting problem, much of this money was spent on enforcing rules, very little on actually providing public facilities. One would have to question why the Minister for Tourism with a brief to support regional economies, seems so hell-bent on restricting thousands of NZ campers from enjoying this recreational activity. The Ministers with responsibility for camping legislation, the Freedom Camping Act and Campground Regulations in NZ are Conservation, Health and Recreation and Sport. There is no doubt that NZ camping legislation is out of date and needs substantive review, but having a misguided Minister of Tourism, fiddling with our freedom camping because he seems to have a portable toilet fetish, is unhelpful. His attacks on responsible NZ campers who use portable toilets comes across as vindictive. There is no question that it is far better for a small vehicle camper, traveling and living in their vehicle, to have a portable toilet than no toilet at all. By voluntarily having this on-board, campers not only have the opportunity to use it when caught short, but are (currently) able to enjoy staying overnight at self-contained-only-sites. There is no obvious benefit in the removal this incentive for small vehicle campers to have a portable toilet on-board, and some very obvious down-sides. To be self contained a vehicle must have a ‘fixed’ toilet — consequences. The proposal to exclude portable toilets from the definition of self-contained will exclude many of NZ’s campers who have older classic caravans and motorhomes, trailer tents and outback campers, poptop caravans, vehicles with roof top tents, small vans, teardrop campers and slide on campers. Under Stuart Nash’s proposals these campers will be excluded from staying at many council reserves or other government controlled land. Up until now the benefits of self-containment have encouraged vehicle campers to have a portable toilet, but this proposal removes the incentive and negates the hoped-for benefits from this proposal. Excluding some kinds of campers from public land —consequences. The bill will have an immediate effect on the more than half of NZ councils which do not have freedom camping bylaws. Camping vehicles that are not certified as self-contained when the bill becomes law, will be immeditately blocked from freedom camping on any public land controlled by a local authority. These councils will have to take on the cost of enforcing these new rules when they come into force. NZTA (NZ Transport Authority) and LINZ (Land Information NZ) will be given power to issue notices and manage freedom camping. Older classic caravans and motorhomes, trailer tents, outback campers, poptop caravans, vehicles with roof-top tents, small vans, teardrop campers and slide on campers, and other vehicles, which can (and currently do) freedom camp responsibly, are being excluded from self-containment under the new rules. Councils could well lose the patronage of these groups of campers and the economic benefits they bring. A council that wants to encourage all NZers to visit would need to expressly cater for non-self-contained freedom camping — this will necessitate the cost of developing and consulting on new policy and bylaws, create signage etc . This is a change that could well create greater inconsistency between regions. Councils that already have freedom camping bylaws have 2 years to transition their bylaws to the new rules. The costs of the changes — who pays? The increased regulation will not apply to all travellers. It is intended that the administration of self-containment be tightened, with greatly increased administrative costs collected from users and the issuing bodies. The expense and administrative burden of the proposed new law will be borne by the premium camper market, those who already have fixed-toilets. In effect, the increased regulation process will only affect those campers that are not considered by the Minister to be a problem in the first place. Small vans, poptop campers, teardrop campers and roof top tents etc. which do not have a ‘fixed toilet’ will not be eligible for, nor subject to, self-containment regulations. Currently these vehicles are eligible for and operate as self-contained, responsible travellers. Why the focus on fixed toilets? You have to wonder why the Minister is so obsessed with the “fixed toilet” issue. Perhaps he has had a bad experience. As a cyclist, he may have experienced being caught short while out on the road. Outdoorsy-types with a small camper and portable toilet at least have a toilet they can use. The Minister, out and about with his ute and his bike, perhaps (probably?) does not. Despite media hype there is very little verified evidence of poor toileting behaviour by freedom campers, and the Minister has not, when asked (by Official Information Request) been able to supply supporting evidence for his assertions. Small-camper tourists spend more You also have to wonder why the Minister is so obsessed with small-vehicle camping. The evidence supplied on his behalf by MBIE shows that tourists with small-vehicle campers spend more in NZ than their wealthier counterparts — less per day but more over their stay in NZ. NZ’s Leisure Camping Industry Made up of several different interest groups, with differing priorities, the NZ Leisure camping industry is a wide network that must work together to protect the future of recreational camping in NZ. Over the past 2 decades there have been considerable attacks by the media and point scoring by MP’s at the expense of NZ campers. In many cases these attacks on NZ campers have been targeted at campers who are seen to be at the ‘non premium’ end of the market. A perception has been created and promoted by various lobby groups and NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) that the budget camper / tourist does not contribute to our society. This could not be further from the truth. Any individual or family, only has so much disposable income. Money comes in and it is often spent on mortgages or rent, day to day living costs, purchases, medical expenses and entertainment. While it is up to each family or individual to decide how they wish to spend their disposable income, wherever they are, home or traveling that money still gets spent. People traveling NZ and camping continue to spend and the communities through which they travel are the beneficiaries of this spending. Whether a person spends $300 a week in their home town or $300 a week across the country, retailers, employees and government all benefit. A traveler in a small campervan will spend their disposable income in the communities they visit just as a traveler in a large motorhome will spend their disposable income. It is not right for us as a society to judge people on image, what they can afford to spend, or whether they choose to stay local or travel and enjoy what the country offers. It is right for us to appreciate the contribution that each member of our community makes, even if they are just traveling through. The reality is that travel camping is healthy and benefits families and communities. Summary In summary, Minister Stuart Nash’s proposals, should they go ahead, will not achieve the outcome he intends and they are not workable. There is no identified benefit to any sector of the NZ leisure camping industry or to local authorities. The increased compliance processes and costs would be a blatant waste of government money and a waste and burden on ordinary NZ campers as well as local councils. Where to from here? So where do we go from here? The Minister for Tourism Stuart Nash has now presented his draft bill in parliament. The supporting self-containment regulations will only be made available when the bill begins its readings in parliament. Both the bill and regulations will go to select committee, the public and industry for submissions and review. There is opportunity for public submissions. Until legislation is passed the current ‘voluntary’ 4-year, self containment standard NZS 5465:2001 still applies. There is currently no change. If new legislation on self containment is passed there will be a transition / implementation period. New systems take time. Keep the issue alive In the meantime, we can keep the issue alive by discussion forums and making MP’s and the public aware of the failings and implications of the bill. Online discussions, petitions and public protests are all good options. Camping the Kiwi Way has developed ‘Proud to be a Camper’ vehicle decals. BY: Gary Stoneley, Founder, All Points Camping Club of NZ Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 9

