Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Choosing an internet provider ​ Up Up ​ Up It’s a thorny problem, deciding how to connect to the internet on the road — so many different choices, plans and options; so many unfamiliar concepts. Here’s a ‘simple’ guide. Step 1: Assessing your needs How much data do you use in a month? Will this change if you are on the road rather than at home? On the road you might use internet data to watch films, videos, tv. Standard definition might use 1g of data every hour; super high definition could be as high as 15g per hour. Does your data-use vary much from month to month? Some plans are unlimited but they might slow down if you have used a lot of data. Others are limited but you might be able to buy extra data in months when you need it. Does the internet speed matter to you? If you download things like movies and TV to watch later, speed is less of an issue. If watching things live matters to you, then speed does matter. Whereabouts are you going to travel? There is variation in coverage for the internet. There are areas with no coverage at all. If your travels keep you pretty much near towns or cities you have more choices than if they take you into the wilds. How important is it to have internet access all the time? There might be some places in NZ you can’t go if you need the internet all the time. You can add aerials to extend your coverage, but you need the sort that you set up outside your vehicle, in just the right spot to catch a signal, to make a significant difference in internet coverage. Does your vehicle pose any limitations on phone signals? If you need an aerial to sit outside your vehicle (usually the roof) to get a signal, this will determine the kind of device you use to connect to the internet as not all devices have a fitting for an aerial (mobile phones, for instance). Mobile phone, modem or satellite for the internet? You might want to wait until you have looked at the plans to make up your mind on this, but it worth thinking about the practicalities in advance. Here is a video about using a satellite connection: ckw.nz/satellite . Hardware and its installation You can use your mobile phone to access the internet, or you can use a modem. Integrating a modem into an rv’s 12v electrical system requires a voltage smoother (and someone to install it). You might need an aerial on the roof (that’s another hole in your roof and someone to install it) to capture the signal outside the box of the vehicle; or a freestanding aerial that you can set up when you stop in remote areas. What can you afford? Sometimes we have to choose what we can afford rather than the choice that most closely matches our wants or needs. You need to consider both the initial cost which might include a modem, the ongoing monthly costs, and the cost of any possible add-ons like extra data for busy months or extra hardware and its installation. Step 2: What is on offer? Armed with a clear idea about your needs, you can now scope out what is on offer from the different providers. Check out those dedicated to mobile internet as well as mobile phone providers. At this step, ask questions but agree to nothing. The plans and costs • What plans seem to meet your needs? • Does tying yourself to a contract give you a discount worthy of the bond? • Is there a choice of combining mobile phone/s and internet? Do the dollars stack up? • Are you looking at a joint/ family kind of arrangement rather than individual? • Can you join on to a family member’s existing plan? • Can you use the one arrangement both at home and while on the road? Its worth talking to others about their experiences with a company and looking at reviews. Reviews here: ckw.nz/glimp-rural | ckw.nz/glimp-mobile Assessing a provider How is their admin process: contracts, charging and paying? (don't assume the helpfulness of sales staff reflects what happens on their help desk, they are often a different team.) How is their help desk: helpfulness, their hours, phone / email access? Do you care if the helpdesk is NZ-based or not? Do they offer any discounts for a group you belong to? Netspeed offers a discount for All Points Camping members. Wireless Nation offers a discount for NZMCA members. Check any other of your group memberships for discounts. Step 3: Consider these dimensions of difference Service / reputation. Coverage (where you can get a signal) Using a phone, modem or satellite? Speed & gigabytes. Installation issues. Costs, contracts, discounts. How long is a piece of string? Armed with a clear idea of what you need and questions to ask, you can navigate the thickets of promotional-speak to make a good choice of internet provider. If you are still uncertain, start with an easier, cheaper option, and change up if or when you feel a need. Keep on asking and listening to others’ experiences with their internet provider. Keep