12 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

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Where-we-MNR_2659_H.webp ©2024 M Richardson GO TO Autumn Gold assume the new laws apply everywhere Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? M Richardson If you do not want to freedom camp you do not need the new green warrant. The existing blue standard and blue warrant is still acceptable for all other places that require certified self-containment (so far). ■ The new government is not making any of the changes it championed in the Select Committee stages of the amendment to the Freedom Camping Act. ■ Green warrant cards for freedom camping are being issued, as long as you meet the eight new requirements. See PGDB diagram and link, p8 ■ There are still insufficient testers across the country for the number of vehicles that need warrants in the available time. Search the list here (put in your region first). ■ Costs for getting a 4-year green warrant vary from $200 to $300, including the $120 PGDB levy. ■ The NZMCA has indicated that it will not be issuing green warrant cards until or unless the venting requirements for cassette toilets are lifted. They intend to issue non-green cards for those who do not wish to freedom camp (or pay the government levy) which will be sufficient proof of self-containment for NZMCA parks and events and, presumably, their park over properties. ■ The peculiarities around the venting of toilet cassettes is still required for a green warrant. There are indications that this vent rule will be changed to exclude cassette and compost toilets but this won’t be confirmed until later in the year, if you can trust the politicians. ■ Aside from the venting issue the other peculiarities around self-containment managed by the Plumbers and Gasfitters Board are going to remain part of the regulations. There is no process or willingness to revise any other rules. The Minister has declared he won’t look at any revisions of the law as a whole until June next year at the earliest. ■ Rental companies must have green warrants by Dec 7 this year if the tourists are to be able to use these vehicles to freedom camp. The rest of us already-certified travellers, have until 7 June 2025. ■ From June next year the law demands that the Government must review any effect on homeless vehicle dwellers. ■ Money from international tourist’s levies, that could have been used to improve facilities for freedom campers has instead been spent on Councils to fund bylaw changes, provide enforcement and ambassador programs, plus fund the new PGDB vehicle certification system. The bulk of these funds was paid by MBIE to the regions with the strongest restrictions (and least provision) for freedom camping such as Queenstown Lakes District. ■ Those with fixed toilets and a blue warrant card issued before 7 Jun 2024 will be able to continue to freedom camp until 7 June 2025. ■ There is no indication that the government will extend the available time beyond 7 June 2025 as the Act allows. ■ Only those certified before 7/7/23 with a portable toilet can freedom camp: no-one else with a portable toilet can freedom camp on council-controlled land. ■ Regions vary in their enforcement of the new legislation. Some regions simply choose not to police the certified vehicle restrictions. Some don’t yet have the bylaws in place to apply restrictions, prohibit areas or offer freedom camping areas for non-self-contained campers. ■ It is safest, from a getting fined point of view, to assume the new laws apply everywhere, and to check the region’s website and their signs very carefully for their current rules. n Image: ©2024 M Richardson Freedom camping & self-containment 2 Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? 2 Who can freedom camp from now until 7 June 2025? 4 Getting your camping vehicle certified 8 Am I freedom camping? 8 What you need for a green warrant for freedom camping 10 Planning a toilet for the freedom camping green warrant? 12 Venting a toilet cassette: why, what, when and how 14 Keeping up with the self-containment changes 16 Composting and coddiwompling ︎ Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 2

Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping the Kiwi Way, 6, Summer 2023 Up Editor Camping the Kiwi Way 6: summer 2023 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) Well worth the walk: A wild, magnificent, windswept, long and sandy beach at the northernmost point of the South Island. Mavis and all her DIY: Here’s a brilliant idea… while everything is stripped apart, why not… Who is advocating for NZers who go camping? Do you want the government to listen to your needs as a NZer who camps? Tips for a successful family camping trip . Make your trip that bit smoother. 50 years of camping at Morison’s Bush I think it was 1973 when I first went camping at Morison’s Bush … RV & Camper business services: North Island | South Island Up Up 1/1