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption There is the toilet tent Toilet and shower tent. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Toilet and shower tent. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock ​ Toilet and shower tent Gary Hitchcock Toilet and shower tent. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 25

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Skippers Canyon Quite happy to have taken the tour. Able to look at the sights. Just WOW. Loved it. ©2024 Trisha Fisk Skippers Canyon Quite happy to have taken the tour. Able to look at the sights. Just WOW. Loved it. ©2024 Trisha Fisk Skippers Canyon Quite happy to have taken the tour. Able to look at the sights. Just WOW. Loved it. ©2024 Trisha Fisk Skippers Canyon Quite happy to have taken the tour. Able to look at the sights. Just WOW. Loved it. ©2024 Trisha Fisk ​ Skippers Canyon Trisha Fisk Quite happy to have taken the tour and not my truck up Skippers Canyon. I think she’d have handled it, but not thanked me. Tour with Nomad was great. Able to look at the sights. Just WOW. Loved it. There is a DOC camp at the end, but a lot of history and a lot of it ugly. Think there might be some restless spirits in there. Central Otago. ©2024 Trisha Fisk Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 7

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption pgdb-logo.webp ​ What to do? Miriam Richardson With the new self-containment system in disarray ( see p13 ), what do you do with your new build, conversion or upgrade? Four choices. Put it off for now. Wait to see if the new government will make changes which may remove the need or determine what work is required. Build/upgrade to meet the existing standard + fixed toilet (NZS 5465:2001) before June 2024 . Good for freedom camping until June 2025 (good elsewhere for 4 years). Decide not to freedom camp. Build/upgrade to meet the existing standard with a portable toilet. You can go to places like DOC, park over properties, and events that require certification. You can also use private campgrounds or join NZMCA for access to their national network of parks. Find a testing officer if you can ( p13 ). Ask what he wants you to do. Do it. Be one of the first with a green card More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 4

