Camping the Kiwi Way, 9, Spring 2024
Cover image: Steampunk. ©2024 Margarte Earle
Gourmet snag
Q. What’s better than a gourmet snag on some fresh Turkish bread, with relish, cooked and eaten outdoors while freedom camping?
Steampunk— from north to south and back again
“It’s a chance to get dressed up and have some have fun” in Oamaru and Thames.
Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki in winter. I can’t get enough of this place. Freedom camping! ©2024 M Richardson
The re-build of my Toyota van
When I built the van, I knew that sometime later I would have to upgrade it.
The West Coast in winter
One winter’s morning in June, my son and I spontaneously took the campervan on a road trip up the coast.
Solar basics for dummies
Solar power for us campers is a simple process. All you need is a solar panel, a solar controller, and a battery.
Converting your camper van: The Cruzar Campervan story
We’d been converting campervans as a hobby for a few years and discovered we loved building and creating things together. Plus, we were tired of our dull 9–5 jobs…
Caravan at Whanganui Vintage weekend
Vintage caravan at a Whanganui Vintage weekend 2024 ©2024 Margaret Earle
Towing your caravan — tips, tricks and weights
Firstly, make sure your caravan is ready to move.
Buyer beware
At the time of writing this, the caravan still sits empty, untouched in our back yard. We are in discussions with our lawyer.
Buying used caravans
Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention.
Cautionary tyre tale
Passing over a bit of road where the rumble strip had been removed but not filled in, my tyre got stuck in the rut and shredded.
A great great grandchild
A multi-generation caravan and great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove
A night in an arboretum
I filled the fridge, tossed in some clothes, a hot water bottle, the dog and hit the road
Beautiful obscure things
When you are out camping you notice beautiful and obscure things. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock
A winter day on Farewell Spit
Winter is not the best time to visit Farewell Spit from a bird point of view, but I was there, so I took the tour anyway, and it was spectacular.
On the shoulder of a god
I had a great view of Mt Ngāuruhoe on my first day there, though it was invisible for the rest of my stay.
Home roasted coffee beans
Sitting under the awning, I enjoy a read or an ale while roasting coffee beans.
Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki, freedom camping in Winter: I cant get enough of this place. Any season. ©2024 M Richardson
Freedom camping and self-containment
Where are we at? At a government level, a council level, a certification level, at a camper level.
Developing an innovative camping toilet solution: Fix-a-Potty™
In short, I designed Fix-a-Potty™ for the campervan community to provide more affordable and compact toilet options, with the intention of helping everyone continue to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer.
A new cassette toilet for small spaces: The making of the BlackMOA™
A response to a legislative challenge has brought us the compact, front-opening BlackMOA™ Cassette Toilet
Fix’n’Rail
Due out late October, the Fix’n’Rail is a heavy duty sliding rail and secure bracket that lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area