Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption chilly-tramping_H_food-1.webp GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE Winter tramping food Jono Collins There were some pretty yummy looking dinners getting eaten on our tramp last weekend…. This is what I’m all about. 🏕️ More: Winter in the Tararuas for first time trampers ©2025 Jonathan Collins, NZ Fun Adventures nzfunadventures.co.nz Find us on Facebook . Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 13

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Reuben’s caravan Caravan tales Lynn and Charlie Hogg Our caravanning days started 12 years ago to take over from going tenting which we did for a number of years when our two boys were younger. At that time we lived in a small granny flat and I said to my husband if we are going to buy a tent I want to be able to stand up in it. So we ended up getting a 2-roomed one. Our boys were 8 and 6 years old, the younger one, Rueben, having severe autism. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and that we would learn to deal with things as they happened and some we could prepare for beforehand. Two of the constant issues was the loud nursery rhyme music and the screaming. And when you only have canvas between you and your fellow tenters, and the night seems to make noise a lot louder, you do lots of things to keep the decibel sounds down including bribery. While our older son helped out a lot, eventually there came a time when he didn’t want to go camping with mum and dad. So we started looking at getting a caravan as we really needed to have three people to put up the tent, and my husband didn’t have the best of health either. Being on a low income we couldn’t afford to buy the caravan so we remortgaged and made it manageable for Reuben to be able to pay one off. Our options were limited but eventually we found a big clunky one and even though Reuben has never understood that he owns it he calls it Reuben’s caravan. From then on we could continue our camping holidays with our very best friends Marty and Diana. Although Reuben was getting older there were always going to be challenges taking a special-needs child away and sometimes we didn’t know what they would be until we got to the camp ground. Sometimes we went to the same place more than once, sometimes a different place. One of the things that could have been a bigger issue but, thankfully, hasn’t turned out to be, (well so far), is that even as Reuben’s got older he still needs help with his toileting and showering. Me being his mum and doing it a lot of the time, I couldn’t go with him into the men’s toilets. So I would take him into the female ones. Sometimes there’s a few raised eyebrows but no one has ever queried it. As the years have gone by it has been made easier as though Reuben still needs the help with his personal care, more and more campgrounds have the provision of a disability toilet and shower. Another issue we had was that Reuben was a runner. One minute he was there then blink and he was gone. So we were constantly on high alert to watch him, because when he did disappear he would go straight to the beach or lake. He loved water. As the years went by he took off less and less. Because he has bonded with a portable dvd player (it became like a second skin to him), he was very happy to watch that rather than run, and we were very happy to start getting more rest. After years the screaming starting to lessen and the caravan walls were slightly thicker than the tent ones so the noise was a bit more muffled. We only have to listen to the nursery rhymes now and sometimes they even put us to sleep. The one thing we must have, when booking our camping trip, is a powered site. That is non-negotiable as Reuben must have power for his electrical equipment that has to go with him when we go camping. Many of the owner-caretakers of the campgrounds have been very accomodating in putting us on a powered site as close as they can to the toilet block in case Reuben did wander off and go to the toilet without us noticing. We never had far to walk. It was easier, having the caravan, knowing that at the end of the holiday most things had their place inside. Only a few things had to be brought inside before you could shut the caravan door and leave. It didn’t matter if you got home and couldn’t unpack everything straight away, it was all under cover. Sadly, our caravanning days are slowly coming to an end. In all the years of driving with it I never learnt to reverse it. Charlie or Marty did that. A small house bus/motor home (all-in-one) would be a lot better but that isn’t financially possible. But I’m not looking at giving up camping. We still want to be able to take Reuben away even as we are getting older. So the next option will be going to campgrounds with cabins. We can still keep making new memories and holidaying with our best friends, it just wont be on 2 wheels. ◊ Dannevirke campground goes accessible | Read Alice’s journey Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 22

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Heading over the Pigroot to St Bathans. SH85. ©2025 Heather Auckram Parked at the free camp at the St Bathans domain under a shady tree with a hot 32degree breeze blowing through the van. ©2025 Heather Auckram Loki dog enjoyed poking his nose into rabbit holes. ©2025 Heather Auckram quirky goal posts ©2025 Heather Auckram quirky goal posts The Pigroot SH85 Heather Auckram Headed over the Pigroot to St Bathans. Parked at the free camp at the domain under a shady tree with a hot 32 degree breeze blowing through the van. Loki dog enjoyed poking his nose into rabbit holes on the rugby field with the quirky goal posts. The Pigroot, SH85, runs from Palmerston on the coast via Ranfurly to Alexandra in Central Otago. There was a town and a pub called Pigroot during the 1870s and 80s. St Bathans is a 12km side journey. ©2025 Heather Auckram Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 5