5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption New caravan The Desert Road Margaret Earle The Desert Road On our first road trip with our new caravan. We made it successfully from Wellington to Whangarei. ©2023 Margaret Earle Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 8

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

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024 All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024 All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove ​ All Points Camping at Morisons Bush Bette Cosgrove Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 21

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Fixing-H.webp Touch wood, I have now fixed the soft patch in my floor Fixing a soft floor on a UK Caravan Graham Leslie UK caravan floors sometimes get spongy or soft in high traffic areas due to delamination of the floor. A UK caravan floor like mine is made of about 30 to 40mm of foam sandwiched between two thin (about 4mm) layers of plywood. Touch wood, I have now fixed the soft patch in my floor, and I found the repair job relatively simple to carry out. ONE I started out by watching some YouTube videos to see what others had done and found this very useful. I recommend you watch lots of these videos to gain a consensus on the best technique. TWO I ordered a repair kit online that came with resin and wooden dowels. THREE After removing the caravan’s carpet mats I carefully cut the vinyl floor along the lines of the floor board wood pattern with a fresh sharp-bladed craft knife. This is made it easier to hide cuts when I put the vinyl back. In my caravan the vinyl is not glued down (I don’t know how common this is) so once cut, it was easy to lift up and peel back the vinyl from the area of spongy floor. When you cut out the vinyl for the area you want to treat, allow a border around your treatment area of at least 5cm. I also only cut out 3 sides of the square and carefully folded the vinyl back to make it easier to reinstate later. FOUR Next job was to drill holes in the floor. These are to pour resin in and plug with the 8mm wooden dowels. It is important not to drill right through the floor, so I set up a spacer on my drill to limit the depth. Calculating the floor thickness can be done by measuring through a ventilation hole or holes cut for wiring or heating, probably found under one of the bunks. The drilled holes are laid out in a 5cm by 5cm grid. Sweep up the sawdust after drilling the holes. FIVE Then it is case of filling and refilling the holes with resin until it stops running into the floor. On my floor I had rows of six holes, and I would fill a row several times, then fill the next row and then come back and refill the holes again and keep refilling them until the resin was overflowing the holes slightly and the resin stopped disappearing down the holes. Where the floor was particularly spongy it took a lot more resin and I repeatedly refilled the holes. Some disposable gloves are handy when it comes to this stage, and I recommend you mask the vinyl edges with masking tape to prevent getting resin on the vinyl. I tried cling wrap to protect the vinyl and it did not work. SIX Once you have filled a row of holes so that they don’t take any more resin push the dowels down into the holes like plugs. The repair kit came with 30mm-long dowels which pushed down flush with my holes. I ran out of the kit dowels and continued with some 40mm-long dowels I already had. These sat proud and had to be trimmed off later — not really a major problem. I found having something like a spatula or putty knife to push them down was handy. SEVEN I worked my way down the caravan floor towards the door. As the resin goes off it foams (like Gorilla® glue or polyurethane glue) up and around the dowels. Some of the YouTube videos recommended I put a flat board with weights on it over the floor while the resin went off to stop the floor bowing upwards. I could not see how I could do this without then also ending up with it glued to the floor. My floor still feels flat to me, so I don’t think in my case it was necessary. EIGHT We then left it alone for 48 hours. When we came back it had all set hard and we just needed to clean up the resin that was sitting proud. This was fairly easy with a multi tool to trim the bulk of oozed out resin and then a bit of sandpaper to finish things off. NINE We have laid the vinyl back down but have not glued it down yet in case we want to lift it again for other bits of floor. The joins along the side are invisible but there is a 1 or 2mm gap at the far end as if the vinyl has shrunk slightly long ways. I am not sure what is the best option to re-secure the vinyl. Two options spring to mind. a. Lay some sticky tape on the floor, sticky side up. Lay this tape under the edge of the vinyl still on the floor and then lay the raised vinyl back onto the other half of it and effectively join the bits of vinyl. b. Glue the vinyl back down with coloured silicon “no more gaps” type sealant. Wood coloured versions are available and will hopefully hide any damage or gaps in the vinyl. The repaired floor looks good at the moment, not secured, and now the carpet mats are back on top. However, I think it could get ratty if left unsecured long-term. All images ©2024 Graham Leslie Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 26