yourself ready for change. Check out last issue’s article on 'Getting the internet on the road' ckw.nz/internet-road . Here are the steps: • First: understand what you want or need. • Second: find out what is available and what it costs. • Third sleep on it, ask around, sleep on it again. • Fourth: decide between using a mobile phone, a modem (or satellite) for the internet. • Fifth: review available plans. Choose. Maybe sleep on it again. • Sixth: Sign up. Vodafone coverage 2Degrees coverage Spark coverage Vodafone coverage 1/3 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Buckets, gladwrap, and gossip Miriam Richardson Up Up ​ Up As the select committee considering the proposed changes opened for oral submissions, the Minister of Tourism the opened the speaking, and talked of buckets covered in gladwrap as toilets in motorhomes. It is indicative of how far removed the Minister is from actual facts, that he (a) quotes gossip and (b) misquotes the gossip to support his proposed changes to NZ law. (The gladwrap gossip was about toilets, not buckets.) The Minister is convinced, on no presented evidence, that the fixedness of a toilet is related to its use. No-one knows where he got this idea from; but we know that he is extraordinarily (fixedly, even) insistent on it, regardless of the lack of any evidence. Sadly, there are precious few facts, lots of gossip, lots of time pressure, and a scattergun of poorly aimed legislation heading our way. Get out an enjoy those freedom camping spots while you can. ​ 1/1 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

Click on image for full view and caption Looking west, uphill Scottland Motorhome Park, Bannockburn. ©2024 M Richardson Looking up the valley to Carricktown Scottland Motorhome Park, Bannockburn. ©2024 M Richardson Looking down on Cromwell and Lake Dunstan beyond. Scottland Motorhome Park, Bannockburn. ©2024 M Richardson Looking east, downhill. Scottland Motorhome Park, Bannockburn. ©2024 M Richardson Dump station Scottland Motorhome Park, Bannockburn. ©2024 M Richardson Wind. There is wind. Scottland Motorhome Park, Bannockburn. ©2024 M Richardson Scottland Motorhome Park Miriam Richardson On the top of a ridge looking down on Cromwell one side, and towards Carricktown the other. It’s a windy spot with dramatic views, dramatic weather and the history of the valley is dramatic as well. Read the handout at the registration shed. No tents, children or dogs. Must be self-contained. Bill and Jenny set up their POP (Park Over Property) to have all the things they want when they are travelling, so it includes, water, a photo-worthy dump station for cassettes (left), a washing machine and 2 clothes lines (use your good pegs; it sure is windy), rubbish and recycling as well as a bucket for chook scraps. For grey water, they appreciate it being delivered to their trees, up here in the dry. Also, plugs for e-bike charging, and e-bikes for hire. They have a produce stall at the gate with fruit, eggs, jam, honey and fruit leather, depending on the season (greengages! blackboy peaches! yum!). Activities: walking and cycling, near the Lake Dunstan Trail, and Carrick tracks; wineries, historical sites, galleries. Bill & Jenny 34 Quartzville Rd, Bannockburn 0274 331 761 | 0274 317 101 jenny@xtra.co.nzscottabgood.info $10 a night. NZMCA discount. ​ GO TO Celebrating Summer a windy and dramatic spot with wonderful hosts Private property. Not affected by law changes. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 39 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 CONTENTS PDF BUY ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Autumn 2023 ISSUE 3 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Autumn, Issue 3, Camping the Kiwi Way Up Miriam Richardson Up ​ Up We bring you travel stories, tips, wonderful places to visit, insight into political changes, some solid information, a puzzle, light reading, serious reading and some fun browsing. Buy a copy, subscribe for a year's worth of copies, read it on paper, read it here or read the pdf. The choice is yours. Only $12 a copy delivered, $36 for 4 issues. BUY Featured in this issue CAMP FEST Family friendly tramping A beautiful country but... Saving rural communities? RV businesses and services Camping the Kiwi WayMagazine Issue 3, Autumn 2023 ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSN 2815-827X (Online) © 2023 All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc Editor: Miriam Richardson editor@campingthekiwiway.org.nz campingthekiwiway.org.nz Published quarterly by All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc & NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd Advertising editor@campingthekiwiway.org.nz ckw.nz/advertising Classified Ads ckw.nz/classifieds Share your group in the next issue Contributions are invited from individuals and camping (or related) clubs. 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. • Your camping photos and stories. Your club stories and photos. Upcoming events that include camping. Opinion pieces on camping issues. Technical / helpful articles. Photos 1mb or more in size. Email words and (separate) images: editor@campingthekiwiway.org.nz Contributions close • May 1 for the Winter issue For late-breaking articles talk to the editor. ​ 1/0 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 3 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

