10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing How small are we in this world? Butchers Dam aurora Shellie Evans How small are we in this world? Not us but another caravanner oblivious to the skies above. It started out well, clear calm skies but then cloud rolled in and teased, with it’s thin layer & tendrils just reaching into the aurora. Butchers Dam, Alexandra, Aurora Australis, 11/10/24 10.05pm. ◊ ©2024 Shellie Evans Photography ckw.nz/shellie-fb Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 11

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Kārearea / NZ Falcon chick with down feathers Image: Kārearea / NZ Falcon chick with down feathers, © DOC finding creative ways to enjoy nature DOC update DOC Above image: Kārearea / NZ Falcon chick with down feathers, DOC Clear water in Nelson Lakes. ©2024 Miriam Richardson Clean your gear DOC call to help prevent the spread of invasive algae to lakes and rivers. People heading into Nelson Lakes National Park this summer are being asked to clean their gear at new cleaning stations to prevent invasive algae being spread to the park’s pristine alpine lakes and rivers. ckw.nz/invasive Coastal forest on the Nikau Loop Track , Andrej Ricnik | Creative Commons Works underway to reopen Morere Hot Pools Reopening Morere Hot Pools (Hawke’s Bay) has begun on major remedial and infrastructure works at the pools. They hope to open in April or May 2024. ckw.nz/morere George Ledgard, DOC More than 10,000 wild goats removed in anational competition DOC, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and Hunting & Fishing NZ are thrilled by strong support for the National Wild Goat Hunting Competition. ckw.nz/goats | Image: George Ledgard, DOC Karamea, © 2024 Andrew Morton Nature as therapy is the focus of a new guide A new free guide to help improve well-being by connecting with nature for therapy is available in Tairāwhiti, Gisborne. Ways to Wellness Tairāwhiti: He Te Ara Taiao ki te Ora Tairawhiti was originally developed using the ‘Healthy Nature Healthy People’ programme, which ran until 2021, encouraging us to connect with nature to improve their health and wellbeing. ckw.nz/nature-therapy | Drift Bay, Queenstown, DOC DOC report shows short adventures trending for travellers Short walks and leisurely activities like sightseeing, photography, and bird and wildlife watching were the most popular outdoor activities for kiwi and international visitors, according to DOC’s annual visitor in. sights report. “It is really encouraging to see people are still finding creative ways to enjoy nature, by switching to different areas and exploring different activities such as short walks and cultural heritage sites.” ckw.nz/most-popular The waharoa © 2024 Andrew Morton Ōparara Basin waharoa unveiled A waharoa (gateway) marking the entry to a viewpoint of the Ōparara Basin north of Karamea was unveiled in November ‘23 signalling the completion of a major upgrade to visitor facilities. Ōparara, in Kahurangi National Park, is known for its spectacular limestone formations, including incredible arches and the Honeycomb Caves. A summer to remember p15. The new viewpoint provides a spectacular view of the basin and includes interpretation for visitors such as a stone diorama explaining the geological formation of the area. ckw.nz/unveiled The new viewpoint provides a spectacular view of the basin and includes interpretation for visitors such as a stone diorama explaining the geological formation of the area.© 2024 Andrew Morton Image: Giverny Forbes / DOC A sea lion/pakake mum swam 60 kilometres inland Unusually, a sea lion/pakake mum swam 60 km inland to find her preferred spot to give birth. People are reminded to keep their distance from all marine mammals. ckw.nz/sea-lion Image: DOC video Checking a week-old Albatross chick, Tairoa Heads Rangers doing their daily check of the week-old nestling at the Royal Cam nesting site. The chick is at a good and healthy weight! 1/2/24. ckw.nz/albatross-cam Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 33

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Alice cooking dinner on the BBQ Alice cooking dinner on the BBQ at Ohiwa. Read more about accessible camping Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 38

1 Spring 2022 Roady: The new App on the block Up Roady The Roady App gives you access to local travel knowledge and makes it easy to plan epic New Zealand trips. Discover NZ’s best things to do, create bucket lists and tick off experiences as you travel the country. PHOTO: ©2022 Roady Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Create your bucket lists and tick them off. The Roady App The Roady App 1/1

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Word search solution Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 44

