4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up It was cold at Mavora Lakes Daniel Munro Up It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. I think the Mrs thought I was a bit crazy suggesting a night away in the van this time of year. But she went along with it. Mavora Lakes last night, it was cold. Minus 2ºC when I woke up this morning, and still plenty of snow around too. But a sack of firewood, extra blankets and hot water bottles meant we were very cozy in the little camper. Photos ©2023 Daniel Munro Up Up ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro 1/6 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption FIshing boat coming in I watched a fishing boat come in through the heads the other evening, a skein of gulls in attendance; then the dusk light on the harbour. Its a glorious spot.© 2023 M Richardson ckw.nz/ngati-toa Porirua Harbour Night view across Porirua Harbour Camping under the macrocarpas There is an area under macrocarpas were camping vehicles of all kinds (including long vehicles) can overnight for up to 3 nights. STOP and STAY Ngati Toa Domain:Stop and stay Miriam Richardson The loveliest freedom camping spot before the Cook Strait ferries is at Mana, between Porirua Harbour and State Highway 1. There are sports- and play-grounds and an area under macrocarpas were camping vehicles of all kinds (including long vehicles) can overnight for up to 3 nights. Sadly, tenting is not allowed and you must be self-contained. There is a public toilet. It is walking distance to the train, a supermarket and a pizza place. I watched a fishing boat come in through the heads the other evening, a skein of gulls in attendance; then the dusk light on the harbour. Its a glorious spot. ckw.nz/ngati-toa Check out our Stop and Stay listings for recommended places to stop and stay on your travels around the top of NZ. Only the best. www.stopandstay.org Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 33

12 Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption bring_H_cara-2264.webp GO TO Chilly chilly chilly out there A big challenge was the toilet. Bringing the caravan up to the new self-containment level Lance and Robyn Jones I have been working on our 17 foot caravan to bring it up to the new requirements for freedom camping. A big challenge was the toilet. We purchased a CHH toilet, all the accessories for it and the caravan compartment door for the cartridge removal. A local vehicle inspector with Lifestyle Camping (who happens to be a flatmate) was advising and when the problem of cutting the hole in the side of the caravan came up he had a look, the spot would have been the location of an upright support for the caravan and possibly supporting the window as well. We looked at options and came up with the idea of mounting the toilet on runners fixed to the floor. This allowed the toilet to be slid forward to access the cartridge without a hole in the body of the caravan. I obtained a pair of 500mm triple action runners from the local Bunnings store, we sat the toilet on a piece of plywood, marked and cut out a profile piece matching the toilet base and screwed the ply to the top of the runners, then fitted the toilet onto the ply and the runners in place on the floor, we had to locate the runners 50mm from the wall to give the required space to access/remove the cartridge with ease. I built a cabinet around the toilet and this folds back against the wall exposing the toilet when required and when closed, serves as either a table or a seat. We had to cut down the sofa to allow room for the toilet. The squab was also cut down and the cover resized; also the back board was altered. The setup works perfectly and the self-containment standard was achieved without compromising the side of the caravan. 🏕️ Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 21

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing tell-tale signs of a kea attack Kea attack Tony Kissel Setting up my tent this weekend I noticed about a dozen little holes in the roof. Then I remembered the last time I was up this way I was visited by a kea, on closer inspection there were the tell-tail signs of a kea attack. Fortunately I had a tiny amount of fabric glue in an Exped air mattress repair kit which was enough to fill the holes until a proper repair can be made. ◊ ©2024 Tony Kissell Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 17

