11 JUNE–7 JULY 2020
THE WAY FORWARD
TIME OUT IN TEKAPO
How has the lockdown impacted NZ’s RV industry?
Plan your perfect winter getaway
CAMBRIDGE: Where to eat, stay and play MATARIKI: When and where to see this special star cluster
ISSUE 195 11 JUNE – 7 JULY 2020 $9.95
KEEP YOUR COOL: TIPS FOR SAFE & WARM TRAVELS OVER WINTER
LOVING THE LOOP Whangarei’s Town Basin
MEET BUSTER THE BUS The 7-metre makeover
PLUS RV reviews, life on the road stories & more
“The freedom of the open road is seductive, serendipitous and absolutely liberating.” – Aaron Lauritsen
44 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
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CONTENTS 50
FEATURES
WHEEL ESTATE
14
THE WAY FORWARD
54
LA DOLCE VITA
20
LOCKDOWN DAYS
60
A WINNER FOR KIWIS
66
THE FAMILY SILVER
50
MATARIKI
A look at the impact of Covid-19 on the RV industry MCD's writers share their lockdown experiences Where and when to see the Matariki cluster and celebrate the Māori New Year
EXPLORE
The McLouise Fusion range NextGen Tekapo 700C Avida Silverton C7134SL
PEOPLE 74
A FAMILY AFFAIR
A look behind the scenes at the Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park
26
ENCHANTING CAMBRIDGE
78
JACKIE’S JOURNEY
34
LOVING THE LOOP
84
BUSTER THE BUS
40
TIME OUT IN TEKAPO
46
REWARDS OF THE ROAD
A look at some of the highlights of this rural Waikato township Explore Whangarei's Town Basin and riverside walk, better known as 'The Loop' Now is the perfect time to explore this beautiful South Island township Jill Malcolm shares her latest adventures from the road
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This month, Jackie and Gareth rediscover Wairere Falls Meet Jeff and Sue Scott, and their 7 metre bus, Buster
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34
On holiday for over 60 years.
The TrailLite story is a classic Kiwi innovation tale that dates back to 1954. Back in the day It was the 1950s and caravans were taking off. The ability to roll up and stay at some of the most picturesque locations in the country meant Kiwis were latching them to the back of their cars and hitting the road in droves. Innovation’s been in our family since 1954, and it was obvious to us that our skills as cabinetmakers translated perfectly to form the foundation for creating top notch caravan interiors. When the first one rolled off the production line it wasn’t long before our knack for it became obvious to the public too; they were lining up to get one of their own! Over the course of more than 60 years, we’re still family owned, and our continued commitment to quality, service and innovation has earned TrailLite the reputation as leading manufacturers and suppliers of motorhomes and caravans. Quality and innovation are our legacy Throughout our history we’ve built a reputation for setting the benchmark in cutting edge motorhome design
Auckland 77 Paerata Rd, Pukekohe
and expert craftsmanship. And we’re always looking to improve that by introducing new, exciting innovations. We search the globe for new trends and ultimately listen to our customers (or product designers, as we like to call them) to deliver the best motorhome experience and product on the market. So much choice We have over 20 different TrailLite models to choose from, with the option to upgrade and design your own bespoke interior flavour. Or you can choose from our carefully selected international range of Benimar and Auto Sleeper motorhomes and Bailey Caravans. We know New Zealand roads and conditions so only import the very best options that we know can handle them. TrailLite get together With TrailLite, you’re more than just a motorhome or caravan owner, you’re part of a family. Every couple of years we organise the ‘TrailLite get together’ where other passionate motorhome and caravan owners gather together to share their stories, swap tips, and generally have a good time.
Christchurch 61 Hayton Rd, Wigram
0800 872 455 TrailLite.co.nz
Why choose TrailLite? No matter if it’s a TrailLite built or TrailLite backed product, we’re all about enjoying life on the road. So, wherever you go, whatever you need, we have you covered. • With our TrailLite care programme your motorhome is covered by a little TLC. • We’ve been in operation since 1954 so you know we’re here for the long haul. • A full, comprehensive handover with our dedicated handover and after sales care expert. • We have the industry’s best resale values. • Our on-site, factory supported Service Centre in Pukekohe is purpose built and fully stocked with all the parts and expertise you need to keep your vehicle in excellent condition. • Built for your long term needs, you’re less likely to outgrow a TrailLite. Added up, this all amounts to peace of mind and a lower total cost of ownership.
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TECHNICAL TIPS 72
GET READY FOR WINTER
Tips on keeping safe as you travel over winter
EVERY ISSUE 8
EDITOR’S LETTER
12
INBOX
44
8 GREAT
88
RECIPES
Your chance to win a prize pack of books Spots to grab a 'selfie' A selection of tasty recipes from the newly released cookbook, Easy Keto Dinners
92
BOOKS
94
PUZZLES
103
PRIVATE LISTINGS
105
LISTINGS FORM
108
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION
The latest titles to hit the bookshelves Crosswords, Sudoku & more Looking for a secondhand RV? Check out our classifieds
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40
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EDITOR’S LETTER
L
evel one, woo-hoo! I hope you’ve come through the lockdown okay, and that you are now enjoying queue-free supermarkets and signin-free cafes. As I’ve started to catch up in person with colleagues, friends and the RV community, it’s been fascinating to hear about everyone’s unique experiences over the past few months. Some of our writers have shared their experiences this month; check out page 20 to read more. In this issue, we ask several RV businesses how they adapted to the sudden change in circumstances, and get their opinions on what we might expect in the coming months. It’s been heartening to hear that many of them are enjoying fantastic support, not only from existing customers, but also from those who are now ready to take that exciting first step into RV ownership. And what better time than now? Interest rates are low, tourist hot-spots and campsites are quiet, and there are some amazing deals from the tourism industry. I think our RV industry is in for an exciting time ahead. My guess is that now that many workers have cracked the code on working from home, they’ll be thinking about working from other places too – like in an RV while they’re travelling. If there is a silver-living to the pandemic, it could be that more people will begin to realise there are better ways of working, and that perhaps it’s easier than they first thought to find a work-life balance.
MCD PRINT UPDATE As you already know, since late March, MCD has been publishing online only. Throughout this time we’ve remained focused on supporting our advertisers and providing our readers with entertaining, inspiring content. And we’re pretty proud of the result. Over the lockdown, our team adapted to working remotely from home. We developed new systems, new ways of communicating, and some exciting new ideas for the months ahead (watch this space!). Initially, we were unable to print because magazines were not deemed to be an essential service. In addition, we needed to give our advertisers the time and space to adapt their businesses and find their feet before advertising with us again. But we’re pleased to announce that we’ll be back in print with issue 197, which goes on sale on 6 August. We’ll also continue to publish digitally, so you can enjoy MCD whether you’re home or away. If you have a subscription, rest assured that while we’ve been publishing digitally, your subscription has been on hold and will resume with issue 197.
