9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Opoutere Campground, Opoutere, Stop and Stay, Coromandel. Stop and Stay Campground at Opoutere Opoutere campground Campground, Opoutere, Stop and Stay, Coromandel. Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 13

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption stories from a spring of camping Springing Many campers See your camping stories from spring. Tents. Weather. The night sky. Places to go, places to stay, things to do. GO Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 11

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption The lake behind the dam. Lake Aratiatia ©2024 M Richardson The car park. ©2024 M Richardson The car park fills up before the water release starts. ©2024 M Richardson Watch those rocks in the flow: one ©2024 M Richardson Watch those rocks in the flow: two ©2024 M Richardson Watch those rocks in the flow: three ©2024 M Richardson The froth as the water starts Looking down from the dam as the water flows. You will want to watch this more than once. Choose a different view point each time. ©2024 M Richardson Compare with previous Not only has the froth moved, but the cahnnel has fillled. ©2024 M Richardson Before the release These photos are from the lookout, at the end of lovely bush walk. These photos were taken 8mins apart, looking up towards the dam ©2024 M Richardson After the release These photos are from the lookout, at the end of lovely bush walk. These photos were taken 8mins apart, looking up towards the dam ©2024 M Richardson It is breathtaking watching the water fill the rapids. The Aratiatia Dam Miriam Richardson This is a magical free stopover in a humble carpark. In winter, at 10am, noon and 2pm, they release the water from the lake to fill the Aratiatia Rapids. It is spectacular. The carpark fills in the hour before the release, so time your arrival well outside of these times so you can get a suitable park. Its not particularly flat, so more choice is better. There are lovely walks and a cycle track along the lake. aratiatiarapids.co.nz It is breathtaking watching the water fill the rapids. These photos are from the lookout, at the end of lovely bush walk. These photos were taken 8mins apart, looking up towards the dam. ◼️ More release photos: Images: ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 33

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Setting up at Campfest. Bulls, Rangatikei. ©2024 Tracey Davis. Setting up at Campfest Tracey Davis Setting up at Campfest, Bulls, Feb 24. ©2024 Tracey Davis. (Rooftop tents will not be able to get a green warrant. Ed) Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 2

5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption tiny-pukaki-F.webp So incredibly gratefu The only ones at Lake Pukaki Lou Riches I can’t believe we are the only ones at Lake Pukaki tonight. So incredibly grateful to have captured these skies. ©2023 Lou Riches Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 10

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption More for councils and government, Issue 6 Editor In the Summer issue 4 Editorial 4 Self-containment certification: Which is yours? 4 What to do? Upgrade? Wait? 10 Who is advocating for NZers who go camping? 13 There’s no need to rush this summer: Is it better on the other side? 14 Fire safety: caravans and sleep-outs 15 LiFePO4 is a safe choice for a motorhome or caravan 23 NZ’s independent national network for self-containment Camping in action 8 You have to be here… 11 Biking the Waikato River Trails 16 Van tour of the op shops 20 Ten tips for a successful family camping trip 25 Sharing the summertime 27 50 years of camping at Morison’s Bush 33 Battle Hill Farm Forest Park 34 Stop and Stay 35 Events Articles on freedom camping and self-containment 2 The freedom camping law needs to change 4 Self-containment certification: which one is yours? 4 What to do? Upgrade? Wait? 4 Editorial — Caught in the middle 10 Who is advocating for NZers who camp? 13 There’s no need to rush this summer 23 NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 2

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Sedgemere Track Sedgemere Track is only open for six weeks of the year... perhaps the hottest six weeks of the year. ©2024 Simon Kennett perhaps the hottest six weeks of the year. A small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip Simon Kennett Sedgemere Track is only open for six weeks of the year... perhaps the hottest six weeks of the year. Mind you, I wouldn't want to be here during the coldest six weeks of the year. Super-exposed as well as 1000 msl -- this place must be brutal in winter. ©2024 Simon Kennett More: A small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip. ©2024 Simon Kennett Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 29