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption 11-CKW-cover-24-Hero.webp Camping the Kiwi Way, Autumn 2025 In this issue Freedom camping: need to know 2025 : Things have changed, how does it affect you? Here and there last Summer : Your stories and photos. Choosing your next camping vehicle is not always easy : we chose to go Kiwi-built. Re-building my Toyota van part 2 : I became aware of some shortcomings in my van design… Loading a caravan safely : a heavy load at the rear balanced by a similar load at the front is virtually a recipe for jack-knifing. A camp oven is much more than just a pot You can use them for a multitude of cooking purposes. Table of contents Editorial Come camping Stop and Stay Contribute About Cover image: Camp ovens ©2025 Graham Leslie More About Camping the Kiwi Way We hope this magazine will unite the many different camping groups we have in NZ to create a unified voice and energy for sustainable camping for current and future generations of New Zealanders. ISSN: 2815-8261 (Print)ISSN: 2815-827X (Online) ©2025 All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc Editor: Miriam Richardson editor@campingthekiwiway.org | campingthekiwiway.org Published quarterly by All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc &NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd Order or subscribe Printed copies including postage:$44 for a year (4 issues)$13.50 for a single copy editor@campingthekiwiway.org Read it here online, get a PDF campingthekiwiway.org/issues-camping-the-kiwi-way Or subscribe for a printed copy campingthekiwiway.org/buy-or-subscribe Advertising editor@campingthekiwiway.org For sizes and prices see ckw.nz/advertising Share your stories If your group or club is promoting NZers enjoying our great outdoors, we would like to share your stories. • Tenting, caravanning, motorhoming, van camping, bike camping, hiking and more. • Camping photos and stories. • Club stories and photos. • Upcoming events that include camping. • Opinion pieces on camping issues. Photos 1mb or more in size. Email words and (separate) images: editor@campingthekiwiway.org Contributions close Feb 1 for the Autumn issue May 1 for the Winter issue Aug 1 for the Spring issue Nov 1 for the Summer issue But, for late-breaking articles talk to the editor. Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 1

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Pippa in the hammock Bette Cosgrove Pippa in the hammock. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 28

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption this article explains all Safe toilet chemicals Collyn Rivers Safe toilet chemicals are essential, but some toilet chemicals kill essential bacteria in septic and environmental systems: some are toxic — this article explains all. To safely dispose of toilet waste is a major problem for caravan and motorhome owners who free camp. Safe toilet chemicals are essential as faecal matter endangers humans. Many toilet chemicals, however, contain non-biodegradable content. Worse, they kill essentially needed bacteria in ‘long drop’ and septic systems. Safe toilet chemicals So-called bio-stimulant products are environmentally friendly. Adding oxidising agents (or enzymes), speeds up nature’s breakdown of faecal matter. It also reduces smells. You can empty safely treated sewage into septic and sewage treatment plants, but not some so-called environmental systems. Environmentally safe toilet chemicals are oxygen-loving bio-stimulants — such as live bacteria and yeasts. Known-to-be-safe toilet chemicals include Bio-Pack, Odour-B-Gone, Aqua Kem Green and Aqua Kem Rinse (but not necessarily related products), and BioMagic. Their makers claim Envir-Chem, Reliance Bio-Blue, Century Blue Clean N Fresh, and Chempace bioFORCE to be safe. Biocides kill all bacteria Biocides kill all bacteria — good or bad. If you treat toilet waste this way it becomes allergenic: some people claim it possibly triggers cancer. Adding a further chemical reduces the stench of sewage broken down non-aerobically. The industry claims that sewage so-treated is disposable in sewage treatment plants. Biocidic chemicals, however, kill bacteria indiscriminately. This causes many that rely on septic tanks to have a concern about their facilities. Never use formaldehyde The major risk to the ecology is formaldehyde. The US Department of Toxic Substances Control states: ‘Chemical toilet additives include chemicals that are known to cause septic tank failures by killing the bacteria essential to the treatment process in the septic tank. Formaldehyde can thus cause these to die in holding tanks as it controls odour by killing bacteria. When a septic system fails, sewage waste does not break down. It can cause an increased risk to people in contact with raw sewage.’ The Department also warns against de-deodorisers such as Bronopol, Dowicil and Glutaraldehyde. Check the declared content of any product. One, promoted as ‘environmentally safe’, has the (obligatory) Material Safety Data Sheet stating it contains Bronopol. Chemtech’s Portasol claims to be environmentally friendly, but its data-sheet states it contains 10 g/L Glutaraldehyde. Be wary of home-made chemicals. Most contain bleach or Pine-O-Clean. Such material is cheap and effective, however, it kills essentially-needed bacteria. This is not a problem if the waste is disposed of in town sewerage systems. Do not, however, empty it into environmental or septic systems. Is Napisan a safe toilet chemical? Many RV owners suggest using Napisan (or similar) products. Napisan and its many look-alikes contain sodium percarbonate. This, in water, breaks down to soda ash and hydrogen peroxide. An additive makes the faecal matter smell less bad. This works well from an RV user viewpoint but content information, however, is hard to obtain for look-alikes. These may include chemicals that are poison to marine life. Some makers warn they are not safe to use in septic and similar systems. Some such products claim to be bio-degradable to Australian Standard 4351. But that Standard relates only to ‘surfactants’ — a detergent ‘wetting’ effect. It is thus not relevant. These products are cheap. They are, however, only border-line effective in breaking down faecal matter and reducing smells. Using them may damage the environment. Napisan — a professional view Emeritus Professor Ian Jenkins (previously Professor of Chemistry at Griffith University) has kindly provided an independent professional opinion on safe toilet chemicals. The authoritative article explains the active ingredient (in Napisan and associated products) that does the job is sodium percarbonate. It contains from 25%–35%. You can buy sodium carbonate (100%) in bulk. Brewing supply companies sell it for about $5.50 a kilo. Emeritus Professor Jenkins explains how to use it. Use only safe toilet chemicals You can safely use proven bio-friendly toilet chemicals to treat sewage for city sewage treatment plants. But if you travel a lot, be 100% certain the chemicals are bio-friendly. If not you can ruin costly septic systems. n Reproduced with permission, rvbooks.com Napisan article: ckw.nz/napisan You can buy sodium percarbonate from Binn Inn and on TradeMe. Editor Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 30