Claire Smith, editor
MCD WILL BE BACK IN PRINT ON
6 AUGUST!
Lake Tekapo - read more about this gorgeous spot on page 40
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claire@nzmcd.co.nz
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EDITORIAL Editor Claire Smith | claire@nzmcd.co.nz Art director Kavita Kumar Image retouching Chrissy Pownall Digital content management Fleur Covich, Carly Hitchcock
CONTRIBUTORS Jill Malcolm, Jackie Norman, Heather Whelan, Lisa Jansen, Malcolm Street, Ewan McDonald
COVER Image by Kuntalee Rangnoi/swissmediavision
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FEEDBACK We value your feedback. Send all comments/queries to: claire@nzmcd.co.nz Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations is published four-weekly by MCD Media Ltd, Level 1, 29 Great South Road, Newmarket. PO Box 9438, Newmarket Distributed by Ovato Printed by Webstar
This magazine (and its websites) is subject to the New Zealand Press Council. Complaints to be first directed in writing to claire@ nzmcd.co.nz. If the complainant is not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Press Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143 or e-mail (info@presscouncil.org.nz. Further detail and an online complaints forms are available at presscouncil.org.nz.
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INBOX
INBOX Share your stories and feedback at claire@nzmcd.co.nz or Facebook.com/ mcdmagazine
Last month, we asked you to tell us about your first RV ‘escape’ after lockdown – where did you go and how did it feel being back on the road again? Our lucky was Diane Hogan, who shared “Our first trip with our camper was to Dannevirke. Lovely camping ground. Lovely walks.” Here are some of the other reader comments:
Sadly my first ‘escape’ after lockdown is still brewing in my mind. I plan to go into the bowels of deep dark Southland once it’s past the hardest of winter days! - Anna Sumicz Will borrow the in-laws’ motorhome and head to Northland for a long overdue visit with friends and family plus we will take the kids to 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga as they’ve never been. It’ll be fantastic, really looking forward to the freedom of being able to travel around NZ. - Julie-Anne Shanks We would love a trip around the South Island. - Theresa Davis Te Whaiti
12 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
We hope to go to Auckland to see our adult children. It will be our first trip away in our motorhome as we purchased it just before lockdown. - Raewyn Welsh We are hoping to travel around the South Island to show our kids our beautiful country. - Sally Laurie We went to our favourite spot Glendhu Bay, in Wanaka and are taking off to Nelson in early June. - Chris Allan We haven’t been anywhere yet, but hope to have a short trip in a couple of weeks when the wife has enough days off. - Bob Jones
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK AND WIN A PRIZE PACK OF BOOKS This month, we have another prize pack of books to give away. To be in to win, tell us about your favourite campground. Why would you recommend it to other motorhomers/caravanners? Email us at claire@nzmcd.co.nz or comment at facebook.com/ mcdmagazine. We’ll draw a lucky winner on 26 June 2020.
Our first trip away was this week. We went to Auckland, it was wonderful to be able to celebrate our granddaughter’s 8th birthday in person. Then back to the Waikato to meet up with two of my sisters. It was fun to be together again and have a lovely meal with a couple of glasses of red. - Rosslyn Welsh We are planning to go to the Wairarapa after Queen’s Birthday weekend, we have heard only good things about it. - Bronwyn Cavanagh Haven’t been out as yet - our plan is to ‘do Te Anau’ at some stage soon! - Angela Biggar Headed out last weekend from Taupo to Motutere (only 30 mins away). But it was so great. A bit nippy, the lake was so calm. Loving being out and supporting local businesses. - Les Pepper I don’t know yet but as soon as we get our staff back to work we can have a break… working since the 23 of March and still going strong. - Kat Matthews
Have not been away yet but thinking a trip to Wanaka or Lake Tekapo are in the pipeline. We are being careful about mixing with a lot of people as my husband’s health is compromised, that’s why reading is essential! - Lesley McIntosh Heading out 4th June for a few days to Seabreeze holiday park Whenuakite Coromandel, and its dog friendly so Meg can come too. - Corinne McCormick Heading to Queenstown. They can do with the help. - Lynda Mclachlan
We went around the block: Kaikoura, Twizel, Wanaka, Haast, Hokitika, Arthurs Pass. - Mary Howan This weekend was our first time in our ‘wine and bourbes bus’ since before lockdown and we are at Raumati beach living the view. - Stephanie Brown Had to go up to Cromwell from Invercargill on Wednesday for our RV’s first service. Walked down to the Historic Precinct while waiting and had never seen it deserted before. Great coffee there, though. - Mike Jenkins
Email your feedback to us at claire@nzmcd.co.nz or comment at facebook.com/mcdmagazine.
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FEATURE | MOVING FORWARD
MOVING FORWARD
IMAGES SUPPLIED
Wondering whether the lockdown period will affect the price of that RV you’ve got your eye on? Unsure if now is a good time to buy? MCD editor Claire Smith puts those questions to the industry.
NZ’s tourist hotspots are a bit quieter while our borders are closed (pictured: Waihi Beach)
14 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
O
ver the weekend of March 1315 this year, New Zealand’s RV industry was focused on the annual Covi SuperShow, one of the biggest events on the motorhoming annual calendar. Exhibitors from all over the country displayed their latest models, accessories, and all things motorhome and caravan related. Thousands of visitors attended the show – some researching their first RV, others looking to upgrade to their ‘dream’ motorhome or caravan. Just 10 days later, the entire country was in lockdown. Everything came to an abrupt halt. Plans were put on hold, businesses closed – some permanently. Our future became very uncertain, very suddenly. Now, as New Zealand slowly moves toward to return to a new normal, we’re thinking again about travel plans, buying that first RV, or finally upgrading to that ideal motorhome. But how has Covid-19 affected the RV businesses – and is now a good time to buy? MCD spoke with a cross-section of local suppliers to get their opinions.
NAVIGATING THE POST-COVID TERRAIN The RV industry in New Zealand has been enjoying a smooth ride over the past few years, with 2020 on track to be another excellent year. And while a significant number of local businesses will take years to recover, the RV industry is likely to enjoy a much faster resurgence. “We’ve seen a significant increase in demand and think there will be growth in our industry this year as people bring a motorhome or caravan purchase forward,” says TrailLite general manager Shaun Newman. “A lot of people have had overseas travel plans cancelled, but still crave travel and adventure. What better way to see your country than a motorhome or caravan?” Kevin Newton, director of RV & Marine Supplies in Hamilton agrees. “Lack of international travel will see a number of people spending on local tourism and that will result in increased demand for caravans (in particular) as they are a lower capital value/investment. That in turn is going to grow our marketplace further.