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Teresa Hall THe Fix-a-Potty™️ installed ©2024 Teresa Hall THe Fix-a-Potty™️ showing how the lower cassette can be removed. ©2024 Teresa Hall Showing how the Fix-a-Potty™️ works ©2024 Teresa Hall Fix-a-Potty™️ installed ©2024 Teresa Hall The Fix-a-Potty™️ bracket ©2024 Teresa Hall It was disheartening to see everyone discarding their small portable toilets. Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™ Teresa Hall I’m a Kiwi with a small family, and have a deep passion for exploring New Zealand. My interest in the NZ campervan community has grown significantly over the past year and a half. After purchasing a campervan for our travels, I quickly realised how expensive it was to maintain, so I began renting it out to offset the costs. The success of that venture led me to purchase a second campervan, allowing us to use our one more frequently. When I needed to get my campers self-contained, I found it incredibly challenging to find accurate information on the process. Determined to understand it fully, I educated myself around self-containment. As my knowledge grew, I noticed how many others were struggling with the same issues, so I decided to create a website — a one-stop resource for all the information people need. Then, when the regulations changed, I saw people with small campers equipped with oversized toilets because the only fixed options on the market had capacities for four or more people. It was also disheartening to see everyone discarding their small portable toilets, which felt like an environmental disaster. That’s when Fix-a-Potty™ was born! Throughout this journey, I’ve learned a lot about creating and selling products. It’s not as straightforward as it seems. From building a website, setting up e-commerce, and handling accounting; to dealing with pricing, approval, patenting, trademarking, copywriting, packaging, logistics, production, design, marketing, and customer correspondence… The list is endless. My respect for anyone who sells products has grown immensely. In short, I designed Fix-a-Potty™ for the campervan community to provide more affordable and compact toilet options, with the intention of helping everyone continue to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer. We are New Zealand owned and operated and all our products are made here in Aotearoa by awesome New Zealanders. And you know what! If I spot one of my brackets in your campers I will be really chuffed. ◼️ Website: more details or to buy: fixapotty.co.nz Facebook: ckw.nz/fb-fixapotty Images ©2024 Teresa Hall Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 23

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Q’town makes us welcome This is the summer to visit Queenstown Miriam Richardson There are parking bylaws and nationwide reserve laws that continue to affect freedom camping in Queenstown this summer, but the years-long prohibitive bans are gone from Queenstown Lakes District. The national law requiring freedom campers to be validly certified as self-contained still applies. After a lengthy legal battle Queenstown’s freedom camping bylaw has been judged invalid. “In the latest decision Justice Osborne, in the High Court in Invercargill, has declared QLDC’s decision to adopt its 2021 bylaw was invalid due to the unlawful influence and consideration of irrelevant matters, namely the economic impact on commercial campgrounds and the effects on private property values/amenity.” (NZMCA) The law states that freedom camping is “permitted in any local authority area”, though bylaws can restrict or prohibit freedom camping, they can only do so for specific purposes at specific places in response to a problem. “11 (2) A local authority may make a bylaw under subsection (1) only if it is satisfied that— (a) the bylaw is necessary for 1 or more of the following purposes: (i) to protect the area: (ii) to protect the health and safety of people who may visit the area: (iii) to protect access to the area; and (b) the bylaw is the most appropriate and proportionate way of addressing the perceived problem in relation to that area; and (c) the bylaw is not inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.” Freedom Camping Act 2011, 11 Restricting freedom camping also has to be “proportionate” to the problem, and “the most appropriate way” to address the problem. And, “for the avoidance of doubt” the law says: “12 Bylaws must not absolutely prohibit freedom camping (1) A local authority may not make bylaws under section 11 that have the effect of prohibiting freedom camping in all the local authority areas in its district.” Freedom Camping Act 2011, 12 The council has not yet decided if it will appeal the decision. The decision means there are legal costs it will need to meet for the challenger, NZMCA, and more costs if it appeals and loses yet again. It is also unclear as yet if the council will be obliged to refund any fines imposed under their invalid bylaw. The council maintains it was a valid bylaw right up until the moment the High Court said it wasn’t valid. In spite of two legal battles about freedom camping, the QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen strangely, still, seems to be unacquainted with the law. He still seems to believe that a general ban with a very few exceptions is legally acceptable. In the council response (24/9/24) to the court ruling: he says: “The Freedom Camping Act permits freedom camping on some public land, unless restricted or prohibited by a bylaw.” [emphasis mine] Accessed 29/10/24 ckw.nz/queenstown-response the law says: “Freedom camping is permitted in any local authority area, unless it is restricted or prohibited…” [emphasis mine] Freedom Camping Act 2011 10 (1). If the council doesn’t take the time and effort to actually look at the law itself (rather than the bits that have been fought and lost in court), it may be heading for a new round of expensive legal battles. It has begun the process of creating a new bylaw for 2025, which cannot be done before the summer is over. So in the meantime, this is the summer to explore the Queenstown Lakes district without the worry of their bounty-hunter-enforcers. ◊ “We warmly welcome responsible campers to our district” says the Queenstown chief executive and here I am at one of their very few freedom camping spots, Red Bridge, 81km from Q’town, on a busy corner of SH8a. 81km! (Above, from Google Street View. Below through my windscreen.) A fine scenic view of road signs, with free road entertainment as the trucks grind up the hill from the sharp corner. Not what I would call a ‘warm welcome’. 81km! Images ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 14

