5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mag-F-0923-CTKW.webp By and for campers Camping the Kiwi Way, 5, Spring 2023 Editor Camping the Kiwi Way 5: spring 2023 ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) | ISSN 2815-827X (Online) Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Lake Monowai. ©2023 Kayla Laatz Featured content Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan Because we had a newborn, my parents-in-law offered us the caravan. 10 Tips for Safe Caravan Towing The same accident rates, but the main reason, jack-knifing, is different. Why not stop and stay a while? Where to stop when travelling and camping in NZ—use it, share it, add to it. Pros and cons of full time family travel PROS: You get to spend a lot of time as a family. CONS: You spend a lot of time as a family. Update: Self-containment and freedom camping changes RV & Camper business services: Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of contents 2 Freedom camping under the new law 4 Editorial 4 Freedom camping & self-containment: status, Spring 2023 4 Freedom camping: who does what 5 Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan 7 Cooking on the road: planning food for off the road 8 The Homestead, St Bathans 9 10 Tips for safe caravan towing 9 Why Caravans roll over… and how to prevent it 10 Building a connected NZ camping and tourism industry 10 Lake pukaki 11 Lake Monowai campsite 12 Why not stop and stay a while? Introducing Stop and Stay 14 Cooking with fire 14 Easy-to-make flat breads 15 Pros and Cons of full time family travel 16 More cold season tips 16 A cassette toilet in a van 18 Update: Self-containment and freedom camping changes 20 Thinking about your overnight park 21 Freedom inside the fence 22 PUZZLE: Small town New Zealand 23 Small town: Waiau 25 A small paint kit, a few good brushes… 26 This is the story of three types of self-contained vehicles… 26 A classic 29 Mobile cell towers 29 The Aeropress 29 Two uses 30 Around my own back yard 32 The smallest church 32 Yaktrax 33 Events — Camping 34 Events — Festivals and shows 35 RV & camper business services About Camping the Kiwi Way © 2023 All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc Editor: Miriam Richardson editor@campingthekiwiway.org campingthekiwiway.org Published quarterly by All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc & NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd Order or subscribe Printed copies including postage:$44 for a year (4 issues)$13.50 for a single copyeditor@campingthekiwiway.org Read it online or get a PDF ckw.nz/spring2023 Subscribe for an email link to each issue: editor@campingthekiwiway.org Advertising editor@campingthekiwiway.org See ckw.nz/advertising Front cover: Lake Monowai, Fiordland p11 . ©2023 Kayla Laatz Share your stories If your group or club is promoting NZers enjoying our great outdoors, we would like to share your stories. Tenting, caravanning, motorhoming, van camping, bike camping, hiking and more. • Camping photos and stories. • Club stories and photos. • Upcoming events that include camping. • Opinion pieces on camping issues. • Technical / helpful articles. Photos 1mb or more in size. Email words and (separate) images: editor@campingthekiwiway.org Contributions close Nov 1 for the Summer issue For late-breaking articles talk to the editor. Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 3

1 Spring 2022 1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption 1-CKW-cover-24-Hero.webp Your magazine Camping the Kiwi Way, 1, Spring 2022 Editor Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: 1958, camping in the poptop. ©2022 Graham Leslie 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 We bring you travel stories, tips, wonderful places to visit, insight into political changes, some solid information, a crossword: light reading, serious reading and some fun browsing. Enjoy Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 3

Festivals and shows coming up BUY PDF CONTENTS Spring 2023 ISSUE 5 Up EVENTS — Festivals and Shows These events offer an opportunity for people to overnight while they attend. Some are restricted to certified self contained vehicles, some restrict or ban pets. Check the event website for details. september SI Endurance Race Series - Round 2 22–23 Sept, Friday: Invercargill teretonga.org.nz october Waiau pig hunting competition Labour Weekend (21–23 Oct). A fund raiser for the fire brigade. ckw.nz/waiau-pigs Hurunui Garden Festival 26–29 Oct: Hurunui. Intimate and whimsical, grand and formal: something to inspire every gardener. Gardens, workshops, events, tours, food. ckw.nz/hurunui-gardens RESTORE Rally 2023 : Bikes, trikes, all welcome 13– 15 Oct: Waiau ckw.nz/waiau-restore A rider event, open to all over 18 years. Live blade shearing; MoonDog plays his blues, a new young band to rock you. Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival 27 Oct–5 Nov: Taranaki taranakigardens.co.nz november Waiau fireworks 4 Nov. Fab night out with lots of fun, family entertainment, stalls. Pay with cash. ckw.nz/waiau-fireworks Nelson Motorhome & Caravan Show 11–12 Nov, Saturday: Tahunanui Beach Holiday Park, Nelson nelsonmotorhomeshow.co.nz Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair 18 Nov, Sat: Kimbolton crosshillsfair.co.nz Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival 2023 24–26 Nov, Fri: Masterton wings.org.nz Harvest Festival Hawkes Bay 25 Nov, Sat: Napier harvesthawkesbay.com 2024 Egmont Country Music Jan 2024 5–7 Jan: Taranaki on Facebook Marton Country Music Festival 19–21 Jan: Marton martonfestival.com Camp Fest 9–11 Feb: Bulls, Manawatu ckw.nz/campfest Warbirds Over Wanaka Mar 2024 29–31 Mar 2024, Wanaka warbirdsoverwanaka.com Waiau School trail ride 2024 6–7 April: Waiau. For competent riders of off-road motorcycles and ATVs. Breathtaking. Basic overnight camping. theride.co.nz Up Up Up 1/0

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Then our nightmare started. Buyer beware Anonymous I have chronic persisting back pain. I cannot last more than about 5 minutes doing any chores before pain sends me to a chair. Sometimes I can do the supermarket run easily, other times it’s agony. When we go camping I can only sit and watch others go exploring when really I would prefer to join them. It is another form of a horrible cruel, disability. Buying the caravan meant we could travel with my mobility scooter inside the caravan. This meant not only could I get involved on walks with our camping group, it also meant we didn’t need to sell our car to buy a van which would have meant that I couldn’t take our young granddaughters camping with us. I know the caravan is classed as a toy hauler, but we didn’t want to use it for toys, rather as a means to improve my life. The caravan was only 9 years old. We pawed over the photos, checked questions asked, relieved to read it was water tight when asked about leaks and damages. Measurements seemed to work for holding my scooter. It had an awning which we could use to store the scooter in at night which meant we could access the bathroom area at night. So we made a phone call to the owner to discuss it further. I asked, if they kept it, what would they do to improve it. They said nothing needed doing. We asked if they could hold it for us until the following weekend however they were not keen. We were going away south that weekend and they were going away for a week. We were concerned someone local to them would look at it before we got to view. it So after considering all the information we had, and as they had answered everything in a positive manner, we chose to trust them and made an offer which was accepted. We pressed Buy Now. Vintage Wagon at a Whanganui Vintage weekend 2024. ©2024 Margaret Earle Why we didn’t do an inspection at pickup The few days before we went to collect the caravan, hubby was recovering from having put his back out. We almost cancelled the drive to collect it. We travelled the day prior to the pick up so as to break our trip. On the day we collected it, rain was coming in waves. We could only carefully follow them around the caravan as they showed us how things worked. Hubby asked if the roof was in good condition . He said yes and offered us to go up on a balcony to look, but we chose to trust him as it was a sloped section and we couldn’t afford either of us to upset our backs. I did attempt to walk up a small sloped driveway to see what I could, but it was not high enough. So, we were pleased he confirmed it was in good nick. After sheltering from a rain shower in their garage, we loaded and left. Then our nightmare started. Big leak We stayed at a riverside camp on the way home because hubby was struggling with his back. We decided to leave the caravan attached to the car, even though it meant the back of the caravan was higher than the front. It was only for one night. It poured with yet another rain shower. Then I glanced up and noticed a line of water about 10 cm wide, flowing past the shower door, past the hand basin area, reaching the toilet door. Approx a metre long. It was no small trickle. I wish we had taken a photo before we grabbed a towel to mop it up. On closer inspection, the outer corner of the caravan was soft and full of water. I had noticed a smell when we first entered the caravan, but I thought it was because the caravan had been shut up and needed a good clean and airing. We, fortunately, are not used to musty smells. We are now! The awning was stored in that part of the caravan which will be why we didn’t notice that damp corner. First thing Monday, I called a local specialist and booked it to be looked at. We had to wait til the end of the week. I burst into tears when they told us what they found. The roof was soft and is probably the main cause of water down the sides of the caravan. There were signs of repairs in many places. It has had ongoing prolonged water ingress. It will need stripping before they can see the extent of damage done. We were guttered. They took 39 photos. We also discovered earlier in