15
“Usually demand slows at this time of year as we head into winter. We’ve seen the exact opposite post lockdown.”
For the rental industry, the TransTasman bubble cannot come quickly enough – after all, 40 percent of all visitors to our shores come from across the ditch.” Mary Hamilton, marketing director of SmartRV – the New Zealand distributor of German motorhome brands Carado, Bürstner and HYMER – believes that while the RV industry will not be as badly affected by the recession as some, it won’t be totally unscathed. “Some businesses that were just holding on in the buoyant market will struggle to survive. Business closures will mean less choice for the consumer. However, in the long term, recessions are good for the consumer. A tough economic climate forces businesses to do things better in order to attract buyers.” Grant Brady, managing director of Action Manufacturing in Auckland, says he’s already seen an incredible lift in interest in both buying RVs and travelling locally in New Zealand and Australia. “It is building each day, and successful promotions such as the recent THL special (offering RV rentals starting from $29 per day) are leading the way. They will help increase demand for RV purchases and travel within New Zealand.”
NEW WAYS OF DOING BUSINESS With the past few years being some of the busiest ever in the RV industry, the lockdown has provided a chance for many businesses to take a look at their systems and find ways to do things better. Mary Hamilton says the lockdown has been a great opportunity for many to reflect on their business. “The forced pause was just what we needed to relook at how we do things. We’re focusing on the things that matter most to our customers so that we can take the stress out of purchasing a motorhome. 16 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
“Usually demand slows at this time of year as we head into winter. We’ve seen the exact opposite post lockdown. We’ve extended our opening days and hours to better serve motorhome buyers. The pandemic has also given us the opportunity to look at how we can help motorhome buyers see inside our motorhomes without having to travel to our sales centre. Over the next while, expect to see a few exciting new virtual tools.” And it’s the same for many others in the industry, such as RV & Marine Supplies who used the time to fast-track progress on their new website. “We hope to launch the new site within the next 10 weeks,” says Kevin Newton. “It promises to be very special.” Likewise, the team at Nationwide RV took the opportunity to upskill and improve their knowledge and understanding of the RV industry. “Work on product development and looking at ways of improving and streamlining our services meant that right from the start of Level 2 we were ready to provide our customers with the best service and advice
available from our highly skilled team,” says sales manager Kane Innes.
WILL WE SEE AN EFFECT ON SUPPLY AND PRICE? We’ve seen a lot of commentary in the media about house prices being affected by the lockdown. Should we expect the same of RV prices? And will the worldwide lockdown mean supply disruptions? “Buyers should expect that motorhomes that were already in New Zealand before the lockdown will remain at the same price, given they were purchased well in advance,” says Nationwide’s Kane Innes. “However, future stock availability and pricing may be affected, and this will become clearer as other countries begin to emerge from lockdown.” “New vehicle prices will continue to be dictated by cost value, exchange rate, and availability from overseas manufacturers,” says Kevin Newton. “The global lockdown is actually seeing overseas dealer inventories being significantly reduced to satisfy increased demand as a result of people’s inability to travel internationally.
“This reduction in inventories is fuelling a shortage as manufacturers have been unable to produce at normal rates. US manufacturers in Elkhart (the centre of the manufacturing industry in the US) are about to move to six-day weeks to try to keep up with demand. This will feed into our local importers’ ability to access product.” Brent Thurlow from Taupo-based Central RV, New Zealand’s only authorised agent of premium German-made Dethleffs caravans, says that although the weak New Zealand dollar has had an impact on wholesale caravan costs, including shipping, his business is absorbing this to maintain retail prices as they were before Covid-19. “Manufacturing was only temporarily disrupted at the Dethleffs factory in Germany and will not affect the timing of our existing orders which are placed a year in advance of stock arriving in New Zealand. “The requirement to pre-order means our stock levels are stable, but the flipside is we can’t access additional stock quickly. Because our stock numbers are pre-determined based on forward ordering, 17
there could potentially be a shortage of supply.” TrailLite’s Shaun Newman says he doesn’t expect the pandemic to impact the production of New Zealand-made motorhomes. “We have forward forecasts in place with our international component suppliers, and despite them all going through their own shutdowns, we don’t see any supply issues that will hold up our own production. We also don’t imagine any price changes on locally made products.” Road Life in Tauranga, whose RVs are manufactured in Australia, was fortunate that the Melbourne factory didn’t shut down over the lockdown and was able to continue production. “Demand on the factory is high from New Zealand, as well as Australia. We are stocking up with Sunliner models now but still have some stock available for immediate purchase. My advice is to get in quick!” says coowner Michele Hunter. But what about RV rental companies who are now without their usual income from overseas tourists? Should we expect to see these rentals flood the second-hand RV market at bargain prices, therefore driving new RV prices down? The general consensus is that It’s unlikely. “While we may see some fleet rationalisation by some of the larger operators, and possibly some short-term ‘distress’ sales, most of those operators who are struggling are founded 18 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
in the lower end of the rental market and many of the potential vehicles hitting the market will be low value units,” says Kevin Newton. “Even with a relative flood of used units hitting the market, mainstream prices will hold up.” Grant Brady from Action Manufacturing says the majority of rental operators are going to be under huge financial pressure, so only the strongest balance sheets will survive, and most will need to reduce inventory over the next year. “If there are fire sales it could affect pricing, but financiers will not be keen to do that and will look at all options to move stock in sensible timeframes. Also, with very cheap interest rates, many businesses will opt to hold stock rather than fire-sale if they can.”