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 ​ GO TO Celebrating Summer ​ Private property. Not affected by law changes. Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 21 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 CONTENTS PDF BUY ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

BUY PDF CONTENTS 5 Spring 2023 Up A small paint kit, a few good brushes… David Liddall Up From the time I left school I was compelled to travel, hitchhiking everywhere (including Asia) till getting my licence at twenty-five, thereafter owning a succession of vehicles that doubled as campers, the longest owned of these being a 1972 pop top Kombi van, used daily for about 28 years. Prior to turning 50 I bought my current bus, a Mitsubishi Fuso, 7,500kg, 7.5m land sailing boat, built by a boat builder with very good design and functionality. Also dating from my school days was my interest in drawing and painting, and after initially trying oil and ink, once I discovered quality water colour paint, I was hooked, especially with it’s portability. Being able to carry a small paint kit and a few good brushes, all that’s needed is some good watercolour paper and a little pot of water and you have the means of expressing a memory or reproducing or creating a wonderful scene, something that will remain long after I’ve shuffled from this mortal coil. My travel and painting passions were put aside for periods of my life as I pursued a career in nursing, working in a variety of areas, surgical nursing, including a few years as a scrub nurse in theatre (Whangarei) psychiatric (Seaview Hospital, Hokitika and Whangarei) emergency care (Whangarei) and lastly, night RN in a MetLifecare facility at Mt Maunganui (my home town). After thirty years I took early retirement, largely financed by the sale of my Kombi (it seemed too ridiculous to tow a campervan behind a campervan) and I moved to Northland to be closer to my son and grandkids, locating at the little coastal community of Whananaki. Finding a source of print production I sold a number of prints to people I’d met passing through the campground and other local places. 19 years on the road: my current road trip Late in 2022 I left Northland to visit my brother in Thames and Coromandel, exploring right to Fletcher Bay, the outer tip of the peninsula. The clouds were ominously massing after New Year and I got out of that vulnerable peninsula in the following days, heading back north. Seeing the devastation behind and ahead, I spontaneously turned around and headed south instead (retirement is such a liberating state of being, to allow such decisions) stopping at Taumarunui when I heard the following weekend was ‘Republic Day’ at Whangamonoma, deep into the Forgotten World Highway. I came up with the idea of using my bus as a gallery, attaching paintings along the side with magnets. So paying my stall fee, I set up beside the whip cracking and log splitting exhibits. It was a wonderful experience and bought back the sense of community that was common in my childhood. I sold a painting and got another commission which took me to Opunake and the wonderful Mt Taranaki (that is usually still called Mt Egmont by the locals). With the delays to ferry services I spent longer in Wellington than expected but had lots of fun painting scenes around the city and did another commissioned work. Due to the sailing cancellation I spent a couple of nights at the Evans Bay Marina freedom camping area, to find lots of others in the same position, over seventy vans there that first night, and due to the excessive numbers some parked in the centre, between the two outside allocated spaces. In the morning the efficient council issued $150 fines to everyone parked outside the lines; nice to see bureaucracy doesn’t rest, even during a national transportation crisis. Being very aware of the environmental disaster moving toward us, I’ve determined to reduce my carbon footprint as much as I can, though I have given a lot of thought to the rationale of travelling at all, but our footprint exists regardless of where we exist, so I endeavour to spend longer in interesting places off-grid and independent (fortunately my bus is independent of external input if the sun is shining) rather than dashing hither and yon, and have found that it is the obscure, forgotten little places that hold the most interest