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Lake Pukaki September 2024 ©2024 M Richardson Lake Pukaki September 2024 ©2024 M Richardson I just can't get enough Lake Pukaki Miriam Richardson Lake Pukaki, freedom camping in Winter: I cant get enough of this place. Any season. ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 24

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Lorraine Middleton Lorraine Middleton It all happened quickly and all I can say is thank goodness for roadside assistance… Cautionary tyre tale Lorraine Middleton I own a 1960 Pop Top, these tyres looked to be in good condition, no cracks etc, passed WOF at VTNZ no problem. Passing over a bit of road where the rumble strip had been removed but not filled in, my tyre got stuck in the rut and shredded. I had been warned about this bit of road but the rut had to be passed over. It all happened quite quickly and all I can say is thank goodness for roadside assistance as my son didn’t think it was safe to use the car jack on the poptop. I have since learnt from my tyre man: That tyres should be under 15 years of age and should have a date printed on them or you can google the serial number. (if you can’t find any information on the age of your tyres they are probably too old and only suitable as a spare). Tyres with tubes can pop and deflate quicker than modern tubeless tyres. Nitrogen in tyres helps stop them overheating and are less likely to have slow leaks (the gas is denser than air). I ended up replacing tyres and rims as it wasn’t that much more expensive than buying just tyres and tubes for the old rims. They are ones made for large jetski trailer and work well and don’t look out of place and we did have a nice roadside picnic while waiting for the AA. ◼️ Editor: My tyre man offers a more conservative story. Seven years max (or 70,000km). If you remove the tyre from the rim and inspect the insides, you can discover if it can go on longer, he told me. Collyn Rivers on p20 suggests 7–10 years. Photos: ©2024 Lorraine Middleton Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 16