SO IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY? With international travel off the cards for some time yet, and our gates closed to the thousands of tourists who usually flock here every day, Kiwis now have a rare opportunity to explore their country with fewer people around. And what better way to do so than by motorhome or caravan? “There’s never a better time than now,” says Kane Innes. “But the best advice for anyone looking to purchase an RV is to purchase from a company or business that has stood the test of time and who will still
be here in the future.” It’s vital that if you’re a first-time buyer, you do your homework thoroughly, agrees Mary Hamilton. “Purchasing a motorhome is an expensive decision that you’ll want to get right. Over the past five years, we’ve seen an explosion of imported brands coming into New Zealand. Time will tell which motorhome makes hold up in New Zealand conditions and which are well supported by the dealer, especially with parts and service. You may see some good deals on some of the less well-known brands over the next few months but make sure you do your research regarding parts and service.” Brent Thurlow says that travelling in our own country is not only safer, but will contribute to the economic recovery. “Having a beautifully designed, new, luxury caravan means you only use your own kitchen and bathroom and you will never have to worry about who has used it before and how well everything has been cleaned. With the borders currently shut and a big question mark over when international travel will resume, there has never been a better time for Kiwis to explore locally. Doing this from the comfort of a superior quality caravan appeals to our nation’s love of camping and adventure, while enjoying a host of home comforts in your own safe space.” This winter will be the most opportune time for a deal but be wary of super deals warns Grant Brady. “The deal itself should
IMAGE: S WRAIGHT
stack up, and the company you deal with needs to be stable and secure. The last thing a customer needs is to find he has a vehicle with limited parts availability, or the seller has moved out of the business. The past five years have been a boom time for RV dealers, so many new businesses have started up, and some are not prepared for the rigours of an event like this. “Make sure the company you deal with has a history, ensure they have a ready supply of parts and can really support the product long term. I love NZ-made and the drive to buy local to keep this country working, but I am also a realist. The lightweight designs of European imports are popular, and most are great vehicles, so just check out the company behind the brands and buy from someone with a pedigree. “There will never be a better time to travel in New Zealand and Australia than over the next year or two, and there is no better way to travel than in a motorhome or caravan. Tourist operators and parks will have capacity, rental companies will have great pricing, and if the Australasian bubble is sorted out, travel links between the two places will offer years of travel opportunities for all of us. Travel in an RV is safer, with your own moving bubble, and what a great time to be on the road.” ■
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19
FEATURE | THE MCD LOCKDOWN
A LOOK BACK AT LOCKDOWN How was your lockdown? It’s the question everyone is asking each other now that we can move about and catch up with friends and family again. For the MCD team of writers, being in lockdown meant lots of local exploration, some new studies, and plenty of daydreaming of future travel.
Barge Park
HEATHER WHELAN Lockdown caught partner Malcolm and I in the process of searching for a new motorhome; we’ve sold our nine-metre bus and want something smaller. With normal life on hold, like everyone else, we turned to other pursuits. Luckily, I had plenty of books waiting to be read, or re-read, so on wet days I was immersed in other worlds. One that seemed particularly relevant was A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles. If the gentleman of the story, a Russian aristocrat, could endure a sentence of life under house arrest in Moscow’s 20 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Metropol Hotel, then surely, we could cope with a few weeks at home? We live close to walking tracks beside the Hatea River, so we could at least enjoy getting out in nature. We walked in one direction to A. H. Reed Park, where a loop track took us past kauri and a waterfall. While we were there, we took a side-track to check on the status of trees we’d helped plant last winter. The dry summer had taken its toll on some, but most were thriving, almost hidden amongst a swathe of weeds. Other times we hopped on our bikes and explored the local cycle tracks, getting as far as the harbour at Onerahi. At level three we drove across town to Barge Park, for walks with different views, feeling lucky to live in such a beautiful country. When the lockdown eased to Level 2, we were soon back on Trade Me, continuing the search for our next motorhome, and planning where we’ll go when we buy one. First stop will probably be Kerikeri, where we’ll enjoy some of the things we’ve always taken for granted: the markets, cafes and galleries and the freedom to visit them.
Heather’s partner Malcolm on the cycle track at Onerahi
LISA JANSEN
I have to admit things were a bit scary when the lockdown was first announced. Campgrounds were closing, and we were told to go home – which didn’t consider people like me for whom their camper is their home. But after I found my safe haven at the South Brighton Holiday Park, I actually enjoyed lockdown. The team at the campground did an excellent job looking after everyone, and I made some new friends, including my ‘bubble buddies’ Baxter and his owner Nicki. We went for daily walks on the beach and along the estuary, and I also got a bunch of work and projects done – including launching my new Podcast, Life Done Differently. I thought I would struggle being stuck in one place and not being allowed to do my favourite activities. But I enjoyed the time in many ways. It was nice having a base for a change, and not having to decide every day where to stay for the night. However, I was also happy that I could start making my way to the winterless north before it got too cold in the South.
JILL MALCOLM
Lockdown was a valuable experience. Even though my workload, and therefore remuneration, dropped significantly, my life was greatly enriched. It was blessedly quiet. I had time to reflect. I went through old stuff and threw most of it out.
Meeting my bubble buddies Baxter and his owner Nicki were the highlight of my lockdown
I intended to deep clean my house but never got around to it and decided it didn’t matter. Every day after lunch I rested and read and then walked along the beach and deserted streets. I thought about my life. I spent some delicious time in the garden. I connected with friends by phone and with neighbours (at a distance) that I’d struggled to find spare time for in the past. I felt as if I was floating from day to day and the theme that kept popping into my mind was that this was the way life was meant to be. I wasn’t bored for a minute and I didn’t miss anything because I knew it was for a finite time. And now that it’s done, I’m not going back to the old “normal”. I have a new one.
Jill’s garden was well tended over the lockdown
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MALCOLM STREET
Living in Australia, self-isolation for me probably started a bit earlier than for most people. I’d been in Auckland for the Covi Show over the weekend of 13-15 March. That was when the New Zealand Government announced that anyone arriving from overseas was going to have to self-isolate for 14 days. Within 24 hours the Australian Government had followed suit. I arrived prior to the New Zealand quarantine, so I was able to attend the Covi Show and then spend a few days travelling around Auckland doing a bit of work for MCD. The good folk at Wilderness Rentals had loaned me one of their Helix 2 motorhomes which was great, especially as at the time a motorhome was considered to be living in ‘self-isolation’. Little did I know then that my sojourn was going to be the last for quite a while. During that time, I did give myself a bit of
JACKIE NORMAN
One of the things we loved best when we first hit the road was the notion that we could escape anything. Floods, fires, earthquakes – whatever the disaster, we could just drive away. This, though? We could never have imagined. For the first time in four years on the road it made us feel vulnerable. All of a sudden, we were the kind of people nobody wanted, just because of our van! There is always a positive to every 22 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Camped up at Shakespear Regional Park
a holiday, spending a few hours exploring Shakespear Regional Park just north of Auckland. When I flew home to a few days later, it was straight home to quarantine. In our house, we have a guest bedroom and a guest bathroom which I used for self-isolation and whilst Mrs Malcolm understood the need to lead slightly separate lives, the family cat wasn’t quite as cooperative I already work from home so that wasn’t a lifestyle change, but getting out after my self-isolation for photo shoots on caravans and motorhomes was more problematic. Since the lockdown in Australia hasn’t been as rigid as New Zealand, I have been
able to do a few on a limited basis since that is classed as ‘work’. Apart from food and general shopping, the only real non-work-related reason for getting out of the house has been for exercise. It’s been funny to observe just how many people have suddenly became interested in getting fit. Our local bike shops (which, along with hardware shops have been allowed to open) have been run off their feet with both new purchases and bike servicing. We are not doing too badly in all these difficult times, but one thing I am looking forward to is when the so-called ‘TransTasman Bubble’ will be activated!