the week that the awning was not the right style for the caravan either. The awning had rounded corners, (and two big rips), whereas the caravan had square corners. I contacted a firm that dealt with this style of caravan and they said the manufacturer did not recommend using this style of awning but a “pull out” model only. Warning At the time of writing this, the caravan still sits empty, untouched in our back yard. We are in discussions with our lawyer. Victims don’t seem to have many rights these days. There is lots of protection for the seller though. Good and bad ones. So, do get your vehicle checked so no one can pull the wool over your eyes. More On investigation we discovered that not many firms want to do a pre-purchase inspection anymore. If anything is missed or not able to be seen (come on, they can’t take it all apart!), the firm takes the hit — purchasers try to make it a financial one to avoid having to pay for it themselves. So I guess we can’t blame them for not wanting to do inspections. I heard this from a number of firms I contacted. Google ‘caravan pre-purchase inspection’ for someone near the seller. The best advice I was given was don’t buy it before seeing it. If the owner won’t hold it— there could be a reason… ◼️ The writer has chosen to be anonymous. See page 20 What you need to look for… for a checklist from Collyn Rivers. Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 21

1 Spring 2022 Firth of Thames Up Wayne Ravelich Our view last night of the Firth of Thames. Parked a couple of km north of Thames at a wonderful free site on the water front. Wayne Ravelich ©2022 Wayne Ravelich Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS 1/1

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro ©2023 Daniel Munro It was cold at Mavora Lakes Daniel Munro It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. I think the Mrs thought I was a bit crazy suggesting a night away in the van this time of year. But she went along with it. Mavora Lakes last night, it was cold. Minus 2ºC when I woke up this morning, and still plenty of snow around too. But a sack of firewood, extra blankets and hot water bottles meant we were very cozy in the little camper. Photos ©2023 Daniel Munro Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 11

7 Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024 ISSUE 7 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Coleman model 1 stove. 100 years old and still works like it should… Coleman model 1 stove. © 2024 Mel Taylor, Camping / Hiking : Pots, Stoves and Other Implements of Outdoor Cooking Facebook 100 years old and still works like it should Mel Taylor 100 years old and still works like it should… Coleman model 1 stove. © 2024 Mel Taylor, Camping / Hiking : Pots, Stoves and Other Implements of Outdoor Cooking Facebook GO TO Celebrating Summer Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 33 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 4 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Teardrop © Andrew Morton There’s no need to rush this Summer. Is it better on the other side? Gary Stoneley #Notfitforpurpose #Self -containedvehicleregulations #Longandwindingroad The new self-containment regulations that the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board are trying to implement have more bumps, twists and turns than the North Island Saddle Road. Since 2017 and the closure of the Manawatu Gorge, with many millions spent, there has been slow progress for people wanting to travel across from Tararua / Hawkes Bay to the Manawatu. For many campers it is now a brief but expensive trek across the steep winding hills to get to the other side. On the other side there are always camping opportunities but weather is fickle in these parts and you never know what you are going to get. It is intended that the new Manawatu Tararua Highway will be operating in 2024 but there are still a few bridges to cross before that happens ( more ). The new self-containment regulations managed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB ), soon to be implemented and running alongside the current standard, are a bit like this. Pushed by disgraced former MP Stuart Nash, with a fetish for portable toilets, it was rushed through the 2nd and final reading without a Select Committee report by Peeni Henare MP and Kiri Allen MP, by the Labour Party majority. The legislation was quickly followed by MBIE-drafted regulations that had not been tested in the industry. Fast forward to November and the PGDB are recklessly trying to implement flawed regulations and self-containment testing officer guidelines that have more holes than a kitchen sieve, because they have been legislated to do so . Somehow, even with all the technical experts, the MBIE Responsible Camping Team, with government ministers tasked to do due diligence, we have still ended up with new regulations that don’t actually work. Common sense would dictate that if you are bringing in regulations that affect the fit-out and construction of