7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Waitohi Bush Reserve ©2024 Gill N Colin Miskelly, Waitohi Bush Reserve Our ‘go to’ place when we need to charge our batteries (only 8 mins from home , lol). Gill N Colin Miskelly Waitohi Bush Reserve ©2024 Gill N Colin Miskelly, only 8 mins from home Two nights (again) at our local reserve Gill N Colin Miskelly Two nights (again) at our local reserve… Waitohi Bush Reserve … A great place to just unwind and listen to the bellbirds. Has 2 tracks that are a bit steep in places but some nice walks along the shingle roads if you’re not into the bush walks!! Our ‘go to’ place when we need to charge our batteries (only 8 mins from home , lol). ©2024 Gill N Colin Miskelly, South Canterbury Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 13

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Caravan & Motorhome Electrics by Collyn Rivers Miriam Richardson This is a book for people who want to understand how their electrics work as well as for people who are designing / building / converting a caravan or motorhome. It tells you how to install, how to identify, understand and (sometimes) fix anything that does not work as it should. It will give you a good understanding of alternators, regulators, batteries and their charging and monitoring, solar energy and generators. It will help you scale what you want to do with what is possible in your particular setup. It also helps when you are talking to rv service professionals, who may be expert in vehicles but not rvs, or vice versa. Problems arise when service professionals don’t truly understand how the vehicle and RV systems differ and how they interact. You can read the table of contents ( ckw.nz/cme-contents ) and download a sample chapter from his website’s book page . His books are often in local libraries, you can buy them at book depository ($36NZ free delivery), or buy a kindle version from amazon.com.au ($AU12). Highly recommended. Links are here: rvbooks.com.au Choose > Our books. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 23

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka M RIchardson Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka. ©2024 M Richardson Another Glendhu Bay photo More on Glendhu Bay motorcamp Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 17

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Pannekoeken for breakfast ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Pannekoeken for breakfast ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Pannekoeken for breakfast ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Best brunch option ever, and a traditional favourite! Pannekoeken for breakfast Bette Cosgrove Every trip we make a breakfast fruits pancake. Usually apple pannekoeken. You need: Your favourite pancake mix: We often get the great pannekoeken mix from De Moelen, Foxton whenever we pass by and keep it permanently in a sealed container in our campervan. Or grab the Edmonds buttermilk or gluten-free shake-up pancake mix from supermarket. You can be flexible and add milk (or alternative milks like oat, soy, rice, coconut, or almond) or just use water. Check the pancake-mix container for how much liquid you need. If we have fresh eggs (free-range, bought along the way) we add one. Beat or shake up until well mixed. Slice in one fresh apple / pear cut in tiny pieces; or mashed banana; or berries if you have them. Mix your fruit of choice in, but just lightly. Make one, full-pan-sized fruit pancake per person: fill the pan with mixture. We use a small non-stick pan with a lid on our single ring gas burner as it's easy to wipe clean when done. Flip when bubbles appear and put a lid on when cooking the second side. We usually have coconut yoghurt in our fridge to serve with this, or open a tin of reduced cream if you have it. Best brunch option ever, and a traditional favourite! Photos ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 24

Lithium-ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries – a lithium battery rival Previous Next Collyn Rivers The two battery types share some similarities but differ in high-energy-density, long life-cycles, and safety. The use of lithium-ferro phosphate (LFP) in batteries increases the choice of chemicals for battery production and reduces reliance on the more expensive, and difficult to produce, lithium hydroxide. Collyn Rivers. Read here: ckw.nz/lithium-rival ​ Previous Next electrics_LFP_m.webp electrics_LFP_m.webp 1/1 ​ Advertisment ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Taking a left turn Previous Next 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! ​ Previous Next 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 The view from the sanctuary ©2022 M Richardson Mt Ruapehu Morning dawned with clear blue skies and a breathtaking view of Mount Ruapehu. ©2022 Gary Stoneley 1/10 ​ Advertisment ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mavora Lakes ©2024 Graham Leslie ​ More for councils and government Editor Articles of interest for those working in government and 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 Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 2