4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption SStay_kekrungu 15.webp SStay_kekerungu 17.webp Stop and Stay stopandstay.org The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough), Stop and Stay Marty Ireland This Marlborough, east sea coast, little camp, 45 min south of Blenheim, and 45 min north of Kaikoura, had a humble beginning with campers allowed, but out of sight of the store, for no charge but no facilities. However in recent years a purpose-converted container was installed, with paid showers (including a disability shower), toilets with hot water at the basin and a paid laundry; and there is one emergency power point near the ablution block for anyone desperate for a charge-up. It has become a popular stopping point with a modest charge of $14 pp. It’s a wee gem to stop and chill out at, even on short notice. The sites are varied — right beside the sea, some with the a BBQ table or rustic seats, some under trees, some in spots hidden away among trees and some on clear grass. One important consideration is its proximity to the active (fenced off) railway line. Both the camp and the store are dog-friendly. The Store is open all day and boasts good coffee, a great food selection, sea views, a cosy fire (in season) and local artisan products. While you can book in at the shop they prefer you do it online but be aware it’s a bit confusing and check your receipt. Walk the beach, surf the break, drive or bike up the valleys behind for mountain and sea views, or for a treat, visit the nearby eatery and crayfish store. The Store 5748 SH1 Kekerengu 03 575 8600 thestore.kiwi Stop and Stay Check out our Stop and Stay listings for recommended places to stop and stay on your travels around NZ. Only the best. www.stopandstay.org Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 31

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ A storm over the DOC Homestead campsite Tony Kissel A storm over the DOC Homestead campsite near St Bathans, Central Otago. Tony Kissel Photo ©2023 Tony Kissel Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 6

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Fix’n’Rail Lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area, or, if you don’t need it to slide, fix it in place ​ Fix’n’Rail Mystenterprise Due out late October, the Fix’n’Rail is a heavy duty sliding rail and secure bracket that lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area, or, if you don’t need it to slide, fix it in place. They say the bracket allows the holding tank to be removed for emptying and it can be adjusted for different sized toilets. ◼️ From mystenterprise: ckw.nz/fix-n-rail Images: mystenterprise.com Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 24

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Self-containment-which.jpg ​ Self-containment certification: Which one is yours? Miriam Richardson Here are the different kinds of certification cards. We dont know what the green card looks like yet. For clarity: No blue card can be used for freedom camping after 6 June 2025. [Revised, Editor] Certified Blue before 6/23 (any toilet) OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025 (or until your card expiry date, if it is sooner). [Revised 12/12/23, Editor] OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires. Certified Blue fixed toilet OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025 (or until your card expiry date, if it is sooner). [Revised 12/12/23, Editor] OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires. Certified Blue portable toilet You may not freedom camp on public land †. OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires. NEW: Certified Green(fixed toilet only) OK to freedom camp on public land†. Lasts 4 years. (Not yet available.) OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Good for 4 years or until the card expires. [We dont know what the green card will look like. Ed] Identify which kind of self containment you have, and be clear about where you are allowed to camp, so you can avoid fines and hassles The new freedom camping law specifically states that ‘short term parking’, and ‘ day-trip excursions,’ are not freedom camping. Recovering from driver fatigue continues to be allowed, and is, specifically, legally, not ‘freedom camping’. † What is ‘public land’? All land managed by district and local councils is covered. This can include land otherwise controlled by NZTA, LINZ or DOC. Currently LINZ has 5 freedom camping areas in Central Otago and the McKenzie Country, and the new law applies. As at Nov 2024 DOC has made no changes relating to self-containment: the existing standard applies (portable or fixed toilet) for sites that require self-containment. ckw.nz/linz More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 4