1 Spring 2022 1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Onaero Bay Holiday Park FRI, 16 Sept: Onaero Onaero Bay Spring Club Camp North of Taranaki on the west coast, Onaero Bay Holiday Park is a great place for a Spring camp. RSVP. Kaitoke FRI, 30 sept: Kaitoke Kaitoke All Points Camp (Upper Hutt) Join our Wellington area hosts for a relaxing scenic camp at Kaitoke Regional Park. All campers are welcome. Powered sites are limited (6). Note: Due to poison currently no dogs (subject to change). RSVP. CircusPunk: Thames NOV22 FRI, 11 nov: Thames Thames Steampunk Camp A weekend camp at Thames South School for the Thames 2022 Circus Punk weekend. Come as you are or dress up for a fantastic weekend. Yes, you can bring your tent; bring the family. (See page 25.) 
More: ckw.nz/steampunk ckw.nz/steampunk-thames Battle Hill Dec '22 FRI, 02 dec: Pāuatahanui Battle Hill (Wgtn) A Club camp — guests welcome but registrations required. Battle Hill is a historic site within a short distance of Porirua and nestled under Transmission Gully. Feed the eels, enjoy a farmland nature walk. Campfires yes but dogs no as its a working farm. Families with tents welcome. 
More: ckw.nz/battle-hill Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 MAR 31 2023: Kimbolton Camping, 2023 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival Join us for an amazing weekend camping at the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival. The Festival day is Saturday 1 April. All campers — tents, trailer campers, teardrops, caravans, motorhomes welcome. (See page 30.) More: ckw.nz/kimbolton Campfest Mar 2023 MAR 17 – 19 2023: CAMP FEST Bulls Domain, Rangitikei A weekend of camping, craft and trade stalls, workshops and entertainment. Tents, campervans, caravans, trailer campers, housetrucks and more. More: route54.org/campfest | fun@route54.org Near Reporoa, Taupo THU, 29 dec: Reporoa New Year Camp Taupo — All Points Camping Club 7th Birthday Let’s make it an extra special Happy New Year camp. It’s our club’s 7th Birthday and we are just itching to have fun. Club members and guests are welcome to join us. Photo: nearby Reporoa gorge. Events Editor FRI, 16 Sept: Onaero Onaero Bay Spring Club Camp North of Taranaki on the west coast, Onaero Bay Holiday Park is a great place for a Spring camp. RSVP. More: ckw.nz/onaero FRI, 30 Sept: Kaitoke Kaitoke All Points Camp (Upper Hutt) Join our Wellington area hosts for a relaxing scenic camp at Kaitoke Regional Park. All campers are welcome. Powered sites are limited (6). Note: Due to poison currently no dogs (subject to change). RSVP.
 More FRI, 11 Nov: Thames Thames Steampunk Camp A weekend camp at Thames South School for the Thames 2022 Circus Punk weekend. Come as you are or dress up for a fantastic weekend. Yes, you can bring your tent; bring the family. (See page 25.) 
More FRI, 02 Dec: Pāuatahanui Battle Hill (Wgtn) A Club camp — guests welcome but registrations required. Battle Hill is a historic site within a short distance of Porirua and nestled under Transmission Gully. Feed the eels, enjoy a farmland nature walk. Campfires yes but dogs no as its a working farm. Families with tents welcome. 
More: ckw.nz/battle-hill THU, 29 Dec: Reporoa New Year Camp Taupo — All Points Camping Club 7th Birthday Let’s make it an extra special Happy New Year camp. It’s our club’s 7th Birthday and we are just itching to have fun. Club members and guests are welcome to join us. Please register. More: ckw.nz/new-year 2023 MAR 17 – 19 2023: CAMP FEST Bulls Domain, Rangitikei A weekend of camping, craft and trade stalls, workshops and entertainment. Tents, campervans, caravans, trailer campers, housetrucks and more. More: route54.org/campfest | fun@route54.org MAR 31 2023: Kimbolton Camping 2023 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival Join us for an amazing weekend camping at the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival. The Festival day is Saturday 1 April. All campers — tents, trailer campers, teardrops, caravans, motorhomes welcome. (See page 30.) More: All Points Camping | Festival LIST YOUR EVENT? Any event with a camping component can list here free. 
Country fairs, music festivals &c, if they cater for campers. Photos 1mb minimum. Get the details in by 1 NOV for the Summer/December issue. Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 31