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption SS-tuppence-H-entrance_5.webp SS-tuppence-entrance_5.webp SS-tuppence-number2_4.webp SS-tuppence-cabbage-dog_1.webp SS-tuppence-pirongia_3.webp SS-tuppence-wellness_2.webp SS-cafe77-H.webp SS-cafe77-map.webp SS-cafe77-sign.webp SS-cafe77 sites.webp SS-reporoa--6.webp SS-reporoa--2.webp SS-reporoa--4.webp SS-reporoa--5.webp SS-reporoa--7.webp SS-reporoa-butchers-12.webp STOP and STAY Stop and Stay, Central North Island Maggie O’Rourke This summer I decided that I would go and check out some of the stop and stays on the website. What a delight discovering these places and new ones. Maggie O’Rourke and keltic star Tuppence, Pirongia One of my stays was at Tuppence in Pirongia — one couldn’t stop singing the Penny Lane song after that. I was greeted by Ursula our host and parked up and was shown where everything was, including water, recycling and compost bin. It didn’t take long before I felt like I was at home for my four day stay. I told Ursula that I was meant to have a water filter put in that day and when her husband got home from work he put my filter in free of charge and had a quick look at my tyres to see if they were okay as he works at the tyre shop in Te Awamutu. Truly blessed and grateful. They have a very entertaining dog, who quite happily stole a cabbage I was given off my lap and never gave it back. What a delight, chasing a cabbage-eating dog. Really enjoyed staying here. They have a lovely quiet rural property on the edge of Pirongia Village and are great hosts. They are 5 minutes away from the village by vehicle and about 15 minutes walk to the shops. Te Awamutu is 15 minutes away and the Mobil Station has the only dump station in the area (but no water tap). Ursula and her hubby are members of All Points Camping and have been running this park-up property in Pirongia for 10 years and have just recently put the price up from $5 to $10 non-powered, $15 powered per unit. Bookings essential. Open all year around and pet friendly. Pirongia village offers the following: a Four Square, hairdressers, bakery, cafe, the hive gift shop, book exchange at the community hall, psychic reader, colour therapist, massage therapists, acupuncture, Tai Chi, community classes, monthly and annual craft market, church, sports grounds, and river walk. The historic museum and visitors centre tells you the history of the area and famous people like Mary Scott (novelist) and the Māori wars. They have a walking map of archaeological redoubt sites in the area. Pirongia Heritage & Information Centre pirongiaheritage.org.nz . The next Annual Craft Market, which I highly recommend is on a Sunday at the end of September. There are also walks available on Mt. Pirongia which is a 15 minute drive from Penny Road at the Pirongia Forest Park. I highly recommend the nature walk for a picnic or an outing. ckw.nz/doc-pirongia The highlight of my visit was exploring the village, going to the heritage centre, the walks, seeing the future site for the Pirongia Wellness Centre where I had a picnic with my cousin, and the Sunday Food and Craft Market, on the last Sunday of the month at the community centre, where I got some fresh veggies and something crafty and small for my bus. Cafe 77, Manawaru Another great place to go to is the Community View Motorhome Caravan Park and Cafe 77 at the heart of Manawaru. It’s a lovely rural spot 15 mins from Te Aroha and 20 mins from Matamata. They have a lot of visits from cyclists doing the Hauraki Rail Trail and tourists. It was lovely seeing our All Points Camping sign on their park over property, in the cafe window and the flyers inside. They make good coffee and yo yo biscuits the old fashioned way —super yummy. Booking is essential to park in the self-contained camping area. They can fit up to 20 vehicles (for a group) but normally there are 10 spots to park-up on the grass. Open all year around. For $10 a night per unit, you have access to the toilet block, power points to recharge your bikes and wifi, as mobile reception is bad here — ask for the wifi password at the cafe. Bookings can be made at reception next to the toilet block or online. A post box is provided to pay after hours. Also on site are bike racks, a bike tool kit and an air compressor. Cafe/reception is open from 8am–3pm with the kitchen closing at 1.30pm.There’s a large event area with a climbing wall and plenty of seating onsite. Lovely spot to either stay, visit the historic old dairy company, historic churches, or have a beverage or something to eat. ckw.nz/camp-cafe77 Rosie and Brian’s, Reporoa What a hidden gem for a POP. I now know why it was recommended to me by members. Is it worth staying here? 100% yes! When I rang to book my stay I got Brian on the phone, with a huge welcome and the directions of 2 yellow vegetable signs and where to park in the 2nd paddock with the caravans. Of course his directions were spot on, but I still managed to overshoot the drive — if you’re heading either way and see the Reporoa sign you’ve gone too far. I tell you, what a welcome! I think why people stay is due to our lovely welcoming hosts Rosie and Brian. They have been operating this site in their paddocks for 8 years, back then it was a gold coin to stay and to help campers out. Brian is a master grower, not bad for 79, 80 this year. Their market vegetable shop and Rosie’s knitted clowns are for sale for cash only. It’s been a delight to stay here for a week learning about our hosts and having homegrown fruit and veges on the doorstep. People travel from Taupo to get their fresh produce here. Though not classed as organic with a certificate, it’s pretty close without that label attached. The vege shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8am– 5pm-ish. So what does this POP offer us? Well where does one start? The longer I stayed more I discovered. The cost is $5 per unit per night. ■ou need to be fully self-contained. Tents are welcome, but you need your own toilet. Generators are allowed but please be considerate. Vege shop is open to pay 7 days a week please put money in blue container if they are not in the house or garden. Open year round and no time limit on your stay. Pumice ground for winter stay overs. Potable water. Book exchange. Shelter hut and stage with a piano and couch. Compost bin. Fire pit and bbq area —firewood is available for a donation. Dogs welcome, on a lead. All ages and groups welcome (groups: book in advance). Members and non members welcome. Book your spot by contacting them by phone but please be considerate and don’t ring too late. Nearest dump stations: Rotorua, Wairakei BP (often blocked), Taupo and Kinloch. What’s in the area Fishing at the bridge or by boat on the Waikato River (Brian knows all the best spots); shopping or tourist activities in either Taupo, Rotorua or even the mountain. If you go to bookme.co.nz you may get a bargain of 20–90% off activities and food. Butchers Pool The best kept secret in the area is 19km away, towards Rotorua: Butchers Pool, a free thermal pool. It’s so secret that you think the Google Maps are wrong as there is no sign, but someone’s house numbers are on the fence. It seems the locals don’t want you to know their secret and the sign often disappears. Coming into the dirt road is like a tankers track narrow and rough, me poor girl got shook up a bit (the bus not me); I was praying that no-one took us on coming the other way as there is no room to pass. Toilets, changing rooms and rubbish bins are onsite. Hot thermal pools according to my thermometer sit between 40–42°C. Beware when you climb in as the steps are slippery and pay attention to the signs saying not to put your head under (to avoid bacterial meningitis, a danger at all natural hot pools). Reporoa is 21km away. Another delight. Reporoa Valley Traders & Post Shop; Awaken cafe (8am–5pm Mon–Fri), I highly recommend their coffee and food and the staff are so welcoming and helpful — I ended up asking umpteen questions on the area. The op shop behind the playground on the main street is open 11am–4pm Thursday only. There is a fish and chip shop (11am–7pm, every day). Bake House (5am–5pm/6pm); Reporoa Food Market plus Lotto (7.30am–6.30pm, every day.) The Woolshed Tavern offers drinks, meals, a bottle store and takeaway meals (11am–8pm or 10pm, every day); there is a car mechanic, a tyre shop, police, health centre, vet, and playground. Though Taupo is the same distance from Rosie and Brian’s as Reporoa, Reporoa is not as busy, you can find a carpark, find a seat at the cafe and you can relax way more. Bliss. Plus the Butchers Pool is free just up the road. Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 30