and subject material for paintings and rewarding experiences. My favourite places so far are found in the high country of Central Otago and the upper West Coast, especially north of Karamea, such lush subtropical bush and coastal locations, and the Ida Valley. I am drawn to place names like Drybread and Blackball, getting to know the locals of Seddonville, and the muffins at Gentle Annie. I’ve been privileged to leave artwork in many places in my wake and hope they bring pleasure, however for most of this journey, I’ve done what I call my ‘cafe paintings’, taking my travel brushes and paints with a little watercolour pad to a cafe, have breakfast or a muffin and tea or coffee while I sketch out a scene from my phone, and do a miniature painting. They take about forty minutes and are very pleasurable to paint. Over the following few days I decide who to send it to, put a stamp on the back, write a thoughtful note to my friend or family member then post it off. To date I’ve done nearly forty such paintings. One friend receiving one, was told by his post lady she’d never delivered an original painting before. It’s a fabulous way to share my journey with others, and imagine the surprise they get receiving a little painting in the post. Maybe you’ll get one one day. Contact David: david@ckw.nz ‘Republic Day’ gallery on the bus, Whangamomona Up Up The obscure, forgotten little places Click on the gallery for a full size view Bus gallery, Whangamomona Stopped at Taumarunui, I heard the following weekend was ‘Republic Day’ at Whangamomona, deep in the Forgotten World Highway. I came up with the idea of using my bus as a gallery, attaching paintings along the side with magnets. So paying my stall fee, I set up beside the whip cracking and log splitting exhibits. It was a wonderful experience and bought back the sense of community that was common in my childhood. I sold a painting and got another commission which took me to Opunake and the wonderful Mt Taranaki (that is usually still called Mt Egmont by the locals). Port Tarakohe Hokitika Bus gallery, Whangamomona Stopped at Taumarunui, I heard the following weekend was ‘Republic Day’ at Whangamomona, deep in the Forgotten World Highway. I came up with the idea of using my bus as a gallery, attaching paintings along the side with magnets. So paying my stall fee, I set up beside the whip cracking and log splitting exhibits. It was a wonderful experience and bought back the sense of community that was common in my childhood. I sold a painting and got another commission which took me to Opunake and the wonderful Mt Taranaki (that is usually still called Mt Egmont by the locals). 1/4

Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Preparing for the cold winter "brrrrrr's" Linda Butler Up Up ​ Up My husband Martin and I met up with Ray Harris the winter before last at Waihi Gorge. Our first night in the bus in winter. Darn, we could only get the new heater up to 10ºC on that night, and woke to a -3ºC frost. We opened the oven door, lit the gas and waited for sunshine. I'm proud of my hubby, he did agree to stay another night, but we enjoyed the warmth of Ray's 30º heater that evening, while playing cards until bedtime. This was from our newly installed diesel heater. Oh boy, we soon wondered if there was actually nothing wrong with the old gas one after all. The installers spent a lot of hours trying to work out the problem. Even with lagged pipes the heater wouldn't get warmer than 18º. Finally we were told the poor insulation and many windows in the bus were the problem. So over the last few months we came up with a plan. Purchased woollen carpet; it won’t need underlay, we were told. Tick With the curtains closed around our beds we still had a draft coming from the windows. We have a silver rail in front of the window. No probs. Op shop curtains purchased and now we sit draft-free with a feeling of sitting in a yurt in the back of the bus. Tick The carpet did need underlay as we still felt it cold. Fixed. Tick Hubby couldn't stand the cold on his body from the bus wall lining under the window by the bed. He needs a bit more fat on him! So we bought yoga mats. Nice and thin. Can lay under the mattress when not in use. Perfect. Tick Stumbled on a net curtain to cover the door for insects and thought, why not also get a long curtain to cover the door for cold? Found one that fits a treat and hangs around my passenger-side headrest when not in use. Another draft fixed. Tick The venetian blinds in the kitchen: we found just enough curtain to cover over them as well.We are going to be so snug! Tick The bathroom felt like a bucket of ice. We hung a curtain cord and threaded a towel by its own hem. That kept the cold off our arm. Easy to wash. Tick Might try leaving the door open in the evening to let the heat from the cabin flow in. That only left the driver's window area. We heard about