caravans, campervans and other vehicles you would actually do physical testing within the industry to ensure everything works out as planned. Um… no. The regulations weren’t tested and no, they don’t work. For the vast majority of motorhomes, caravans and other camping vehicles the planned new regulations do not follow international industry standards. And all due to the misguided assumption that vehicle campers using portable toilets just aren’t responsible enough to freedom camp. I estimate that the new highway across the Tararua ranges will be up and running with all bridges crossed well before the new regulations can be implemented, due to the many legal and technical issues. A technical regulation is binding in law but when it contains fundamental errors it cannot be implemented. At least travellers will soon be better off with the Manawatu Tararua Highway completed and looking forward to what’s on the other side. We can’t say that vehicle campers will be any better off with the new regulations that can’t be applied in the industry without millions of owners’ dollars being spent. So what are the failings in the new regulations? They only apply to council-managed land for free camping The new alternate regulation s (targeting vehicle campers without fixed toilets) primarily apply only for ‘free’ camping on council-managed land that is not a designated camping area, plus LINZ (South Island land). Where camping areas are designated or available for all campers, on private or commercial properties and other Govt land, clubs events etc. or where any payment (incl paid parking) is made, the new regulations don’t apply. Basically, outside of the ‘free’ council-controlled land the current self-containment standard with the blue card is fine. Cost If you are in a rush to move across to the new self-containment regime, and can find someone to do it, it will cost you the $120 levy to fund PGDB plus the cost of the testing. Strange and unnecessary venting requirements The majority of cassette toilets are industry designed as a sealed system and not vented externally. Under the new regulations the vehicle inspector/testing officer will be required to sign off that your waste water tanks, including your fixed toilet’s cassette, is vented directly to the exterior of the motor vehicle, and designed to prevent entry of birds and vermin. Though unnecessary, this can be done and tested. The alterations will cost an additional $600 + installation costs for each vehicle (for 50,000 NZ vehicles that is more than $30 million). Certifying that legionella has been prevented In addition, the testing officer, without scientific knowledge, will need to certify that your fresh water tanks/containers are suitably insulated or away from heat sources / direct sunlight to prevent legionella. This also applies to external and portable water tanks. Anyone gets legionella: the testing officers are liable. Who is brave enough to sign off on these? It is unlikely that any sane, self-containment testing officer will be happy to sign off on any self-contained vehicle in this situation, given that they are legally liable for any failings. Accordingly, it is highly unlikely that the new PGDB regulations will be able to be implemented in the foreseeable future. A long winding road yet For now there is no need to rush to get to the other side. With Government changes and a new Ministry of Regulation, it’s going to be a long and winding road for a while. There are still more bridges to cross yet, but it’s looking promising. Summer is here, for now, let’s all just get out and enjoy it. Gary Stoneley is co-founder of the All Points Camping Club of NZ and Managing Director of NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd . The regulations The regulations weren’t tested and no, they don’t work. 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 6 Summer 2023 , p 13

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing a focus on convenience, affordability, and expertise From rugby to pets — How Covid19 started the tail wagging on HELPP VET Katie and David Barton-Ginger The rugby years… It was November 2019 and we decided to return to Wellington after nine wonderful years in Hawke’s Bay, this time with our SPCA-rescued, golden labrador Stanley and our daughter’s ‘Gisborne bred’, beautiful, dappled grey horse, Danny. We thought our past house moves had been complicated, but this one took the cake! During those Hawke’s Bay years David kept working in Wellington at the NZ Rugby Union as the Digital Manager, the commute made easily worthwhile for those beautiful semi-rural Jervoistown, HB days and a big, flat section for our two kids, compared to our previous hilly Wellington existence! Once back in Wellington, life as we knew it changed forever, like it did for absolutely everyone. Covid 19 slammed into Aotearoa New Zealand in March 2020 and with that, the NZRU cut half of its staff, including David. How did HELPP Vet begin? Stanley, our loyal HELPP Vet CTO = Chief Tasting Officer It’s well known that walking