situation, however and mercifully, a lovely family we house-sit for offered us their empty holiday home in Napier. It was an area we had never visited up until then and we jumped at the chance to explore our new bubble, even in its limited capacity. We walked along Ahuriri Beach every day, as far as Perfume Point and back again and just breathing in the sea air and enjoying all the bird life really helped to keep us upbeat and appreciate our surroundings. Napier is gloriously sunny a lot of the time so that really helped us to stay positive too. For us, being freelancers working from home, our work didn't really change – in fact we were busier than ever, as I also managed to squeeze in a correspondence course and gain a qualification in nutrition! Being stationary for so long really made us think about what we want for the future. Do we want to keep travelling,
or do we want to be 'normal' and live in a house again? We've been round and round in circles and we still can't decide! But like many of us, we are counting our blessings and look forward to exploring our Hawke's Bay home more fully now we can.
What a stunning place to be quarantined!
ELISABETH EASTHER
What a strange time we’ve lived through, a genuine world first. As we emerge from our bubbles, in New Zealand at least, we’re all wondering how the world will change over the coming years, in every respect, but especially for travel. I have a significant birthday this year and very unpatriotically I’d intended
to take my son on a snorkel odyssey around some of Indonesia’s finest marine environments. I had it all booked – in my mind’s eye at least. Happily I’d not yet booked anything in reality, as the birthday isn’t till September. I had also said yes to a cycle tour around Rajasthan with my partner – it was for a travel story, and I was beside myself with excitement at the prospect of a second international installment of birthday shenanigans. And who knows if that opportunity will ever present itself again? At least not before another significant birthday rolls around in a decade. But these are minor bumps in my road, compared to what others have endured, but it does make me think - how will I celebrate half a century
closer to home, and support local tourism operators while I’m at it. My new plans include returning to The Chatham Islands, Stewart Island is also high on my list, I’ve also fantasized about riding all our scenic trains and taking my bike. Perhaps spending a few nights at The Chateau, riding and walking round there, then Wellington for a night, a decadent meal, a ferry ride followed by some pedaling around Picton and the surrounding Sounds. Then on to Kaikoura again by rail, for a whale of a time. Christchurch also calls, I’ve long dreamed of taking the TranzAlpine to the West Coast. I’d need a good couple of weeks to do it all justice – but that’s what I did, while stuck in my bubble, I imagined in manner of adventures and it helped make lockdown feel less confined.
The TranzAlpine is on Elisabeth’s post-lockdown wish list IMAGE BY TOURISM NEW ZEALAND
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EWAN MCDONALD
Lockdown, shelter in place … call it what you will. I live on my own and I work from home. So what could be so difficult about having to do those in lockdown as opposed to the usual routine? For the first couple of days, not very much. I had quite a few articles to write; I could indulge my hobbies: cooking, baking, reading, and committing to an intensive self-guided tour of the vineyards of the world (via the local supermarket).
There were a couple of flaws in this thinking. One, I’m a travel writer, and there’s not too much travel to write about when you are confined to an inner-city Auckland section that can be circumnavigated in 42 paces. Two, while it was wonderful to hear they’d finally completed the 374-year project known as the Waikato Expressway that runs from my driveway to my daughter Cate’s place in Hamilton, it was even more frustrating to know I couldn’t use it until Level 2 – whenever that was going to be. But you can’t keep a granddad away from his small people. The ‘teddy bear hunt’ was our way of communicating. Every day, I’d take Teddy Bear on my walk and send a snapshot to my grandkids, Jamie, Ethan, Blair, and Nicholas, of what Teddy had got up to that day. Teddy actually had a great lockdown. He got behind the wheel of a car. He played hopscotch. He rocked on a swing. He rode the neighbour’s mountain bike. He
Ewan enlisted a bit of help with his merlot tasting
baked muffins. He offered to critique the occasional merlot. The lockdown might have been tough on us people, but I think quite a few teddies out there had the time of their lives!
BILL SAVIDAN My early morning walk, Thursday 26 March was quite different. No cars to dodge crossing the road, very few people about, and an almost eerie silence. Some walkers spend their time listening to music or catching up with the news. I use the time to plan my day and sort out unresolved issues. Something about the jiggle-joggle of walking helps get the loose ends sorted. At the start, planning ahead was easy. Chores around the house were divided into two main groups, those that were achievable because I had all the ‘ingredients’ and those that couldn’t proceed until Bunnings re-opened. After a week or so, as the lockdown routine settled in, I felt flat. No spontaneous contact with family, friends and neighbours; no trips to the movies 24 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
The local beach was Bill’s go-to spot during lockdown
or cafe lunches, no short holidays in the caravan to look forward to. I could walk to the beach, I could walk along the beach, but I couldn’t stay at the beach. Worst of all, there was no weekend rugby on TV! What was a chap to do? Throughout my life I have always looked ahead. Not a lot of time has been spent looking backwards. My view of life is
optimistic, and an important aspect of this approach is having things to look forward to. The anticipation of upcoming events keeps my spirits high. By curtailing many of the pastimes I enjoy, Covid-19 has caused me to adjust my sights, to plan further ahead for some things and to try different activities so I keep positive by looking ahead.
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EXPLORE | CAMBRIDGE
ENCHANTING CAMBRIDGE
26 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Sanctuary Mountain
Located in the heart of rural Waikato, the quaint township of Cambridge is known for its artisan cafes, antique shopping, and picture-perfect scenery. In this extract, The Insider’s Guide editor Cheree Morrison shares a few highlights worth checking out next time you’re there.
T
wo hours from Auckland, 30 minutes from Matamata and 20 minutes from Hamilton and Tirau, the tree-lined town of Cambridge is as picturesque as they come, with the ribbon of the Waikato River the finishing touch. Established during the land wars as a camp for the Waikato Regiment, it was named for the Duke of Cambridge, cousin of Queen Victoria. On the opposite side of the river, Leamington began to develop, and while the two were joined by a bridge in 1871, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the two became known as one entity. Many of the almost 18,400 people that call Cambridge home commute to nearby Hamilton (24km east) while living in the more relaxed, rural setting of one of New Zealand’s prettiest towns (it’s true, Cambridge was a finalist in 2017 although the award ultimately went to Feilding). Though small, Cambridge is mighty, and many locals have made their name on the international stage of their chosen fields. Top cyclists train and compete at the Avantidrome, and many a horseman has found his match in these paddocks, with race-winning steeds bred in this area. The town pays homage to its equine legacy with a monument outside the town hall.