insulation paper that builders use. We bought about 10 meters, cut it down to each individual window size, then used a heat gun and sealed the edges. This hopefully will help with the frost also! We hope... Since doing all this, we have been unable to get out to try it, other than 2 nights at Lake Camp before winter really hit, after the carpet was put in and we had our curtains over the back windows. That little made a big difference. We are looking forward to next year when we hit the road. Late August after we return from Europe. We will be snug as a bug in a rug. We hope! Don't give up. Get ready for those winter blues… brrrrr… Photos ©2022 Linda Butler Now’s the time to plan or prepare your caravan, bus or motorhome for next winter. I asked Linda to tell us about her journey to warm up their bus. Editor Windows Our bus has a lot of windows ©2022 Linda Butler More windows Our bus has a lot of windows ©2022 Linda Butler Sealing the edges or the window insulation. We used a heat gun and sealed the edges on the insulation for the driver's window.©2022 Linda Butler Windows Our bus has a lot of windows ©2022 Linda Butler 1/6 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Click on image for full view and caption On the beach at Hokitika. Heading to The Burt Munro in Invercargill. ©2024 Tony Knights Hokitika beach sculpture Tony Knights ​ GO TO Celebrating Summer ​ ​ Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 35 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 CONTENTS PDF BUY ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Lithium-iron batteries in RVs Collyn Rivers Up Up ​ Up Lithium-iron batteries in RVs – they are safe to use. They deliver a lot of energy and pack a lot of power but need specialised knowledge to use safely and reliably. Here’s the how and why for the LiFePO4 (lithium-iron) variety. Collyn Rivers. Read here: ckw.nz/lithium ​ electrics-lithium-rivers_m.webp electrics-lithium-rivers_m.webp 1/1 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Camping / caravan tips — Setup / packup Marty Ireland Up Up ​ Up Do you struggle when you set up your camp or your caravan? We are on to our 3rd caravan but the latest came with a host of manuals for everything like gas stove, fridge, awning etc. so as a specialist assembler and installer, advising others that they should read all instructions provided, I decided to do just that. Now here is a suggestion: just relax, sit down with a coffee and read, even if you do not fully understand, read all the information to get a general overview.Then go and try each appliance until it works and you feel comfortable and confident with it. Do a dummy run on awning or tent set up if you have or can find an area to do this before leaving. It may be a little trying, but as you get each thing down pat, start a set up list with each step in order and have it laminated and ready inside the car, caravan door or tent bag. Label poles with a marker with appropriate numbers or letters and a brief description of which end, or middle etc; or colour code with electricians tape. Tent or awning assembly will become a dream. Have you ever driven off with a support leg still down, or a jockey wheel not retracted, even a power cable still plugged in? Not a good look and it can be both embarrassing and expensive. So do a reverse-order pack-down list too, and stick to it. Having an assistant read out the lists while you do the tasks is a help, both to set up and to pack down. Having a measured plan of your tent or van footprint with awnings and ropes sizes will help you quickly decide on arrival at the holiday site which way to face your tent or van saving a lot of frustration if you find you have to reposition. See my plan, above. A seamless set-up lets you sit down for your first refreshment early, and the satisfaction of doing it both quickly and without forgetting anything is very rewarding. Watching new arrivals go through the same process can be cheap entertainment, however offering to assist with your experience and wisdom is a pleasure in itself. Happy and safe camping all. Download these files if you would find them helpful: My sheet (print it A4, double sided and laminate; pdf). The .doc version of my sheet , to edit and make it your own. Or the .rtf version . The awning assembly order sheet (pdf). The awning space sheet (pdf). A blank awning space sheet to put in your own measurements (pdf). ​ Record the spacing needed for your awning Record the order and lengths for your awning ropes Laminated sheet Download my laminated sheet. Record the spacing needed for your awning 1/3 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Seventh week Up Lisa Ambrose Seventh week on the road in Aotearoa in this beauty. Dunedin to Auckland and back again. Lisa Ambrose. Photos ©2022 Lisa Ambrose. Up Up Up 1 Spring 2022 ​ Seventh week on the road Seventh week on the road 1/1