8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption CKW-Featured-8-H.webp ​ Featured content, Winter 2024 Editor 7 Autumn gold: All the fun of Autumn: places, shared experiences, inspiring things you have seen and done. 8 Am I freedom camping? You may be surprised to learn when you are and aren’t actually freedom camping. 16 Composting and Coddiwompling I’m about to swap out my portable toilet for a composting, waterless toilet. 21 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning The problem, is that people are not taking the risks seriously. 28 Watts & Amps How to use electricity safely while camping. 45 RV businesses and services Need self-containment? LPG work? Electrical? And more. Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 3

4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Should the NZ tourism ministry should be making decisions for NZ’s recreation campers? 8 degrees of harm Gary Stoneley With change there always consequences. While some changes are positive and beneficial sometimes consequences cause a degree of harm. The recent changes to camping legislation in NZ will have a flow on effect throughout the leisure camping industry and to a large degree there is the potential for significant harm, to society (our supposedly inclusive camping culture) plus economic factors and environmental impact. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment prepared a ‘limited’ regulatory impact statement, but the impacts of the new legislation cause more than just a small degree of harm. The question must be asked if the NZ tourism ministry should be making decisions for NZ’s recreation campers and why was the recreation minister not involved? How do we unwind the harm that the new law brings? Left Auckland 34 days ago, halfway through my 73 days traveling the South Island. Now in Cromwell then Arrowtown on the weekend. Noticed that it’s getting colder. Now I appreciate my diesel heater. ©2023 Roland Jones 8 Degrees of harm 1 • Perpetuating NIMBYism and the wealth divide Ex-Minister Stuart Nash’s push for greater control over motor vehicle campers in NZ has been led from a tourism-centred point of view. In an attempt to raise the image of tourism in NZ, vehicle campers without onboard toilets, plus responsible campers with portable toilets, have been targeted, without evidence that freedom campers cause any more harm than other recreational users (MBIE 2022, DIA 2016). The Department of Internal Affairs found that media emphasis on ‘freedom campers’ distorted the public view and supported NIMBYism (not in my back yard). This legislation advances the myth that NZers travelling in campers with portable toilets or without onboard toilets are less responsible than those with permanently fitted toilets, even though there is no evidence to support this myth. The economic burden of this act widens the wealth divide leaving behind those using lower-cost campers such as compact campervans, trailer tents, pop-tops, tear-drops, roof-top tents, and older, smaller caravans, while intentionally favouring higher-end camping vehicles, to boost the tourism image, never mind the effect on New Zealanders: this is a tourism initiative that restricts New Zealand citizens. 2 • Mental Health Lake Monowai was quiet and still as if time itself had stopped. We walked some of the easier, pleasant, short paths through the mossy bush. Hug a tree and bring bug repellent. ©2022 Heather Auckram Thousands of NZ campers pack up their vehicle and hit the road, freedom camping on council reserves, for their rest and relaxation. This includes young families with trailer tents, roof top campers and older caravans as well those retired with a small campervan set up with a portable toilet. The changes brought in with this act mean thousands of NZ campers will no longer be able to participate in freedom camping on council controlled land. Thousands of NZers will miss out. The ‘green pill’ of spending mental health time by the sea, or the lake or in the forest, is now reserved for the wealthy but all age groups and income levels are affected by this act. Only those who have a vehicle that is certified as ‘self contained’ according to this new legislation can camp on council land, unless a council designates areas for non self-contained vehicle camping (and for those self-contained campers whose toilet is not screwed to the floor). 3 • Economic cost to consumers On the road in Aotearoa in this beauty. Dunedin to Auckland and back again. © 2022 Lisa Ambrose The cost to thousands of NZ vehicle campers with portable toilets is considerable. Many consumers will be unable to afford them. To continue to be certified, currently ‘certified self contained’ vehicles will be required to upgrade to a permanently fitted toilet. This applies primarily to smaller campervans and older caravans. Retro-fitting can require changes to the vehicle layout including bodywork, which will cost at least $600 and up to $2500. In some cases it won’t be possible and the owner will need to replace the vehicle at a cost of extra thousands of dollars. In addition to retrofit costs are the new fees. The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board will levy fees on both the certifier (for being a certifier) and the camper (for getting certified). These too are costs many consumers will not be able to afford. Then there are fines. Both freedom camping and, indeed, simply and legally parking, can now lead to fines starting at $400 and as high as $3000. A freedom camping vehicle of any kind, parked anywhere not actually designated for freedom camping (on the street, outside the laundromat or shop) could be considered to be “preparing to freedom camp”. 4 • Economic cost to businesses Rental vehicle operators that have vehicles with portable toilets are faced with either retrofitting their fleet or replacing vehicles. Rental vehicle operators will be required to do this before the 2024/2025 Summer season. Replacing 2000 smaller rental vehicles, at an estimated cost of $70,000 per imported vehicle, could cost the industry more than $140 million over the next 18 months, an inflationary activity at a time when inflation is already high. 5 • Social and economic cost on communities Many councils have received funding to assist with the transition to the required bylaw changes restricting freedom camping access. However the ongoing costs in managing the new regime will be passed on to ratepayers. As a national law with fines for ‘preparing to camp’ it is expected that there will be legal challenges that councils will have to fund. Car camping in Aparima. ©2022 Heather Auckram NZ families have traditionally had social licence to camp on council-controlled land around NZ which is now undermined by this new law which forces additional restrictions on families who enjoy low cost, vehicle-based camping. Parking on council land in a campervan or putting out your chairs for a lunch stop can now be considered preparing to camp and subject to a $400 fine. To “make preparations” to freedom camp, the legislation tells us, means to “park a motor vehicle to use it for freedom camping” (Section 20 2 (b)). It declines to tell either campers or the enforcement officers how they can tell if the vehicle is about to be used for freedom camping, presumably because it is not possible to read minds. 6 • Seasonal employment Thousands of seasonal workers traditionally come to NZ every summer and work in our hospitality and horticulture industries, many buying low cost vehicles to live in, due to the shortage of accommodation. The incentives for them to come and work in NZ and explore the country are now reduced. They might be young, active, energetic and contribute much to our economy, but the new act bars the low-cost, low-footprint vehicles that allow them to explore NZ. 7 • Environment The more people who travel with their own toilet the better for the environment, but the act removes the incentive for leisure campers and travellers with compact or older camping vehicles (e.g. poptops, teardrops and retro caravans) to carry one. The new act encourages, almost requires, the camping industry to move away from compact camping vehicles with a low environmental footprint to larger camping vehicles that use more resources to construct, considerably more fuel to operate and have the potential to cause greater damage to flora and fauna due to size and weight. The larger vehicles also take up more physical and visual space in the environment and at tourism hotspots. 8 • Emergency preparedness Ten hours into a power cut with this cyclone …. then I remembered I've got full batteries in Mavis! ©2023 Cheine Matheson In a country like NZ, being prepared for an emergency is encouraged — those with camping vehicles have an extra degree of preparedness, but this preparedness has been devalued by this legislation. When an emergency hits, those set up for a minimum of 3 days with water and waste facilities (including toilets of any kind) have the resources to quickly adapt and cope, with minimal support. Promoting self containment for vehicle camping with bring-your-own toilets is something that should be encouraged and not discouraged, if for no other reason. The 8th harm: this legislation discourages thousands of NZ campers from being self-contained, that is, able to contain their waste for 3 days in an emergency. Self containment changes in brief Where you can camp with which certificates Until Jun 6 2023 we called the ability to contain your waste for 3 days ‘self-containment.’ Now, its not just being able to contain waste, but also being able to afford an expensive toilet. Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 7

