2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ How many freedom campers are there? Bette Cosgrove and Miriam Richardson Nobody knows. The Ministry has made some guesses. 'Certified self contained' freedom campers MBIE, the government ministry charged with providing the Minister of Tourism with facts, does not know how many freedom camping vehicles there are. They do not know how many private vehicles, that are currently certified self contained, would become ineligible because their toilets are not fixed (if the law changes, as proposed). They have estimated (because they do not know) that there are 73,000 vehicles currently certified, all of which have usable toilets, but they do not know what kind of toilet. [ ckw.nz/mbie-numbers MBIE estimates the rental fleet at 5,000 vehicles, and they do not know how many of those have fixed or non-fixed toilets either. Responsible, but uncertified freedom campers MBIE does not know how many New Zealanders use their vehicles to freedom camp. How many freedom campers shit in the bushes? MBIE do not know. They have an estimate from a small survey, of how many don't use their onboard toilets, but they did not ask, so they do not know, how many of those used public toilets instead. See Talking to four van loads of international tourists for some real life information on this. How many NZ travellers, not camping, get caught short and use the bushes as a loo? MBIE do not know, and I don't think they have even considered this, nor the inadequate provision of public facilities across the country. They, and we, can pretty safely assume that travellers that don't expect to camp probably don't carry a toilet (fixed or unfixed) with them. All in all, an appalling lack of facts All in all, the lack of facts underlying the proposed legislative changes is pretty appalling. These changes will affect New Zealanders for generations to come, and are being rushed through, regardless of a profound lack of facts. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 4

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

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Our little escape pod Rhonda Marshall 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. Rhonda Marshall Photo ©2023 Rhonda Marshall Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 7

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption hydro_3394_H.webp ©2024 M Richardson The park There is a longdrop toilet in the bushes to the right of the entrance way. ©2024 M Richardson ©2024 M Richardson The map ©2024 M Richardson How the power is made ©2024 M Richardson Old equipment on display ©2024 M Richardson The walk up to the penstock ©2024 M Richardson More of the path up ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Looking down the pipe to the power station ©2024 M Richardson The water race ©2024 M Richardson The water race The path looks really safe and easy. ©2024 M Richardson Wide path beside the water race/ Nice, wide safe and easy. ©2024 M Richardson Becomes very narrow beside the water race. ©2024 M Richardson From the water race edge to the intake weir. Wide enough for a quad bike. ©2024 M Richardson The intake weir ©2024 M Richardson Golden Bay Stunning views over Golden Bay on the loop back. ©2024 M Richardson Golden Bay Stunning views over Golden Bay on the loop back.©2024 M Richardson Golden Bay Stunning views over Golden Bay on the loop back. ©2024 M Richardson The road out (and in) ©2024 M Richardson a board perched on the outer edge of the race Walking the race Miriam Richardson I was parked up alone at the Pupu Hydro Power Scheme carpark on a Winter morning, a very pleasant freedom camping spot by the entrance to the walkway. There is a toilet tucked in the bushes if you need it. The carpark is at the end of an easy gravel road through farmland, beyond Pupu Springs in Golden Bay. The water race was originally built in 1901 for gold workings, and later repurposed to generate electricity, opening in 1929. After 51 years a malfunction put it offline, and volunteers eventually purchased and restored the water race and power plant, reopening it 8 years later, in 1988. It now produces 1.8 Gwh each year. The loop track was completed in 2003. The Pupu Hydro Scheme is an historic site, and the track is in Kahurangi National Park. There is a steep climb up to the penstock, where the water from the race is piped down to the power station. The track then follows the water race up the valley to the intake weir on Campbell’s Creek. From there the loop crosses the stream and winds slowly on a gravel access road, back down to the power station. 