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Cassette opener tool The cassette opener tool in action, taking the pressure off the plastic lugs. Handle, shaped a bit The stick is a piece of broom handle, 300mm long. Cut a slice out of it. Add the screws. Cassette flap with holes See the holes drilled in the flap of the cassette. ​ A DIY tool to unscrew the top of the cassette John McMurdo This tool takes some of the pressure off the plastic lugs. In the flap from the top of the cassette, drill two holes, slotted to make a keyhole shape. They are at 70mm centers on our cassette; yours might differ. The stick is a piece of broom handle, 300mm long. Cut a slice out of it. This isn’t necessary but makes it fit more closely. Partially screw in two screws to match the holes you drilled in the cassette flap. Use this stick as a lever to turn the flap without putting too much pressure on the lugs , which are only plastic and easily broken. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 29

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mt Cook Viewed from the Lake Pukaki freedom camp. September 2024 ©2024 M Richardson Lake Pukaki View from the Lake Pukaki freedom camp. September 2024 ©2024 M Richardson Mt Cook Viewed from the Lake Pukaki freedom camp. September 2024 ©2024 M Richardson Did I mention, I just can’t get enough of this place? Lake Pukaki Miriam Richardson The freedom camping spot on Lake Pukaki: Did I mention, I just can’t get enough of this place? These photos taken this Winter. Max 3 days. Above: Mt Cook; below: dawn. ◼️ ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 33

Freedom camping on the East Cape Previous Next Bette Cosgrove and Miriam Richardson Gisborne District Council have very clear freedom camping bylaws which demand waste management, #leavenotrace principles. ckw.nz/gisborne They also ask you to apply for a free camping permit to use their many beautiful sites during summer. A good management strategy. You must have at least one portable chemical toilet between a max of 8 people. This is required for tents as well as vehicles. Vehicles need to be ‘self-contained’ but there is no demand for vehicles to be ‘certified self contained (CSC)’. They tell you where to find rubbish transfer stations and expect all campers to be responsible with their waste (or you can be fined). These bylaws clearly follow the intent of the Freedom Camping Act and look to be the perfect example for other districts, to ensure we can safely use our public land and take care of the environment. They also require 2.5m space between camp sites, for fire safety. Sadly, in the carparks they havent considered fire safety, and have taken a ‘blue box on a map’ approach to limiting freedom camping. The unsafe ‘blue-box-on-a-map’ approach to limiting freedom camping in a car park. (Shown: Bright St and Midway) The alternative approach is a ‘marked parks’ approach (such as in Whakatane, pictured), which spreads the overnight parks out within the carpark, so that no two are too close together. We can hope they will extend fire safety to overnight vehicles in carparks some time soon. These bylaws clearly follow the intent of the Freedom Camping Act and look to be the perfect example for other districts Previous Next Bright Street car park, allowed overnight parks. 'Blue box' method of marking. Paint the signs: protect the camper Painted signs on the actual car parks is a straightforward way to designate parks that are not hard up against each other. This matters even more when the parks are the right width for cars, but not for larger vehicles. 1/7 ​ Advertisment ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

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

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption staying-safe-H.webp ​ Staying safe as you travel Editor Roads Check out the road before you travel. NZTA provides maps with current road closures, dangers, warnings, road works. ckw.nz/highways Weather Get a weather app on your phone: NIWA and the Met Service both provide weather warnings as well as forecasts. (Pictured, the Windy.com app on a phone) Fire danger NIWA gives regional guides on the current fire danger. Check before you strike the match. fireweather.niwa.co.nz Electrical warrants Required by campgrounds, these warrants also ensure there is no electrical danger to you or your family. Renewed every 4 years. More Gas safety check These are not required, but recommended every 2 years. With the vibrations of travel even well constructed gas setups can develop leaks over time. Some people have gas sniffers so they can check their own space as they travel Fire safety Have a fire extinguisher, and be mindful where it is placed. Shake it up every month. A fire blanket works for different kinds of fires (more). Can you break a window to get out if there is a fire? With what? Alarms • Smoke, • Sudden heat, • Carbon monoxide, • LPG. Get the right ones in the right place with the right batteries / power. Check them regularly:perhaps as daylight saving changes. Personal Locator Beacons Stay safe when out in the wilds. More on p25 Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 38