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Freedom camping at Bendigo, Lake Dunstan, Otago ©2024 Andrew Morton Where are we at? Freedom camping and self-containment Miriam Richardson At the government level The government has changed the regulations so that venting of toilet cassettes is no longer required. The Minister has so far not responded to submissions to extend the end of the transition period beyond June 2025, though the pressure to do so continues. There is still insufficient inspection capacity for currently self-contained vehicles to transition to a new green warrant by then. (All blue warrants become invalid for freedom camping at the end of the transition period; all freedom campers must have a green warrant at that point, currently Jun ’25.) At the council level Just over half of all councils have a current freedom camping bylaw. Councils are required to revise exisiting bylaws by June 2025. Many seem unaware of the need, urgency, or complexity of complying with the new law. As tourist numbers increase over summer, those without current bylaws will not be able to enforce many of the new freedom camping laws.There will likely be a rush to write and implement new bylaws — though rushing is not possible if they are to be done appropriately ( see p26 ). Make sure to have your say when your council asks. Councils are beginning to decide how to determine homelessness, which is not, by definition, ‘freedom camping’. The legislation doesn’t help them with this. Some councils use the lack of a self-containment warrant as proof of homelessness! At the certification level Training of inspectors continues with both NZ Lifestyle Camping and the NZMCA, the two biggest Certifying Authorities (CA). NZMCA is to begin issuing green warrants in October. There are still not enough inspectors to get everyone certified by June ’25. The PGDB, which oversees Certification Authorities, is beginning the process of working out how to do it. If you don’t want to freedom camp, you can prove your self-containment with an orange (NZ Lifestyle Camping) or yellow (NZMCA) warrant; or you can still get and use the old blue warrants, for a time at least. You only have to pay the $120 PGDB freedom camping levy for the green warrant. There are quite a few small CAs, and the problems of differing judgments on what is required for a green warrant is beginning to cloud the horizon. How inconsistencies get managed/resolved is an unknown. We campers Many people have gone ahead to get a green warrant, and can now “carry on camping”. Some renewed their blue warrant in time to maximise their transition time. Others were unaware of the blue warrant timetable and find themselves blocked from freedom camping until they upgrade to a green warrant. See above for which warrants are valid for what. if you need a warrant see p39 . There are new, smaller toilets and some brackets addressing the fixed-toilet requirement, with a range of prices, which is a relief to the many who are in the process of making or modifying their vehicles for freedom camping. (See pages 23 , 24 , 25 ). The lack of clarity or consistency across the country is going to be an ongoing challenge for those of us freedom camping. ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 2