5.8km, 2 hours. No dogs. So. I headed up to the penstock, forgetting to take my walking pole. It was steep, rather damp and a bit slippery, so I decided to carry on along the nice wide board walk and do the loop rather than back down the slippery slope. The wide board walk turned into a narrow boardwalk turned into a very narrow board walk. Until this time I had never thought I was afraid of heights. But the very narrow path, with a (felt-flimsy-to-me) rail had me terrified. I haven’t often experienced vertigo before (those bridges without solid bases do it). The wide board walk turned into a narrow board walk turned into a very narrow board walk. Until this time I had never thought I was afraid of heights. But the very narrow path, with a (felt-flimsy-to-me) rail had me terrified. I haven’t often experienced vertigo before (those bridges without solid bases do it). Eyes on the end, hold the rail tight, don’t look left at the drop, step, move hand, step… repeat… ohhh, a post… move hand to the rail beyond the post… step again; repeat…repeat… Whew, made it… I considered turning back after the second round-the-bluff-we-go. If I had only known there were 15, all with terrifying drop-offs, not even trees to catch you as you fall… (how would anyone find me? I thought, if I slipped and fell?). It got narrower than pictured, but I wasn’t taking my clenched hand off the rail to take photos. The race itself was beautiful, with clear water, mosses and ferns. Sometimes the track was a board perched on the outer edge of the race (OMG!) . Eventually, it became a “normal” track, and I met men on a quad bike, up to do track maintenance. “You could have warned us, grumble, grumble …”. From here on it was quad-bikeable, less interesting, but my heart rate could climb down. Some lovely bush and great views over the valley, until it turned into a really boring bit of road to walk along. Boring was surprisingly enjoyable. Staying safe as you travel I had quite a few thoughts about the staying safe aspect of this walk. I was just lucky I didn’t slip or get vertigo and fall. Travelling alone and walking alone has risks and being in places with no mobile coverage has its risks. The hydro scheme site had no internet or mobile coverage when I was there. Personal locator beacon (PLB) Some people invest in a locator beacon, whch is useful not only when walking, but also when in your motorhome. They cost $300–500. When you get into trouble you trigger the alarm and wait for rescue.More: DOC: ckw.nz/doc-plbRescue Coordinanation Centre: ckw.nz/rescue-beacon . Personal safety phone app There are a variety of apps that work in different ways. Some are designed for walking to your car in the dark — hold the button down: if you take your finger off a distress message and your location is sent to bring help. I settled on the Get Home Safe Personal app, a NZ-made app with a good funding model. ckw.nz/get-home-safe With this app, you set a time when you will check back in, and tell it what to do if you don’t. It can send a text (costs) or a message. You tell it who to send the message to, and what to say. You can buy 10 texts for 3.99, and you buy more when you need them. Emails are free. While it is in action, the app monitors your location, sending to its server every 2 mins, or, if you are out of coverage, storing the data for when it next can send it. When it helps: if I feel really unwell at night (will I be capable in the morning?) with a morning check in; are those people a threat to me? with a 10 minute check in; if i am not back from my walk in 1/2/3 hours; driving in snow/ice/weather where there is no coverage: if I dont check in in 2/3/4 hours; travelling out of mobile coverage, if I am not back in contact in 2/3 days. My message can say what my plans are, where I am located and / or travelling, and whether or when emergency services should be involved. Parked up a valley with no coverage, its a bit late: you have to plan in advance. You need a reliable person to receive your messages and act on them. I ask them to try to contact me first (did I just forget to check in?) and take action if they are unable to reach me. More Which to use? The PLB is not tied to mobile coverage and has official, automatic responders, while an app requires preplanning and relies on others, but has more permutations and more general uses. Use both! All images ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 24

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption game-word-search-summer-23.webp ​ Word search: Tent camping Rhonda Marshall Here’s a word search relating to camping in a tent. Any words that have 3 parts such as “sun screen lotion” is written as 1 word in the grid. So you would look for sunscreenlotion. Words may be placed forward, backwards, diagonally, horizontally and vertically. Once you have found all your search words there are 20 letters left over. Working from top- to-bottom and left-to-right, record the letters in sequence to work out the 4 word secret message. Have fun! Airbed Bag Blankets Book Bowl Chilly bin Clothes pegs Coffee Cooker Cup Detergent Fly screen Fork Ground sheet Guy rope Insect repellant Lantern Light Pan Poles Pot Shoe Sleeping bag Stretcher Sun screen lotion Tea Tea towel Tent pegs Torch Towel Washing up bowl Water bottle Zips Download the page to print: game-Word-search-6_Summer .pdf Download PDF • 458KB View solution or download the solution to print: game-Word-search-solution-6_Summer .pdf Download PDF • 50KB Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 32