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Along a sandy beach Heather Auckram I rode on a trailer being towed along a long sandy beach. I squashed a few sandflies and went to bed blissfully happy each night. Heather Auckram Catlins, Southland. Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 46

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Whitebaiting. Rakaia River Mouth ©2024 David Liddel Whitebaiting. Rakaia River Mouth ©2024 David Liddel Whitebaiting David Liddall Whitebaiting. Rakaia River Mouth ©2024 David Liddel Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 16

5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Seasoned campers do all these things naturally... Thinking about your overnight park Keith Rowland Queen’s Park, Hunterville, parked on the main gravel hard standing, facing outwards, the area directly in front is quite low and was quite boggy with standing water puddles, and the grass behind the trailer was a bit dicey too. Timona Park, Feilding, wet weekend of localised area flooding; hard standing parking was fine, but its not much of a river rise and the park gets flooded, even with the kind of stop bank formed by the garden features on the right of this image. Paekakariki Holiday Park, its was hot between the shelter belts of planting, parking had to be worked within the space given, of course, and being a powered site meant no issues with running out of power… Bartletts Ford, Manawatu — Jan 2022 Bartletts Ford — Jan 2023 river approx 500mm from top of bank… and it was still raining hard up in the headwaters. Bartletts Ford — January 2023 some of the low spots had standing water; others, the grass hid the water quite well (until stepped in). Norsewood after a 2am wind storm that came through and destroyed 8 gazebos, damaged a further 6 and scared a couple of people who had never experienced wind under canvas before. • Do you park your camper facing outwards? (Quick evac if needed.) Or just how you feel? • Do you park close to the riverbank? • Do you park near the gate? • Do you consider any fire risk? Is there a 3m space between you and the neighbour in case of fire or emergency access? Or do you just crowd in? • Do you suss out the vibe before even getting out? • Do you think about emergency evac (or getting emergency help) if the gates are locked? • Do you love parking under trees? (Has pros and cons, pros: shade during hot days & degree of shelter during winter, somewhere to have a nice hammock set up… Cons: blocks solar panels, debris falling on van and solar panels, tree damage during storms or even snowfall if you’re winter camping.) • Do you have a look at the grounds and see if anywhere is abnormally lower than others with arisk of flooding? • Or do you chuck it all in the wind and leave it to fate? For seasoned campers these may sound a little ridiculous but I can assure you, you do all these things naturally… Oh, and crime risk doesn’t really come into this discussion; crime can happen everywhere and anywhere, just trust your gut instincts and leave if your gut-feel changes… Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 20

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Halfway through my 73 days traveling Roland Jones 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 Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 8