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Musterers Hutt ©2024 Linda Butler Musteres Hut The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Museum The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers domain ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers domain playground at ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers Domain ©2024 Linda Butler I wont forget the look on a members face when her chair collapsed on her. ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler Mt Somers campground kitchen ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler ©2024 Linda Butler GO TO Autumn Gold an awesome bunch of happy campers STOP and STAY A weekend at Mt Somers Linda Butler Canterbury All Points campers enjoyed a great weekend at Mt Somers in March. It was full of sunshine, friendly locals and surprising entertainment. We will never forget that hedge which we are sure we deciphered. But I won’t tell the answer on here… Nor will I forget the look on a members face when her chair collapsed on her. It’s all part of camping. Our group included a 15 month old toddler to great grandparents with their photos. The domain had the cleanest facilities that I personally have come across in a while. A few of our members were thrilled to watch a local rugby game in play, reviving what rugby was all about, the atmosphere, the shouting, the energy. The Museum was opened for us. I enjoyed watching the team reminiscing over objects from their childhood. The history stored within is well worth a browse. We had a few energetic walkers that either explored the Blackburn Mine or went to see what the Sharplin Falls were about. They returned to camp with big smiles. The general store was a short walk. We browsed the gardens and lovely cared-for homes on our way there for a barista coffee. Yum. OK, the odd person sneaked back for ice cream and or pies… The friendly publican nearly cooked us with his log fire, lol, but better than a cold room. Oh, and I think Trev left some of the roadside blackberries for others. Check out our upcoming All Points Camping events on the website or facebook events page. “What an awesome bunch of happy campers. Fabulous weekend, weather was great, company great. Some of us enjoyed our stay so much we stopped an extra night or two. This is another “go back to” location.” Images ©2024 Linda Butler Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 31

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing 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

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption New Year gathering at Waihora, Motukarara, Canterbury. ©2023 Linda Butler Join the club All Points Camping ALL POINTS CAMPING CLUB of NZ We are proud to sponsor this issue of Camping the Kiwi Way Brought to you by NZ’s inclusive, friendly, camping club, for your reading pleasure. Family membership to the All Points Camping Club gives you: ✶ Membership support ✶ Friendly, inclusive camping events ✶ Nationwide savings ✶ Lobbying support for campers’ rights. You don’t have to have a self-contained vehicle to join. You don’t have to be a member to come to our events. It’s more than just a club, it’s like one big family. Come along to one of our events near you.Bring the tent, bring the kids. Image: ©2024 Margaret Earle Join now only $35NZ’s national camping club Join here: www.allpointscampingnz.org ✶ When the benefits far exceed the cost you’d be crazy not to take it up. ✶ Our values: compassion, inclusion, support and encouragement Top image: Motukarara, Canterbury. ©2022 Linda Butler. Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 40

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024 All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024 All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove All Points Camping at Morisons Bush Bette Cosgrove All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 21

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption It is a fascinating area with lots of ore wagon tracks still in place ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye It is very steep and a lot of hard work. ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye This track is only 500m long but can take one hour to ascend. That gives you some idea of how steep the terrain is. ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye There is various mining equipment and building ruins to see on the way ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye There is various mining equipment and building ruins to see on the way ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye There is various mining equipment and building ruins to see on the way ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye It is a fascinating area with lots of ore wagon tracks still in place ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye Due to all the rain there were numerous cascades and waterfalls spilling across the trails and also multiple fast flowing streams to cross. ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye There is various mining equipment and building ruins to see on the way ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye Due to all the rain there were numerous cascades and waterfalls spilling across the trails and also multiple fast flowing streams to cross. ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye Due to all the rain there were numerous cascades and waterfalls spilling across the trails and also multiple fast flowing streams to cross. ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye We climbed to the very top. ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye GO TO Springing We had a blast! Up, up the Waiorongomai Valley Greg Lokes After a cold morning out in the fog I headed back to the camper to thaw out my fingers and feet while having breakfast. At about 9 am Barb and I donned our tramping gear and went for a 4 hour hike along the bush trails that start at the Waiorongomai Valley carpark. We hiked to Butler’s Incline and climbed to the very top. It is very steep and a lot of hard work. We then descended the very, very steep New Era Branch Track, climbing down backwards in many places whilst hanging onto trees, roots and rocks. This track is only 500m long but can take one hour to ascend. That gives you some idea of how steep the terrain is. It is a fascinating area with lots of ore wagon tracks still in place along the hiking trails and various mining equipment and building ruins to see on the way. Due to all the rain there were numerous cascades and waterfalls spilling across the trails and also multiple fast flowing streams to cross. We had a blast! ◊ July 2023 ©2024 Greg Lokes FB: Gregs Eye ckw.nz/gregs-eye In the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park. DOC: ckw.nz/doc-waiorongomai NZ’s oldest known railway: ckw.nz/oldest-tramway Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 36