With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers, NZ Lifestyle Camping supports the NZ leisure camping industry Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification authority Up Gary Stoneley With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers, NZ Lifestyle Camping supports the NZ leisure camping industry. You do not need to be a member of a club or organisation to get your self-containment certification through NZLC but must have a vehicle that is fit for the purpose of habitation. NZ Lifestyle Camping’s network of testing officers adhere to the requirements of the current NZ Standard, NZS 5465:2001, for the self-containment of motor vehicles. We are currently working with our industry partners to implement the new self-containment regulations due to take effect in December 2023. Recent legislative changes mean that while the current 4 year, NZ-wide standard remains in force, restrictions affect ‘free’ camping on public land (council controlled, LINZ land and possibly some DOC land). We remain committed to supporting all types of campers throughout NZ. For persons with camping vehicles containing portable toilets, a limited certificate can be issued which identifies your vehicle as self-contained for staying on all other land in NZ (commercial, private, club-owned) or at events requiring self-containment. To find or arrange a self-containment check please contact a testing officer near you. 
 nzlifestylecamping.com : https://www.nzlifestylecamping.com  North Is: https://www.nzlifestylecamping.com/northisland South Is: https://www.nzlifestylecamping.com/southisland Fees NZ Lifestyle Camping has a standard processing and issue fee of $45 to cover the costs of issuing the required documentation and maintaining our national network. This is as well as any fee testing officers may charge for their time. New Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board self-containment regulations are not in force yet and some time away. An additional levy of $120 will apply. We wish everyone safe travels. 
We encourage ‘Leave no Trace’ principles when camping. Kind regards,
Gary Stoneley, 
NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd
Ph 027 246 9778 
 nzlifestylecamping.com FYI: We do not recommend freedom camping while you await your final documentation and window card. Without these you are at risk of receiving a $400 fine. More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up NZLC logo-tr.png NZLC logo-tr.png 1/1

With the new self-containment system in disarray, what do you do with your new build, conversion or upgrade? Four choices. Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up What to do? Up Miriam Richardson With the new self-containment system in disarray ( see p13 ), what do you do with your new build, conversion or upgrade? Four choices. Put it off for now. Wait to see if the new government will make changes which may remove the need or determine what work is required. Build/upgrade to meet the existing standard + fixed toilet (NZS 5465:2001) before June 2024 . Good for freedom camping until June 2025 (good elsewhere for 4 years). Decide not to freedom camp. Build/upgrade to meet the existing standard with a portable toilet. You can go to places like DOC, park over properties, and events that require certification. You can also use private campgrounds or join NZMCA for access to their national network of parks. Find a testing officer if you can ( p13 ). Ask what he wants you to do. Do it. Be one of the first with a green card More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up pgdb-logo.webp pgdb-logo.webp 1/1

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing my first time here, STOP and STAY Uretiti Roland Jones Uretiti Stayed for two nights at the Uretiti DOC campsite (Northland). My first time here, a huge campsite with good toilets plus hot showers. $15 per night. ©2024 Roland Jones ckw.nz/doc-uretiti Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 13

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing the road less travelled, down double-digit highways STOP and STAY Double-digit highways Bette Cosgrove & Miriam Richardson SH32/41, SH45, SH60: Do you know them? SH32 winds alongside the mighty Waikato and follows the western and southern shores of Lake Taupo. SH45, The Surf Coast Highway, skirts the sea around Mt Taranaki. SH60, Around coastal Tasman and on on to Golden Bay. SH 32/41, West of Lake Taupo. Jones Landing. (Click for SH32/41) SH 45, The Surf Highway. (Click for SH45) SH60 to Collingwood. Kina Beach. (Click for SH60) Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 5

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption Adjusting the spinnaker Graham on deck of Quasimodo adjusting the spinnaker. ©2025 Graham Leslie Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island Bach by the wharf at Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island. ©2025 Graham Leslie Adjusting the spinnaker Graham on deck of Quasimodo adjusting the spinnaker ©2025 Graham Leslie Lighthouse Lighthouse at Tiritiri Matangi Island. ©2025 Graham Leslie Margaret on helm Margaret on the helm of Quasimodo. ©2025 Graham Leslie Scotts Landing Scotts Landing, Mahurangi Harbour. ©2025 Graham Leslie Taking a photo of boats anchored Taking a photo of boats anchored in Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island. ©2025 Graham Leslie Walking back Walking back to the dingy to return to Quasimodo. ©2025 Graham Leslie GO TO Here & there last summer It’s been nine years Back on the boat (our caravan that floats) Graham Leslie It’s been nine years since we had a sailing holiday in our trailer yacht, Quasimodo. Since then we’ve had lots of caravan holidays. What’s different about being on the water? Surprisingly, not much. A bit more care is needed selecting where to ‘park up’ for the night. And we are very conscious of the weather and wind direction. On the positive side we are visiting places where we could never take our caravan. We are sailing in the Hauraki Gulf. Visiting Tititiri Matangi Island was a treat. This is a wildlife sanctuary situated off the Whangaparāoa Peninsula. Exploring Rangitoto Island has been fun too. Especially the area of the old bach community at Islington Bay. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 21