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Q. What’s better than a gourmet snag ... ... on some fresh Turkish bread, with relish, cooked and eaten outdoors while freedom camping? Bette Cosgrove ©2024 Bette Cosgrove What’s better? Gourmet snag Bette Cosgrove Q. What’s better than a gourmet snag on some fresh Turkish bread, with relish, cooked and eaten outdoors while freedom camping? A. Two snags on Turkish, with onion relish, cooked and eaten outdoors, while freedom camping. ◼️ ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 4

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption A coiled power supply cord A coiled power supply cord Magnetic Field Around a Wire Whenever current travels through a conductor, a magnetic field is generated. ©2024 nationalmaglab.org don't do it The perils of a coiled power supply cord Arthur How It has come to my attention that some caravanners are connecting a 230 volt power supply, via a lead, that is “coiled on a reel”, which is not completely “uncoiled” from the cable drum. This is not good practice, as the cable, when supplying power to a caravan or any appliance, is carrying voltage & current, which will create a “magnetic field” around the cable conductors. When a cord or cable, is coiled on a drum, the magnetic field is stronger and more intensely concentrated, which in turn, can cause a “transformer effect” and load up the cables which then run at a higher temperature, stressing the insulation of the 230 volt supply cable to the motorhome/caravan (or appliance). Image and text: ©2024 nationalmaglab.org Magnetic Field Around a Wire Whenever current travels through a conductor, a magnetic field is generated. A magnetic field is created anytime current runs through a conductor. A fact famously stumbled upon by Hans Christian Ørsted around 1820. MORE: ckw.nz/magnetic-field Image and text: ©2024 nationalmaglab.org Completely unwind the cable from the cable drum when you plug it in to power to avoid this overloading, cable stress and it running at a higher temperature. Arthur How is a Registered Electrical Inspector and does EWOF inspections in Foxton, Manawatu. FIND YOUR LOCAL EWOF inspector. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 34

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Al Points Camping gathreing at Waihopai Community Centre and Reserve Our All Points Camping NZ park and camp was at the Waihopai Community Centre and Reserve, 16km away from the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival. ©2024 Marty Ireland Jet trail overhead. We had a large area to choose from. We had a large area to choose from, with the use of the small hall with lounge, kitchen, toilets and river-fed fresh water supply. ©2024 Marty Ireland. A mercy dash by Morgan Plumbing Friday saw the need for a mercy dash by the local plumbers (Morgan Plumbing) to effect running repairs on the toilets which was done with efficiency and much appreciated. ©2024 Marty Ireland Setup at Waihopai ©2024 Marty Ireland Setup at Waihopai ©2024 Marty Ireland Arriving at Waihopai. ©2024 Marty Ireland Setup at Waihopai ©2024 Marty Ireland Water supply ©2024 Marty Ireland. A private stretch of river. ©2024 Marty Ireland A private stretch of river. ©2024 Marty Ireland ©2024 Marty Ireland A private stretch of river. ©2024 Marty Ireland Nibbles Day visitors joined us to swim in the private swimming hole, enjoy pre-dinner drinks and nibbles and wide ranging discussions, as one does, along with some good laughs as we tried and tasted home-made spirits.©2024 Marty Ireland wine food waihopai pre dinner drinks and nibbles.jpg Day visitors joined us to swim in the private swimming hole, enjoy pre-dinner drinks and nibbles and wide ranging discussions, as one does, along with some good laughs as we tried and tasted home-made spirits.©2024 Marty Ireland drinks, nibbles, discussions, good laughs Waihopai camp and the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival Marty Ireland Marlborough’s iconic wine and food event was held at the Renwick Sports Domain in Blenheim in February, which living up to its reputation for sunny, fine weather. Previously held at the Brancott Vineyard, attendees felt the change of management and venue detracted, and the new payment system, that seemed to attract extra fees, took the joy out of the experience for many. Our All Points Camping NZ park and camp was at the Waihopai Community Centre and Reserve, 16km away, past the renowned Spy Base facility, now minus the two controversial cover domes. For $20 per van per night we had a large area to choose from, with the use of the small hall with lounge, kitchen, toilets and river-fed fresh water supply. Friday saw the need for a mercy dash by the local plumbers (Morgan Plumbing) to effect running repairs on the toilets which was done with efficiency and much appreciated. We were a small group from Blenheim and Christchurch, and day visitors joined us to swim in the private swimming hole, enjoy pre-dinner drinks and nibbles and wide ranging discussions, as one does, along with some good laughs as we tried and tasted home-made spirits. The weather was hot and sunny with a temperature drop-off in the morning and some strong wind one evening dropping some guy ropes on the awnings. One stunning feature was the stars visible over head at night time. A great weekend in a great place. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 36