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing popular with families and tents Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve Heather Auckram If you are travelling along the Southern Scenic Coast then 10 minutes out of Riverton, turn off Highway 99 and follow the Thornbury Gropers Bush Road. A short drive along the road you will cross a bridge over the Aparima river and see Thornbury-Aparima Bridge Reserve on both sides of the road. It is free to camp for up to 28 days. It has a new long-drop toilet, gravel at the top section, grass at the bottom section and is sheltered from the wind by large trees. Be warned the grassy area gets wet and muddy after rain and many a vehicle has been towed out by the local farmer. It is spacious enough to easily accommodate large vehicles. It is popular with families, tents and all vehicles both self-contained and not, but never so crowded that you won’t find a spot. Do keep your pets under control as it is surrounded by working farms. The Aparima River runs beside the camp. Swimming and fishing are allowed but not during times of heavy rain as it can flood over the paddocks quickly. ◊ Images ©2024 Heather Auckram Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 20

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Vege nachos: Recipes for camping Margaret Earle and Graham Leslie Serves 4–8 This recipe is easy to make. It uses mostly tinned foods so is a great meal to make when you are running low on fresh foods or if you have no fridge. Increase or decrease the quantities of the ingredients depending on how many people you are feeding. Ingredients 1 Tbsp oil 1–2 onions (diced) Garlic (fresh or from a jar) 1–2 tins chopped tomatoes 2–3 tins chilli beans (not drained) 1 tin of black beans or pinto beans (drained) Small tin or sachet of tomato paste (optional) Veges, diced; a range such as carrots, capsicum, mushrooms, courgettes, peas, green beans Small tin of whole kernel corn (optional) Method Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onions and garlic and fry until starting to colour. Add chopped tomatoes, tins of beans and tomato paste (if using). Combine and bring to the boil. Add the carrots and any other veges that need time to cook. Cover and simmer. As the carrots begin to soften add other veges that need less cooking time. Stir often so the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. If the mixture dries out, add a little water. When all the veges have been added and are sufficiently soft, take the pan off the heat and serve. Depending on your preferences and what you have available, vege nachos can be served over rice or corn chips or used in tacos or tortillas. It can be topped with sour cream, grated cheese, guacamole, jalapenos or chilli sauce. Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 27

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Parua Bay PHOTO: Brendan-Pol Parua Bay PHOTO: Kyn Darrah Parua Bay Parua Bay PHOTO: Priscilla-Wickenden Parua Bay PHOTO: Brendan-Pol STOP and STAY Parua Bay: stop and stay Stop and Stay Parua Bay Whangarei Heads Road, Whangarei Beachside reserve with large flat grassy area and a boat ramp. You must park in the designated site that is indicated by signage. ■ Who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans; non-self-contained allowed. ■ If the site is full, you must move on. ■ Dogs allowed. ■ 3 nights max. ■ facilities: Toilets, vehicles up to 10m. ■ activities: Swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, walking. ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 35

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption On the cycle trail at Bannockburn Andrew Morton On the cycle trail at Bannockburn. ©2024 Andrew Morton Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 7