helps you to figure things out when you have a problem to solve. Our local beach, Lyall Bay, proved an ideas-rich place, full of reassurance in those tough and uncertain times, as we walked Stanley up and down each day searching for our next life-move. As the now ex-digital manager for the All Blacks, David had been constantly exposed to new and innovative tech ideas, and many of them he’d filed away as possibilities for a business of his own that he dreamed of creating one day. Now was the time, and with part of his NZRU role being to video interview All Blacks, current and former, he’d seen and used the ever-expanding possibilities of video and real time communication. In his spare time, he would consistently ask himself what services people everywhere needed, services that included problems to be solved. He always came back to two options — babies and pets. Our children had grown and we’ve always had pets so the answer was obvious. On a family holiday, driving around Nelson trying to brainstorm this service, we came up with the name of HELPP Vet — two Ps because of the platform we’d chosen, able to link person to person. Finally, after spending years in the fast-paced and ever-changing world of sports and technology, David had spotted a gap in the market for a tech-forward solution around pets and instant video advice. He wanted to combine his passion for problem-solving with a desire to help New Zealand’s pet owners provide the best care possible to their animals. HELPP Vet was born — a telehealth advice service designed to be responsive, compassionate, and convenient for all, with a community of verified vet professionals available at all hours. With a life-long passion for travel, over 40 countries visited between us, it was obvious that providing vet advice to travellers and explorers also had to be in the equation of our new business, and the HELPP Vet planning began. What is HELPP Vet? The idea for HELPP Vet started with a simple observation: pet owners in New Zealand, especially those on the move, need more flexible and immediate access to veterinary care. Whether you’re taking a road trip, camping by a remote lake, or simply living in a rural area without a local vet, getting professional advice when you need it can be a challenge. HELPP Vet is an easy-to-use and intuitive telehealth platform that connects pet owners with carefully selected and qualified veterinary professionals through video consultations. It’s available anytime, anywhere, for when you need immediate advice about your pet’s health or behaviour. There are vet professionals joining from countries other than New Zealand, so the plan is to have all hours of the day and night covered, plus there is traditional and holistic advice on offer for your pet’s health questions. The languages on offer are growing as well, which I wholeheartedly encourage, being a life-long learner of Spanish since my decades ago night classes at Havelock North High School! Our intention with HELPP Vet’s design is to remove worry about your pet’s health or questions you may have, perhaps due to being a distance from your regular veterinarian or it’s after hours and you can’t get to a vet clinic. Instead of worrying, all you need is an internet-enabled device and HELPP Vet. With just a few clicks, you can speak directly with a vet professional through a video call, receive expert advice, and even get recommendations for the next steps in your pet’s care. There will be notes taken of your advice session by the vet professional you speak with, which you can access to share with your regular vet. This service isn’t just about convenience — it’s about peace of mind and reassurance. HELPP Vet is here to support you in the time of your pet’s need, offering affordable consultations that fit within your lifestyle. Whether it’s a minor concern or an emergency situation, the community of HELPP Vet professionals is always ready to help, guiding you with the utmost care and expertise. Why we hope HELPP Vet stands out for you ■ Available most-anywhere We know that as Kiwis, we are adventurous by nature. HELPP Vet recognises that this country’s geography can make traditional veterinary care challenging to access in certain locations and you’ll often be a long distance from your regular vet. By providing a virtual platform, HELPP Vet ensures that pet care advice is never far away, no matter where you are. ■ Carefully chosen vet professionals We choose the vet professionals available to you through the HELPP Vet platform for their current veterinarian registrations, expertise, compassion, and dedication to animal welfare. Each vet has undergone thorough vetting (pun intended!) to ensure they meet HELPP Vet’s high standards. ■ Affordability We get it that veterinary care can sometimes be expensive, especially when it comes to emergency consultations or after-hours care. We’ve had our fair share of cat, dog and horse bills. HELPP Vet offers a cost-effective alternative (rates starting at $25 for a 10min call), allowing you as a pet owner