SEE THE SIGHTS SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN Te Tui a Tane: the weaving together of all things Tane (Maori god of the forest). The name of the largest enclosure on Sanctuary Mountain is apt. Anyone who walks this land is serenaded by a chorus of tui, robin, kaka and hihi, all singing the praises of this land, this sanctuary. The 3400ha maunga, Maungatautari, is protected by the longest predator-proof fence in the world – 47km of fence so well designed that even the sneakiest, slyest rat is yet to slip over its curved top.
Sanctuary Mountain is home to the hihi (stitchbird)
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Sanctuary Mountain has been recognised as a reserve since 1912, and the community, iwi and landowners united to form the Maungatautari Ecological Trust in 2001, creating what would become an internationally renowned community project and charitable trust. The mountain is divided into three sections; the largest is Te Tui a Tane with a 16m viewing platform and visitor centre, then the northern enclosure with variety of bushwalks, and the Tautari wetlands – one of the only remaining areas of wetland in the Waikato, with 80% of original examples ruined for farming. Stand still in the bush and see life flourish. Even when all seems quiet, the land hides secrets. Hollow burrows with softly snoring kiwi, kokako in the treetops, takake in the wetlands, giant weta in the dark depths, tuatara in the leaf litter. The best way to experience this place is with a guide, and Sanctuary Mountain offers a range of guided tours through the bush and wetlands, that last from between 50-90 minutes. For guests who prefer their own pace, it’s fine to explore without a guide for a small entry fee – all proceeds go straight back to the land. There is a small visitor centre with cold drinks, a small shop and toilets. Sanctuary Mountain also run annual health checks on their kiwi population, and spaces are available to the public who wish to take part in the tracking and monitoring of the little icons. There is a wait list that can be joined via the website. 99 Tari Road, Pukeatua (30 minutes south of Cambridge). (07) 870 5180, sanctuarymountain.co.nz
WAIKATO RIVER The Waikato River isn’t the easiest to get to know. It’s aloof and prickly, with hidden depths and periods of stormy moodiness. Starting from small streams on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand’s longest river (425km) spills out of Lake Taupo, tumbles down the Huka Falls, widens and softens at Karapiro and meanders through Cambridge, before journeying north to the coastal estuary at Port Waikato. While often picturesque and inviting (especially during the scorching summer months), the Waikato is more practical than personal. Once an important transport route for Maori, the waters are still popular with boaties, especially the sheltered waters of Karapiro. There are nine hydro-electric power stations and eight dams, which 28 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Waikato River
IMAGES: WAIKATONZ.COM, ROSE CREEK TOURS, CHEREE MORRISON, BELLEFIELD BUTTER, MIGHTY RIVER DOMAIN,
generate approximately 13% of the nation's power; and its banks are becoming an increasingly important tourist attraction, especially for keen cyclists. That being said, there are still lovely swimming holes and quiet river trails to be found – they may just be slightly off the beaten track. Here are a few to look for. The Cambridge Heritage Walk covers both the Settlers Track and the Soldiers Track. Starting from Bath Street on the town side, the route follows the river down to Fergusson bridge, then back to up to the bridge on Victoria Street (scared of heights? Don’t look down). This walk passes many historic sights and has good views of the river and town. For a heart-stopping view of the river, and an excellent view of a working power station, gather your wits and tip-toe on to the Arapuni suspension bridge. The 152m bridge was originally built in the 1920s to give workers access to the power station and is now part of the Waikato River Trail. Parking is off Arapuni Road, and the bridge is well signposted. Waipuke Park on Lake Karapiro has safe swimming, a playground and picnic spots –
it’s the perfect place to watch an afternoon drift away. There’s always some action to entertain on the lake as well – whether rowing, waterskiing or other water sports. Signposted from Maungatautari Road. Some sections of the cycleways are suitable for walkers, including the Te Awa Trail. Walk from the Avantidrome to Cambridge town centre (3.2km, including a section along the river) and from Cambridge to Karapiro (8km). The walkway is wide and generally flat, but do watch for cyclists, and vice versa.
CAMBRIDGE MUSEUM The Cambridge museum is small but perfectly formed. Located in one of the towns prettiest buildings, the two-room exhibitions focus on “bonding people and place” via a series of interesting displays. There’s an interactive switchboard to play with, tales of “furious riding and larrikinism” from the courthouse and the history of the Cambridge Camera Clubs. It’s full of charm and free of charge (donations appreciated, of course). 24 Victoria Street, Cambridge (07) 827 3319. cambridgemuseum.org.nz
ROSE CREEK SHEEP TOURS They’ve been called the ‘cutest sheep in the world’ and how could anyone disagree? With black faces and ears, long fluffy coats and wonky horns, the Walliser Schwarznasenschaf or Valais Blacknose sheep are a children’s soft toy come to life. Leigh-Anne and Andrew Peake have come a long way in a few years – as have their sheep. Their flocks began life as embryos created on the opposite side of the world, and after navigating a fair amount of red tape, they were able to import the would-be sheep and begin the breeding process. The first lambs arrived in mid-2018, and their flock has increased so much that they now offer sheep tours and are embarking on a natural breeding programme. Leigh-Anne and Andrew began offering farm tours after their sheep stole Santa’s thunder at the local Christmas parade. Rather than risk ending up on the naughty list, they decided to share their sheep with the public year-round. The tour takes about an hour, and visitors can cuddle the sheep to their heart's content. “These are basically the opposite of what sheep are meant to
“... there are still lovely swimming holes and quiet river trails to be found – they may just be slightly off the beaten track”
Rose Creek Sheep Tours
Cambridge Muesum
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be,” says Leigh-Anne. “They’re smoochy and come up for a nibble and rub as soon as they see you. They’re the friendliest sheep imaginable”. Once they’re snuggled out, guests can feed the two Gypsy Vanner horses a carrot or two, or in the spring, bottle feed one of the lambs. Tours are by appointment and generally after 3pm and can be booked via the Cambridge iSite.