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ What makes a great and safe freedom camping space? PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT Physical space Turning space to get in and out easily. Room to open doors and put out a step. (BONUS: room for long vehicles.) Safe to park: gaps big enough for gas safety. (3m between vehicles.) Flat (lpg fridges need it flats). Room for all that turn up. Sealed or very firm ground, particularly in winter. Nice to have Close to town amenities — shops, banks, cafes. In or near a recreational area — lakes, walking / bike tracks, pools. Near or with any services: dump station, water, rubbish, toilet, shower, laundry. A fabulous view. Everyone loves a view. It needs a good sign. Hmmm. A good sign? Unambiguous wording. Truly, this is cannot be taken for granted. What kind of camping is allowed. Time restrictions. Where to park (and not park). Any restrictions or special conditions. BONUS: Big enough to read from the drivers’ seat. Whakatane’s McAlister St freedom camping spot: a great example The parks are wide enough for safety, and its easy to turn in and out. Motorhome parks (and non-parks) are clearly marked. There is a large, clear sign. There is a dump station, water, rubbish & recycling bins, and it is walking distance to town. Sadly there are only 5 spaces in the only freedom camping spot in the town. Pretty good view too, for an urban carpark. The beautiful Tuapiro Reserve in the Bay of Plenty Spaces are car-width, a clear map shows where you can park. Its a lovely place to park; plenty of room, great walks and views. This photo shows how vehicles have used alternate parks to give each other fire safety. But these campers are vulnerable, as others could park between, too close for safety, and blocking the doors. BY: Miriam Richardson Place. Space. Safety. NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ DOC and its Campsite Pass PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT Thirty- or 365-night pass. Buy online or at a DOC visitor centre. Gives access to most, but not all, DOC campsites. Some you book online before arrival; others, first in first served. Check online for each site. The pass has a maximum of 7 nights in a 30-day period at one campsite (you can buy further nights). 2022 prices 18 years + 30 nights: $97.50 1 year: $195 Age 5–17 yrs 30 nights : $47.40 1 year: $95 0–4yrs free LINKS DOC campsites DOC campsite pass DOC booking and paying onine PHOTO: Marfells Beach ©2022 Miriam Richardson Gives access to most, but not all, DOC campsites. NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption tiny-fran-rv_mw.webp ​ Hi, I’m Fran Franziska Hi, I’m Fran and I have lived on the road a long time. It’s a great life. ©2023 @Franziska RV and Tiny House Living NZ Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 3

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ Cycle touring: Canterbury to Southland PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 With the luxury of my panniers being carried in the campervan, I rode a big day out of The Catlins. NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ New Zealanders go Camping: Clubs & groups PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT Meet our first two camping groups: All Points Camping Club of NZ & Kiwi Pop Top Campers Each issue we will profile two clubs or groups that encourage us to explore our country All Points Camping Club of NZ NZ’s inclusive camping club NZ wide, we provide support and encouragement to NZ campers, no matter what type of camping vehicle you use. Camping has a long history as a recreational activity in NZ and many thousands of us enjoy traveling and camping out in different regions, often on less-traveled roads. Managed by a dedicated team of volunteers, the club supports its members in hosting and promoting camping events around the country, including 3rd party events with a camping component. These can include regional camps, festivals and special purpose camps supporting different groups. With a base philosophy of helping fellow campers there is always someone with the knowledge or contacts to be of assistance, when needed. As the club nears it’s 7th year anniversary, there are now regional reps throughout the country to help and support local members. As an All Points Camping Club member you receive considerable savings from national retailers that far exceed the $35 annual membership fee. By becoming a financial member you help us in the fight to ensure