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption fridge-portable_mw.webp fridge-compressor_mw.webp fridge-3way-back_mw.webp fridge-4_th.webp fridge-tall_mw.webp fridge-4_mw.webp RV Fridge Basics Collyn Rivers Most fridges are essentially pumps. They move heat from where it is not wanted to where it does not matter. All work like this. They differ in how they do it — and also how well they do it. They also differ in their ability to cool in hot weather. The major differences in how well they work are largely due to how well they are installed. This article covers the basics. Absorption fridges (three-way) These (in RVs) are powered by the alternator whilst driving and the RV’s auxiliary battery for roadside stops. They are intended to run on grid power or LP gas at all other times. When running on LP gas an 8.5 litres cylinder typically lasts three weeks. It is not feasible to run them only from solar or battery power. RV fridge basics are such that to cool satisfactorily, three-way fridges must be installed correctly. Far from all are, resulting in poor performance. As a result, they have an undeservedly poor reputation amongst RV owners. If installed properly three-way fridges work well away from grid power. They cannot, however, rapidly freeze fresh fish. Three-way fridges cool via a liquid that has a very low boiling point. This liquid is heated until it vaporises (boils). The vapour then flows into an evaporator inside the fridge, absorbing unwanted heat. That heat is then dissipated externally. Compressor fridges These are now by far the most commonly used in RVs. They work by compressing a gaseous refrigerant into a smaller and liquid volume. This forces the gas’s molecules closer together — thereby heating them. If then allowed to expand, the (heat) energy its molecules contain is now within a larger volume of space, so the gas becomes cooler and absorbs heat from the refrigerator’s contents. That heat is then released, via external cooling fins, to where it does not matter. From thereon the Second Law of Thermodynamics ensures that things of different temperatures tend to equalise in temperature. Most fridges intended for rvs use 12/24 volt motor-driven compressors but almost all run optionally on 230 volts AC. They are thermally and electrically efficient — particularly the top of the range units made from 2018 onward (that have variable-speed compressors). These fridges run well from solar. Compressor fridge energy usage Until 2014 or so, most compressor fridges ran constantly until they reached their preset temperature. A thermostat then cut the power. The power was restored when the internal temperature rose a degree or two above the set level. In ambient temperatures of 25C or so they typically ran in a 40:60 on/off ratio. This ratio varied as the contents cooled, but could be continuous in very hot areas. Fridge vendors usually quote their product’s steady-state energy draw. A fridge’s daily draw, however, substantially relates to how long the fridge cycles on — as opposed to off. A fridge that draws 1.25 amps but cycles on for a total of 16 hours a day thus uses 20 Ah/day. Another fridge that draws 1.5 amps but cycles on for 12 hours a day, uses only 18 Ah/day. So consider only a fridge’s daily draw . Compressor fridge: energy draw At 27.5 º C ambient, and set to 4 º C, most efficient compressor fridges of 40–80 litre draw about 0.7 Ah/day per litre. This progressively falls — to about 0.5 Ah/litre/day for fridges over 150 litres or so. Compressor fridges that have variable speed motors (they run constantly, adjusting speed as needed) use about 25% less energy. Fridge-freezers, with the freezer at -14 º C to -8 º C, draw only marginally more once their content is frozen. This is because their insulation is thicker. RV fridge basics As with fridges generally, RV fridge basics dictate they increase their draw by about 5% per every 10 º C higher in ambient temperature and by the same amount if set colder. Energy usage varies slightly from brand to brand — with the variable speed units generally more efficient. Installation, ambient and set temperatures and usage all affect consumption. If freezing is not required, energy is saved by using a chest freezer (providing it can be set to +4 º C). Not all can. Many RV users prefer an electric fridge if travelling extensively and spending only a day or two at powered sites. Given space for solar modules, an energy-efficient 12-volt fridge can be used successfully for extended periods away from grid power. However, a fuel cell or a generator is advisable for energy back-up during periods of little sun. Or hook up your RV to the tow vehicle and go for a long drive. Top- versus front-opening fridges Top-opening refrigerators are marginally more efficient than door-opening units. This is because cold air is retained when opened. That lost from door opening units can be minimised by using plastic drawers to block that cold airflow. One minor drawback of top opening fridges is that water vapour condenses in the bottom of the chest and needs removing every week or so. A curiosity of RV fridge basics is that most-needed items migrate to the least accessible area. Portable fridges Many RV owners would like to have a second fridge inside their tow vehicle. This is handy when shopping (although an Esky filled with ice works just as well for short distances). Consider having a 40–60 litre compressor fridge in the tow vehicle. You can power that fridge by about 200 watts or so of solar on the tow vehicle’s roof, charging a 100 amp hour AGM or lithium battery. This enables you to run the fridge constantly from solar alone. This is not feasible if your roof carries a boat up there — but that is never a good idea anyway. If tow vehicle rooftop solar is not used, the tow vehicle fridge will need to be run from a second battery in the tow vehicle. Or have one fridge that is electric and the other fridge LP gas. RV fridge standards There are no local performance standards for RV fridges. European-designed three-way fridges, however, must meet EU Standards that include ‘Climate Classes.’ These define the ambient temperature at which the fridge must deliver its claimed performance. Climate Class: ● SN (sub-normal) is from 14 º C to 32 º C, ● N (normal) from 18 º C to 32 º C, ● ST (sub-tropical) from 18 º C to 36 º C , ● T (tropical) from 18 º C to 43 º C. Regardless of brand, Climate Class ‘T’ fridges can only be positively identified by the letter T following the ‘Climate Class’ box on their compliance/rating plate. RV Books believes the ST (but preferably the more costly T) units are the only three-way fridges suitable for travelling in the hotter parts of Australia and the northern island of New Zealand. RV fridge summary An RV fridge of 80–100 litres is likely to be ample for most RV users. Freeze-dried food is equally edible, and storable at ambient temperature. Fridge energy draw depends mostly on how well the fridge is installed and used. A correctly installed RV fridge may draw half the current of an incorrectly installed one and cool far better in hot climates. Do not overfill RV fridges (and make sure nothing can break in transit). Avoid putting in hot items. Set the internal temperature no colder than the recommended +4º C (fridge) and -14º C to -18º C (freezer). Reduce fridge power consumption by cooling them in your home fridge before a trip. If your RV has a fridge-freezer, conserve energy by overnight de-thawing any food needed the following day. Next issue: Make caravan fridges work as claimed Reproduced with permission.rvbooks.com.au . Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 18