ENJOY A SPOT OF SHOPPING Alys Antiques
ALYS ANTIQUES A selection of English, continental and Asian antiques from the 17th to 20th centuries may be the drawcard, but owner Jutta Mark is the unexpected delight of Alys Antiques. Having worked within the 50-year-old business since 1991 and owning it since 2007, Jutta is the master of this realm. Master literally – she recently received her Masters in Art from the University of Waikato, thanks to her thesis on cabaret in Berlin between 1900 and 1945 – written entirely in German. She began her career in her native Germany working in Berlin’s Nierendorf Gallery, before moving to Cambridge and working as a hypnotherapist. Antiques and art remain her passion – look for the range of pewter tankards and dinnerware. 87A Victoria Street, Cambridge (07) 827 6074, alysantiques.co.nz
ANTIQUES ON VICTORIA If Irishman Patrick Delany isn’t to be found behind the counter of Antiques on Victoria, there’s a good chance he’s on the hunt for wares in his European homeland. Antiques on Victoria specialises in large furniture items from the 18th to mid-20th century, and also offers an eclectic mix of art, jewellery, homewares and crystal. Some items may stump customers, including one wooden piece that’s caused many a furrowed brow. Guesses include a feeding trough, sled and a rather uncomfortable baby bath. The truth? Well, they may hope to make some ‘dough’ from it… 65 Victoria Street, Cambridge 021 244 4292, antiquesonvictoria.com 30 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Cambridge Farmers’ Market
Alexander Organics
“Everything on site is certified organic – including their home” COLONIAL HERITAGE ANTIQUES Ken Sheldrick is a man of many passions. While he is expert in rare books – with a varied collection rich in military history – Ken’s Cambridge store also has one of the largest collections of antique jewellery in New Zealand, with pieces dating back to the Georgian period (1714-1837). Colonial Heritage Antiques is a collector’s dream, with thousands of items tucked away in nooks and crannies and showcased in glass cabinetry. Ken is the keeper of their stories; he’s been behind the counter for 45 years. A former history teacher, Ken trained in London, shifted to Australia, then moved to Cambridge for love. While he admits the boom of antiques has faded, the demand for antique jewellery and books remains high – while Kindles may be easy, it turns out nothing beats the smell and feel of an old book. Corner Empire and Duke Street, Cambridge. (07) 827 4211, colonialheritage.co.nz
THE CAMBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET It’s hard to miss the Cambridge Farmers’ Market; simply follow the reusable shopping bag-carrying crowds to Victoria Square in the heart of town. For shoppers who love local, farmers’ markets have become an essential part of the weekend routine, it’s part grocery shop, part social event. The Cambridge Market has been operating since 2010, and runs year-round, every Saturday from 8am to noon. There’s an everchanging rainbow of local produce available, and a few treats to tempt (join the line for the doughnuts).
ALEXANDER ORGANICS There is no truer, fresher taste of the Waikato than that found in a glass of Alexander Organics milk. Jesiah and Ellen Alexander lease their 45ha Cambridge patch from her grandfather's farm and have established a herd of 115 dairy shorthorns and Ayrshire cattle, 15 of which produce pure raw milk for their on-site vending machines. “The milk is fresh every single day, and is wholesome and unprocessed”, says Ellen. “Every precaution is taken to ensure
we’re supplying clean and healthy milk; each cow has her individual teats hand washed, fore milk stripped and inspected for quality, sterilised with an iodine sanitiser, and then dried with a single-use paper towel”. The young couple, who met during a defensive driving course, have big plans for their on-site store. In addition to their self-serve milk vending machines, they also sell free-range eggs from their growing flock, and have recently planted an orchard. Everything on site is certified organic – including their home, which is no mean feat. Alexander Organics milk is currently only available on site. It’s BYO container or bottle for the vending machines, with reusable glass bottles for purchase. 133 Flume Road, Cambridge 027 517 1060, alexanderorganics.co.nz
BELLEFIELD BUTTER While cultured butter may sound like butter with discerning taste in opera, the truth is far more delicious (and less silly). Jan and Steve Dolan have been crafting butter in a shipping container next to their home for almost two years. The ex-Liverpudlians had been dabbling in traditional butter making, just like Steve remembers from childhood, when their
Colonial Heritage Antiques
Bellefield Butter
Cambridge Town Hall
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dream was given a nudge in the right direction by being made redundant within days of each other. Instead of starting the job hunt, they decided to was time to take their love of cultured butter to the market. “This is butter made differently – we used pasteurised cream but then reintroduce a lactic culture. After fermenting for 24 hours, ripening for a week then churned, Steve then handworks the butter.” The result is a smooth, rich, gold butter that shares only a name with the supermarket alternative. Their success has been quick – the Bellefield Chilli and Lime Butter won a silver award at the 2018 Outstanding Food Producer Awards, and both their butter and buttermilk have become popular with local restaurants. Find them at the Cambridge Farmers Market on Saturday morning and the Hamilton market on Sunday. bellefield.co.nz
STOP FOR LUNCH PONY Pony is a place for sharing – sharing food, sharing a bottle of wine and sharing stories. The Cambridge restaurant opened in 2017 and has become the go-to for date nights and after-work catch ups. The lively, bright space tempts diners in for a quick glass of wine and keeps them captive with delicious small plates bursting with an international flair. The Chef conjures sophisticated flavours combinations in a variety of Spanish tapas-style plates and raciones. The difference? Tapas are traditionally snack plates, while raciones are designed to, well, share. Good luck keeping any plate exclusive though, sneaking a bite is far too tempting. Try the PFC (Pony Fried Chicken). 55 Duke Street, Cambridge
Pony
PADDOCK
Paddock
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Lisa Allen originally planned for Paddock to be a takeaway joint, but one look at the crowded indoor space and tables of diners scattered across the footpath and it’s clear that something went happily wrong. This busy local favourite is the place to go for loaded bagels, bulging burgers and all-day breakfasts of all persuasions – porridge for the pious and buttermilk waffles for the easily tempted.
Mighty River Domain
There is a takeaway window for coffee lovers on the move (Supreme coffee too), and they also have the obligatory green smoothie – just the thing to wash down a still-warm cronut. Like the name suggests, everything here is as fresh and local as possible, made with organic fruit and vegetables and free-range meat. Open for breakfast and lunch. 46 Victoria Street, Cambridge (07) 827 4232, paddockcambridge.co.nz
STAY A W H I L E
LITTLE WAIPA RESERVE Located off Horahora Road and on the path of the Waikato River Trail is Little Waipa Reserve. The large reserve is located right on the river's edge, with access for kayaks, boaties and fishermen. Camping and campervans are welcome here – there are decent facilities including toilets and barbecues. Contained campers can park for two nights free of charge, but those in tents and freedom camping must obtain a
permit from the South Waikato Council. Permits are free of charge and application is easy via their website. southwaikato.govt.nz
“The large reserve is located right on the river’s edge, with access for kayaks...”