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Fun time with all Fantastic time at the Onearo campground Cheryl Roberts Fantastic time at the Onearo campground. Fun time with all. All Points Camping. ©2024 Cheryl Roberts Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 21

2 Summer 2022 Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Hitting the Northland beaches — Stop and Stay Gary Stoneley Up 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 Heading up to the top of the North Island to see Cape Reinga is on most people’s bucket lists. For those who enjoy a bit of camping, finding that perfect spot to stay is an added bonus. Finding two such places is something special. Tapotupotu DOC campsite Situated only a couple of km’s south of Cape Reinga the Department of Conservation, Tapotupotu camping area is well worth the drive down into the secluded bay. Very popular over the Christmas and January period it is recommended that you book through DOC if you are wanting to stay during that period. For the bulk of the year you can just roll up to the camp and choose your spot. The camp is located on the foreshore of a small bay and lagoon suitable for swimming. For hikers there is the coastal walkway to explore. To get to the camp it is an easy drive down a short winding metalled road, suitable for all vehicles. Camping sites are flat with several different areas. There are multiple, vault toilets on site but you need to take your own drinking water. ckw.nz Tapotupotu Campsite Camp near a lagoon suitable for swimming and kayaking. Visit Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua only 5 minutes drive away or 3 hours via the walking track. Instead of driving up to the Cape and back in one day why not stay overnight at this special place and see the cape at first light or sunset. Standard DOC charges apply.potu Erratum: In our printed magazine we incorrectly showed this camp asTaputaputa, another Northland campground. taputaputa.nz Matauri Bay Holiday Park Thirty kms north of Keri Keri is Matauri Bay. It’s a steep, tarsealed road down to the campground and reserve but a relatively easy climb back out, even with large vehicles. A large, flat, campground with all amenities plus store and gas station is situated in a wide sandy bay. Which is a shell collector’s paradise. A very picturesque bay, the water is warm, safe and popular for swimming and with a moderate surf. The location, view and peacefulness is such that it is hard to pack up and leave when it’s time to go. Prices are very good, including full facilities, and non-powered sites are just slightly more than DOC camp fees. For a bit more you can have a powered site. This camp comes highly recommended as fantastic value for money, beautiful surroundings and terrific hosts. matauribayholidaypark.co.nz Up Up Tapotupotu Tapotupotu DOC campsite Matauri Bay Tapotupotu 1/6

2 Summer 2022 Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Freedom camping on the East Cape Bette Cosgrove and Miriam Richardson Up Gisborne District Council have very clear freedom camping bylaws which demand waste management, #leavenotrace principles. ckw.nz/gisborne They also ask you to apply for a free camping permit to use their many beautiful sites during summer. A good management strategy. You must have at least one portable chemical toilet between a max of 8 people. This is required for tents as well as vehicles. Vehicles need to be ‘self-contained’ but there is no demand for vehicles to be ‘certified self contained (CSC)’. They tell you where to find rubbish transfer stations and expect all campers to be responsible with their waste (or you can be fined). These bylaws clearly follow the intent of the Freedom Camping Act and look to be the perfect example for other districts, to ensure we can safely use our public land and take care of the environment. They also require 2.5m space between camp sites, for fire safety. Sadly, in the carparks they havent considered fire safety, and have taken a ‘blue box on a map’ approach to limiting freedom camping. The unsafe ‘blue-box-on-a-map’ approach to limiting freedom camping in a car park. (Shown: Bright St and Midway) The alternative approach is a ‘marked parks’ approach (such as in Whakatane, pictured), which spreads the overnight parks out within the carpark, so that no two are too close together. We can hope they will extend fire safety to overnight vehicles in carparks some time soon. Up Up These bylaws clearly follow the intent of the Freedom Camping Act and look to be the perfect example for other districts Bright Street car park, allowed overnight parks. 'Blue box' method of marking. Paint the signs: protect the camper Painted signs on the actual car parks is a straightforward way to designate parks that are not hard up against each other. This matters even more when the parks are the right width for cars, but not for larger vehicles. 1/7

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing as the sun was going down STOP and STAY A roof-top tent M Richardson A roof-top tent captured at the Ōtaki Rivermouth freedom camp as the sun was going down. Kāpiti. October. ◊ ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 13