campers’ future rights, and fair and sustainable NZ-wide camping. The All Points Camping Club of NZ is proud to co-sponsor Camping the Kiwi Way initiatives. More, or to join: www.allpointscampingnz.org or find us at All Points Camping on Facebook. Gary Stoneley, club founder Kiwi Pop Top Campers Welcome to Kiwi Pop Tops When I first bought my 1976 Sprite Pop Top I couldn’t find any information on the web. I knew there were plenty of Pop Tops made in New Zealand back in the day so I thought I would set up the Kiwi Pop Tops Facebook group to see if there were many others out there. It would be a group where we could all share info, photos, stories and history on our different brands of Pop Tops. I thought I would get maybe 50 –100 people join the group, but we now have nearly 3,000 members and last month alone had 27,000 views! With Kiwis not been able to travel overseas over the past couple of years they have been buying caravans and motorhomes to travel around our own country. This has pushed the price of caravans up through the roof so the good old Kiwi Pop Top has become an affordable alternative. Easy to tow and small enough to store in your garage is also a bonus. This page was setup for anyone with an interest in pre ‘90 Kiwi Pop Tops including Sprite, Playboy, Nifty Nomad, Anglo Cheetah & Cubs, Topagee, Expander, Sunbird, Camp-o-matic, Liteweight Pop Tops and more. If you need advice on restoration or modernising projects, looking for parts or retro accessories you can find it all here at facebook.com/groups/kiwipoptops Also keep an eye out for our Website, coming soon! www.kiwipoptops.co.nz Mike Walters All Points Camping Club of NZ & Kiwi Pop Top Campers NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ Travelling the world on a motorcycle PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT There are more ways than one to travel the country, or the world, for that matter. LeRoy Knierim decided to do it on a motorcycle. It took ten years to circle the globe. Selling up in New York as a structural engineer he loaded his bike and camper trailer and set off for There are more ways than one to travel the country, or the world, for that matter. LeRoy Knierim decided to do it on a motorcycle. It took ten years to circle the globe.the experience of a lifetime. He arrived in New Zealand December 1988 after spending a year traveling the coastline of Australia, working his way up the East coast with a circus, setting up their equipment. He arrived in Wellington and met us at a Bikers Rights Meeting. Staying at mine while he waited for his transport to arrive by ship from OZ. That made for an interesting Christmas as LeRoy regaled us with stories of his travels (and my daughter was born Xmas Day). The camper trailer opens out on both sides giving plenty of room to sleep and lots of storage space. The bike is a Suzuki 850, not available in New Zealand. We got the baby brother 750. We spent many hours on the road traveling NZ and attending motorbike rallies that were popular in the 80s and 90s. Le Roy had the distinction of being the ONLY person to have attended the Northern- and Southern-most bike rallies in the world with the Brass Monkey being in Central Otago. We travelled light with only the essentials. Although we camped along the way we did not consider ourselves as campers but as riders or bikers, as opposed to the patched bikies. We camped responsibly, leaving no trace. How times have changed. Now we would need Le Roy’s trailer to carry the toilet. BY: Wayne Ravelich Now, we would need Le Roy’s trailer to carry the toilet. NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ TIPS Camping with preschoolers PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT We started our camping trips over this past summer with a then 3yo and 4yo (and two large dogs). We found the best thing when travelling was to limit how much time was spent travelling. We found they could do 4 hours at a time without too much hassle. Sometimes our destination was a 2 day trip. We always had snacks in the car that they could eat easily and a song playlist to sing and dance along too as well as all the other usual car games. Also had a device in case they just needed to zone out for a wee bit too. Actual camping etc was no problem. Gave them some ground rules (eg don’t go near water without a parent, stop and look before crossing the road or driveway into the camp ground, don’t harass others etc) but otherwise, so long as they could see us and we could see them, they were free to play. Took about a week, all up, to get them into our ‘camping routine’ but really easy with them now. Good luck and have fun! We can’t wait for warmer weather again to get back out there. BY: Rachel Taylor PHOTO: ©2022 M Richardson So long as they could see us and we could see them, they were free to play NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org