to get timely advice without the hefty price tag. And because the service is pay-as-you-go, you only pay for what you need — we don’t ask you to pay expensive memberships or subscription fees. ■ Easy to Use One of our primary goals for HELPP Vet was to make the service as straightforward as possible for you. The platform is intuitive and designed with you, the pet owner in mind. All you need is an internet- enabled device, such as a smartphone and a few minutes to register. From there, it’s as easy as clicking a button to start a consultation. Your smartphone is ideal because you can then show your pet to the vet professional through your phone screen. ■ Peace of Mind for Pet Owners HELPP Vet isn’t just a service; we hope it’s also a companion for pet owners. Giving you immediate access to veterinary professionals means you can avoid the stress and anxiety that comes with wondering what’s wrong with your pet. Whether it’s a routine question about your dog’s diet or an urgent concern about your cat’s health, HELPP Vet is here to guide you through it and help you with next steps. How Does HELPP Vet Work? It’s as simple as 1-2-3: 1. Search for a vet: Even before you register you can browse the profiles of the vet professionals and choose one that suits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a general consultation or specialised advice, there’s someone ready to help. 2. Register: Sign up or login and enter your payment details. The process is quick and easy, and you’ll be guided through each step. 3. Connect: Start your video call with a vet professional and discuss your concerns. The vet will provide expert advice, suggest options, and offer next steps or a personalised plan if needed. Three and a half years later… Now we’re at the end of 2024, we can easily say that the last three and a half years have been a giant combo of tough, energising, laborious, expensive, exciting and overwhelming as David has worked night-owl hours with tech developers to bring HELPP Vet to life. A side note to all this: As a dedicated English language teacher since the 1990s and a confirmed logophile, I have always been the person teaching people to speak English and a fantastic part of this for me has been my exposure to all the wonderful mother tongue languages that these students bring with them. Now, it’s a strangely regular, but fantastic thing for me to overhear David speaking online in English with tech developers from all around the world whose first languages are Arabic, Czech, Mandarin, Spanish or Urdu! The enormous shift that HELPP Vet has brought into our household and lives has been phenomenal and we’re so excited to share it with you all. We know the veterinary industry is struggling because of a worldwide lack of vets and we really hope that our service helps to fill some of that gap. The HELPP Vet platform represents a significant tech shift in the way everyday Kiwis approach animal health, with a focus on convenience, affordability, and expertise in the equation of care. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, city dweller or a rural adventurer, or all three!, the HELPP Vet team (including Stanley CTO!) is there to support you and your pets, providing timely advice and peace of mind. For more information, send an email to katie@helpp.vet or to sign up, visit our website: helpp.vet We’d love to have you in our community of Kiwi pet owners giving HELPP Vet a go. ◊ helpp.vet | support@helpp.vet Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 27

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Staying safe solo Miriam Richardson Walking alone along the water race path had me worried. Read Walking the Race I had quite a few thoughts about the staying safe aspect of this walk. I was just lucky I didn’t slip or get vertigo and fall. Travelling alone and walking alone has risks and being in places with no mobile coverage has its risks. The hydro scheme site had no internet or mobile coverage when I was there. Personal locator beacon (PLB) Some people invest in a locator beacon, whch is useful not only when walking, but also when in your motorhome. They cost $300–500. When you get into trouble you trigger the alarm and wait for rescue. More: DOC: ckw.nz/doc-plb Rescue Coordinanation Centre: ckw.nz/rescue-beacon Personal safety phone app There are a variety of apps that work in different ways. Some are designed for walking to your car in the dark — hold the button down: if you take your finger off a distress message and your location is sent to bring help. I settled on the Get Home Safe Personal app, a NZ-made app with a good funding model. ckw.nz/get-home-safe With this app, you set a time when you will check back in, and tell it what to do if you don’t. It can send a text (costs) or a message. You tell it who to send the message to, and what to say. You can buy 10 texts for 3.99, and you buy more when you need them. Emails are free. While it is in action, the app monitors your location, sending to its server every 2 mins, or, if you are out of