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Now is the time to voice any concerns or issues your council has with this bill. Implications for councils of the proposed ‘Nash bill Bette Cosgrove Implications for councils of the proposed ‘Nash bill’ Here are the issues to consider with the major legislative change which is currently proposed and going through Select Committee hearings.This far-reaching piece of national legislation affects freedom camping areas all across New Zealand, whether they have current bylaws in place or not. It will affect all people who wish to use your public spaces, and the NZTA land which falls within your area. Local government will be required to enforce this legislation. See the bill here: ckw.nz/nash-bill Minister Nash is pushing for this bill to be in place prior to the Women’s FIFA World Cup, which may bring an influx of international tourists to your regions. Minister Nash hopes to have the bill passed by March 2023. The bill is definitely going to require your attention whether you have experienced issues with freedom camping in your area or not, and soon. We see many problems in this ‘omnibus law’ which changes 4 Acts of Parliament and makes 65 amendments to the current Freedom Camping Act. Consider the questions we raise below. Listen to the oral submissions to get a sense of how the changes will affect your area, your community and the travelling public: ckw.nz/oral-submissions. There are important questions to consider, if the bill passes Keep in mind that you may be required by the new law (if it passes) to have management systems, appropriate bylaws, and enforcement capabilities in place by March of 2023. When will your new councillors discuss the implications for your local council land as well as the NZTA land in your area? Your district's NZTA land will be included under the new Act. Have you approached NZTA to discuss collaboration with them over monitoring their land to enforce the new bill? This bill redefines what a self-contained vehicle is, so that it must include a fixed toilet rather than a portable one; how does your council currently define self-contained vehicles? Do you have the time and resources allocated to review, consult and prepare appropriate freedom camping bylaws and have these in place in time? Did you meet the deadline (3 Oct) for Transitional Funding applications to provide the resource and funds to review or create the necessary bylaws? Do your bylaws enable non-self-contained freedom camp sites, wherever there are toilet facilities, to accommodate the possibly thousands of willing freedom campers who will no longer be able to stay at self-containment-required sites unless they are able (and can afford) to change their non-fixed toilets to the fixed kind? Do you currently have freedom camping bylaws to match this major amendment in the Freedom Camping Act, or can you review and send out appropriate public consultation information immediately to amend your current ones, so that this new law can be implemented in your district? Do you use contractors to ensure campers are self-contained in all restricted sites? Will they be given adequate tutorial and information on how to apply the new law? Does your local community of motor vehicle camper owners have adequate access to re-certify their vehicles to meet the proposed new standards? How do you ensure enforcement officers are safe, and also ensure the privacy and safety of the campers? Do they monitor at reasonable hours of the day? Are they allowed to shine torches into people’s bedrooms at night? Did you realise that tent-stayers are not covered by this bill? Do you have tent-camping sites allocated for freedom camping? Do you have a clear complaints policy for freedom campers who might receive incorrect infringement notices during the transition period while new bylaws are being created? Now is the time to voice any concerns or issues your council has with this bill.Talk to Local Government New Zealand and talk to your local MPs who will vote on this. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 2

5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Two uses Marg Taylor The saying goes that everything you take in your motorhome should have 2 uses. ©2023 Marg Taylor Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 29