1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption R&R at Orton Bradley Park ​ Just a little R&R Gary Hitchcock Just a little R&R at Orton Bradley Park. Great weather. Who would have thought I would need my sun hat this time of year? Not a breath of wind; 20 degrees. Orton Bradley Park is a great place. Autumn. Canterbury. Gary HItchock. Photos ©2022 Gary Hitchcock Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 12

5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mag-F-0923-CTKW.webp make the most of our camping opportunities, whatever they are Editorial Miriam Richardson For those of us camping in tents, or with vans, buses or motorhomes with fixed toilets, the recent law changes are having little immediate impact. Those with portable toilets, and those planning self-containment in their vehicle, are living through a long, slow time of uncertainty while they wait for clarity so they can choose how and whether to upgrade their setup and or pursue other camping options. Let’s encourage our councils to make space for campers of all stripes; they can do it if they have a will. As we enjoy Spring and get ready for the Summer it is time to make the most of our camping opportunities, whatever they are. Share what you know This issue we have featured Stop and Stay, a free listing of recommended places (p12). Add your recommendations for free camping spots, campgrounds, DOC sites or private places that allow people to stay. Those of you camping with dogs, let others know which places are great for you and your pets. Which places are great to take teenagers? toddlers? grandchildren? Where are the places where the fishing is good; or kyaking, cycling, or other pursuit? Love small towns This issue we feature Waiau, a tiny town in North Canterbury with a lot to offer (p23). What small towns have you visited that welcome campers? Let us all know: add their overnight spots to Stop and Stay. We want the small towns to welcome and love us: lets stay some nights, spend some dollars, add some value, explore and enjoy the place. And let’s leave the remote and beautiful places just as beautiful when we leave as when we arrive. Tiaki mai. Miriam Richardson Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 4

5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption The gates at Rotokare Bird Sanctuary. We came here, through the big gates, to this pest-free reserve and we discovered it was so much more than a parking spot. Lake Rotokare The fence protects the regenerating native bush, and a 17.8ha natural lake with extensive wetlands. The floating observation deck Toutouwai/North Island robin We had the opportunity to spot a variety of bird life including tūī, kereru, korimako/bellbirds, and a personal favourite —tīeke/saddlebacks. It’s own electric tripwire surveillance system Freedom inside the fence Fiona Thomson 12km from Eltham, in Southern Taranaki is where you can find the hidden gem of Rotokare Bird Sanctuary. Initially we were looking for a freedom park for the night, but following the recommendation of friends we came here, through the big gates, to this pest-free reserve and we discovered it was so much more than a parking spot. This stunning, 230ha, forested hill-country catchment is protected by an 8.2km pest-proof fence that circles the reserve perimeter. This fence is not like any garden fence: it has special features with it’s own electric tripwire surveillance system — which runs along the top of the fence. At close to 2m high, with its smooth rolled edges, this fence prevents climbing animals such as cats and possums from getting a grip to climb in. It’s constructed from a fine stainless steel mesh that is tight enough to stop small rodents from getting through. At the base, the foundations of the fence are anchored below ground level — creating a barrier to digging animals such as rabbits and hares. The fence protects the regenerating native bush, and a 17.8ha natural lake with extensive wetlands. Lake Rotokare There are several walking tracks that weave through the native bush that include tawa, rewarewa, and mahoe trees. The floating observation deck It took us 45 minutes to walk around the 4km lakeside track, providing us with the opportunity to spot a variety of bird life including tūī, kereru, korimako/bellbirds, and a personal favourite —tīeke/saddlebacks. The track was well constructed, and we even meet a family negotiating it with a pushchair. Toutouwai/North Island robin During the night, we could clearly hear the call of the ruru/morepork and — to our delight — kiwi. Rotokare offers public, night encounters (by prior arrangement) at a nominal fee from July to September. There is a selection of parking spots for motorhomes and self-contained vehicles, plus picnic tables and benches along the lake edge. There are public toilets including a wheelchair-accessible toilet and an information shelter. This is also a popular recreation area for boaties. Dogs are prohibited. The Sanctuary is free to enter and open 24/7. The instructions for drivers entering were clearly displayed with a simple traffic light system to guide vehicles entering and exiting. n Our camper exiting the vehicle gate system. Our camper exiting the vehicle gate system. Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 21