coverage, storing the data for when it next can send it. When it helps: if I feel really unwell at night (will I be capable in the morning?) with a morning check in; are those people a threat to me? with a 10 minute check in; if i am not back from my walk in 1/2/3 hours; driving in snow/ice/weather where there is no coverage: if I dont check in in 2/3/4 hours; travelling out of mobile coverage, if I am not back in contact in 2/3 days. My message can say what my plans are, where I am located and / or travelling, and whether or when emergency services should be involved. Parked up a valley with no coverage, its a bit late: you have to plan in advance. You need a reliable person to receive your messages and act on them. I ask them to try to contact me first (did I just forget to check in?) and take action if they are unable to reach me. Which to use? The PLB is not tied to mobile coverage and has official, automatic responders, while an app requires preplanning and relies on others, but has more permutations and more general uses. Use both! More on Get Home Safe Personal Set up an account, so that your phone is connected and safe with their server. Log in if you already have an account. Set up notifications, and purchase some SMS messages if email would be too slow. Create an activity or set a timer. You can create a custom activity like Health concern, if the standard list does not fit. Tell it what to do if you dont check in on time. Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 25

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Check your wrrant Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are valid? Which cards are valid? Certified Blue before 6/23 , any toilet OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025 (or until your card expires, if earlier). Certified Blue before 6/24 , fixed toilet OK to freedom camp on public land† until 6 June 2025(or until your card expires, if earlier). Certified Blue, portable toilet You may not freedom camp on public land†. Certified Green (fixed toilet only) It is OK to freedom camp on public land†. Lasts 4 years. All are OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (that isn’t LINZ or council-controlled land), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. † What is ‘public land’? All land managed by district and local councils is covered. This can include land otherwise controlled by NZTA, LINZ or DOC. Currently LINZ has 5 freedom camping areas and the new law applies. The new law now applies to DOC sites that require self-containment. ◾️ ckw.nz/linz | ckw.nz/doc-csc Avoid fines and hassles: identify your self-containment The new freedom camping law specifically states that ‘short term parking’, and ‘day-trip excursions,’ are not freedom camping. Recovering from driver fatigue continues to be allowed, and is, specifically, legally, not ‘freedom camping’. Enforcement An enforcement officer may inspect your warrant card . If asked, you must produce the self-containment certificate . An enforcement officer may not inspect inside your vehicle. Where to get you vehicle self-contained ◼️ Images: ©2024 Camping the Kiwi Way Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 2

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption the perfect gift idea for a camper in your life The Slow Road Jonathan Collins I caught up with the authors and fellow camping adventurers of this amazing book, The Slow Road, which is available from ckw.nz/allenandunwin Kirianna is a Kiwi and Lockie is Australian; after the pandemic grounded Lockie’s career as pilot, they and their three children travelled all around Australia in their custom-made kombi. They recently shipped their custom van to New Zealand and spent most of 2023 travelling and documenting their trips around the country. Here is what they have to say about their book. “This guide documents our journeys through NZ from 2022 to 2024. It is an essential resource for anyone contemplating a trip by van or caravan, offering valuable information for camping enthusiasts, van buyers or renters, and individuals seeking sun and sand. The book includes details about the places we visited in both the North and South Islands, featuring recommendations from locals, hidden gems, cultural and historical landmarks, sunset and sunrise viewing spots, as well as tips for fishing, swimming, skiing, and experiencing NZ’s diverse natural and cultural wonders. “Moreover, it delves into kitchen essentials, healthy road-trip food ideas, and a collection of recipes, along with advice on where to stay, eat, play, and explore in key North and South Island destinations.” Kirianna and Lockie have been sharing their adventures through YouTube and Instagram. @theslowroad_ This is the perfect gift idea for that camper in your life who has everything or perhaps treat yourself to a guide and inspiration for your next adventure. I will be popping in-store to Paper Plus to grab a copy for our van. Happy reading campers. (ISBN: 9781991006585) Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 29