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Pohangina Valley Looking over the Pohangina Valley from a freedom camping spot on Valley Rd. Manawatu ©2024 M Richardson GO TO Springing Each council makes its own choices But I am not freedom camping… Miriam Richardson We are in a time of transition, as councils try to work out how to apply and enforce the new freedom camping laws. They are each doing it in their own way, so there is no consistent advice for campers around the country as a whole. The law gives councils no criteria to judge what counts as a ‘ day-trip excursion ,’ ‘ temporary and short-term parking ’ or how a person can establish they have ‘ driver fatigue ,’ all of which are, the law says, not feedom camping. There is also a new offence, ‘ making preparations to freedom camp ’ in a place where freedom camping is not allowed. The law says that this means to “ park a motor vehicle to use it for freedom camping ” or to “ erect a tent to use it for freedom camping. ” (Freedom Camping Act 2011, 20, 1 (f)(g), & 2) The impossible thing with this, is that there is no way to know a person’s intentions. Are they parked to freedom camp, or are they parked on a day-trip, which is not freedom camping? They often look identical in real life. Each council makes its choices when it trains its enforcement officers: what criteria determines ‘freedom camping’ or ‘preparing to freedom camp’; how to recognise a ‘day-trip excursion’ vs ‘preparing to freedom camp.’ There is no way for the traveller to know in advance what criteria any particular council is using. What to do if you fall foul of a council’s criteria? First, write in to the council and explain your actions and intentions. If they still assert you were freedom camping or preparing to freedom camp, seek support from camping/motorhoming groups such as All Points Camping or NZMCA. Their support may make a difference as you decide between the personal costs of fighting vs the dollar cost of the fine. ◊ Next issue we will explore these issues in more detail. I would love to hear about your summer experiences: editor@campingthekiwiway.org Image: Looking over the Pohangina Valley from a freedom camping spot on Valley Rd. Manawatu ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 2

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing a safe place to park up I really like the Waiouru Army Museum joymareephotography I really like the Waiouru Army Museum as a safe place to park up for the night. ◊ ©2024 joymareephotography@ckw.nz Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 17

8 Winter 2024 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

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Thermettes in the morning are a great way heat water for coffee and start a toast. ©2025 Graham Leslie Thermettes in the morning are a great way heat water for coffee and start a toast. ©2025 Graham Leslie How to use a thermette GO TO Here & there last summer a great way to boil water and an \easy way to start a fire A good day’s camping starts with a thermette Graham Leslie A good day’s camping starts using a thermette to boil the water for coffee and for its small fire to then make toast. A thermette is not only a great way to boil water, but it is also a really easy way to start a fire. A thermette is essentially a kettle with a chimney up the middle of it. The advantage is its internal cone chimney shape makes a natural heat updraft to promote the starting of a fire and also it quickly heats the water in the thermette. To use your thermette Stuff some scrunched up newspaper in the separate base compartment that comes with the thermette. Orientate the side vent of the base to catch the breeze. Place the water-filled thermette on top of the base. Drop twigs down the thermette’s chimney and light it. Add more twigs as they burn. This is the easiest way to light a fire in the morning. Once the thermette water boils (indicated by boiling water bubbling out the filler hole) lift the thermette off its base and away from the fire. Lift the base away with a stick leaving a small fire to use to make toast. Add some more wood to your fire as required and if you have a rack (maybe an old oven rack) balance it over the fire on three or four rocks and you are ready to place your bread on the rack to make toast while you enjoy your first coffee of the day. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 25