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Admiring the view at the Albert Town campground Mountains and the Clutha at Albert Town campground. Wanaka campground, view from my site. Glendhu Bay, lake front sites. Glendhu Bay campround Glendhu Bay campround Autumn colours and snow on the mountains Camping at Wanaka Miriam Richardson I have spent quite a bit of time in Wanaka as the season turned into Winter. A beautiful place for Autumn colours and snow on the mountains, yet surprisingly mild. Admiring the view at the Albert Town campground Albert Town is a basic campground 5km from Wanaka on either side of the road to Hawea. The Clutha side has flush toilets, water and rubbish while the other has just a long drop. Both are low cost. Pay at the eft-pos machines at the gate. The view from my site at the Wanaka campground The Wanaka Holiday Park is in town, walking distance to all that Wanaka offers. It has sites with marvellous views over the sports field to the mountains. Power, water, rubbish, playgrounds, facilities of most kinds, and the public dump station next door. Lake front sites at Glendhu Bay The Glendhu Bay camp is 11km from town, with lakeside sites, power, water, rubbish, 3(!) dump stations, a laundry, as well as great facilities, and a small shop. A pizzeria on site in summer. Over the road, free range eggs. There are winter long term rates. Another phot o | and another . | About the camps: ckw.nz/wanaka-camps Images ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 37

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Fix-a-Potty™ © 2024 Teresa Hall Ignore the bad press that still pops up on Facebook. Kiwi ingenuity & insults Miriam Richardson With the new regulations for self containment, Kiwi ingenuity has been handily exercised on a number of fronts. The Black Moa™ toilet has been designed and manufactured from scratch, the Australian Gotta Go toilet , with a choice of composting or chemical toilet cassette has been brought to NZ ( ckw.nz/gottago ), the Fix-a-Potty™ people have worked on a simple and clever way to fix existing portable toilets to the vehicle in a way that satisfies the regulations, and Fix’n’rail is due out in October. While the new toilet-makers have been welcomed with interest, the Fix-a-Potty™ people were faced with severe scepticism, not to say unfair condemnation, that still continues to pop up on Facebook and confuse people. To be clear: the mechanism has been thoroughly evaluated and it complies. The controversy arises out of very poorly written law and equally poorly written regulations, neither of which went through an appropriate evaluation process with campervan and motorhome professionals before being enacted/promulgated. The base of the matter, is that a toilet must remain fixed to the vehicle while the toilet cassette/holding tank is removed for emptying. The Black Moa™ toilet has a bottom box fixed to the floor that holds the toilet up while the cassette is removed. The Gotta Go opens at the top so cassettes can be removed while the toilet remains fixed. The Fix-a-Potty™ bracket and the Fix’n’Rail fixes the top of a previously portable toilet to the floor, in a way that allows the cassette to be removed from beneath it for emptying. Whew! We can celebrate having a choice of reasonably priced options for complying with a patently absurd law that defines the non-fixedness of toilets as a problem. ◼️ Images: Black Moa™ © 2024 mystenterprises.com Gotta Go © 2024 joolca.co.nz Fix-a-Potty™ © 2024 Teresa Hall Fix’n’Rail © 2024 mystenterprises.com Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 24

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Pipiriki Andrew Morton Eight days so far; 1300km in the car plus 216km on the mountain bike, and 45 days to go. I stopped at the church at Pipiriki on the Mountains to Sea cycle trail. Andrew Morton ©2023 Andrew Morton Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 11