MIGHTY RIVER DOMAIN, LAKE KARAPIRO Park up the campervan, pull out a deck chair and enjoy the free entertainment at the Mighty River Domain. Located on the edge of Lake Karapiro, this multifaceted accommodation site has prime views of all of the watersports and activities that take place on the water. The campground has 140 sites, which can be hired individually or as blocks. There are a number of chalets that sleep four in bunk beds or, for the rather large group, the Rob Waddell Lodge sleeps 41 people. It pays to check the events schedule before booking, as many weekends see large groups and activities setting up camp. In late March 10,000 spectators and 2000 rowers descend on the lake for the Aon Maadi Cup, the National Championships for school rowing – plan accordingly. ■ 601 Maungatautari Road, Leamington (07) 827 4178, lakekarapiro.co.nz
Extracted from the 2020 issue of The Insider’s Guide to New Zealand, New Zealand’s leading independently researched travel guide. To order your copy, visit thisnzlife.co.nz/shop $19.90 plus handling and postage
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EXPLORE | WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN
There are some options for lunch around Whangarei’s Town Basin
LOVING THE LOOP From clocks to cafes, markets to boat trips there’s something for everyone at Whangarei’s Town Basin and along the riverside walk known as ‘The Loop’.
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hangarei’s Town Basin has long been a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike. There are shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes housed in colonialstyle buildings overlooking the marina. As well as Whangarei-based boats, there are ocean-going yachts moored in the basin, as international visitors sit out the Pacific hurricane season, or decide on a longer stay. Even though I’m a local, I always
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find something new going on Quayside and along the Hatea Loop. First stop for visitors should be Te Manawa, The Hub. This building is one of Whangarei’s information centres and the staff have a wealth of local knowledge. There are lots of maps and brochures to peruse – I picked up the latest visitor guide as I felt I should learn more about the places and sculptures I walk past so regularly.
INSPIRED ARCHITECTURE
The Hub is more than an information centre; it also houses Whangarei Art Museum Te Manawa Toi. The gallery curates a variety of exhibitions, as well as displaying art from its collections. Entry is by donation and it is well worth a look.
On this occasion though, I was drawn to the colourful, funky model of Whangarei’s newest building project, the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Maori Gallery (HAC). Admiring the organic form of the architecture, I was reminded that the Hundertwasser Centre will be radically different to the surrounding architecture. When completed it will be a unique feature in Whangarei and is expected to draw visitors from around the country and overseas. Outside on Quayside I wandered up the spiral ramp inside the folly building called Te Kākano (The Seed). It is a little koru-shaped building, something like a tiled lighthouse with round windows and ball-topped pillars. It was built in 2016 as
A lovely spot to stop and admire the scenery
a precursor to the 100-times bigger HAC development behind it. From the top I peered across the building site and tried to imagine the completed structure.
GORGEOUS GALLERIES
Specialty shops beside the water
Along the pedestrianised Quayside there are a cluster of speciality shops and galleries. The Bach sounds suitably seaside-like but its name is actually an acronym – Basin Art and Craft House. Every item on sale here is produced locally but don’t be misled, this isn’t an amateur set up, the Bach Gallery sells quality products with a Northland vibe. On the waterfront nearby I checked out Burning Issues Gallery. As well as being able to browse and buy handmade glass, paintings, jewellery and ceramics, visitors can watch glass blowing from a viewing platform at the rear of the shop. Glass artist Keith Grinter also holds beginners’ workshops.
DINING BESIDE THE RIVER
IMAGES BY HEATHER WHELAN
Te Kākano (The Seed)
From a casual ice-cream on a hot day, or dining with the water lapping beneath your feet, there are plenty of options at the basin. There are cafes with courtyards and shady sun umbrellas, where you can grab a coffee or enjoy a lazy lunch watching the activity on the water.
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The Town Basin marina is a haven for the yachting community
The Fudge Farm is everyone’s idea of an old-fashioned sweet shop, its shelves packed with varieties of fudge and other sweet treats. Started in a farmhouse kitchen using a family recipe, the Fudge Farm shop is a popular spot – and not only with the children. As well as fudge, you can enjoy espresso, cool drinks, ice cream and desserts on the tables outside. I chose one of the delicious ice cream options to enjoy while I looked around at the nearby restaurants. Next door, No 8 Restaurant and Bar provides dining in a stunning hexagonalshaped building. It has a white-painted, balustraded balcony on the second floor and is topped by a little tower. But arguably the best location for brunch or dinner is at the Quay, where the restaurant’s deck is right over the Hatea River.
MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER
Not only can you sit and admire the yachts, but out on the water there’s the option of hiring an aqua cycle or kayak and, on summer weekends, the MV Waipapa offers cruises along the harbour to Matakohe-Limestone Island. Once home to a thriving industrial village with a post office and school, the island is now a nature, scenic and kiwi reserve. 36 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Claphams Clock Museum
FOR THE KIDS
Ice cream finished, I set off to walk the loop. At the start of the walkway another unusual building houses Claphams Clock Museum. This museum is home to the largest collection of timepieces in the Southern hemisphere, everything from rare antiques to fun and strange clocks. It’s a great place to take kids. Outside there’s a huge sundial, and beside it an area of grass destined to be home to a rolling ball clock. Unsure what this was, I followed the signs to a nearby workshop where I discovered the About Time Project. Volunteers have been working for several years to create what looks like a giant marble-rolling toy. In reality, this kinetic sculpture is an accurate timepiece and an amazing piece of engineering. I don’t claim to understand how it works but I stood mesmerised by the rolling balls and clicking cogs. The enthusiastic builders are fundraising so the rolling ball clock can be moved to its new home beside the river.
MARKETS AND MORE
Reyburn House
Back on the brightly painted wooden walkway, children were having the time of their lives on a popular adventure playground. Just beyond the play area is Whangarei’s oldest house. A true colonial gem, white-painted Reyburn House is surrounded by a pretty cottage garden and is a gallery for local artists. During the summer, this grassy area is the venue for markets. On Saturday mornings there is a craft market with stalls full of artwork, handmade soaps, garden art and much more. There’s a coffee caravan and live music if you just need to sit and chill for a while. On Friday evenings foodies gather at the night market where stalls sell multicultural cuisine.
WALKING THE LOOP
The Hatea Loop Walkway Huarahi o te Whai runs for 4.2km from the Town Basin (or other points along its length) crossing bridges and linking both banks of the Hatea River. It’s about an hour’s stroll, and is a shared path, so watch out for cyclists. Heading south from the Town Basin, the walkway leads past 16 different sculptures. These range from quite small to enormous and are constructed from diverse mediums, from marble to steel pipe. Outside Reyburn House I admired Lottie by Kap Pothan, commemorating the first child born to the Reyburn family.
The gypsy fair market
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Mural on the loop
circus and the Gypsy Extravaganza Fair when they make their annual visits to Whangarei. On Hatea Drive walkers pass a small marina and cute boathouses, before coming to my favourite coffee stop. Tiny Kafe, tucked at the back of a surf shop by the marina, has a courtyard shaded by a huge old pohutukawa. It’s a great spot to watch all the activity on the other bank before wandering back beside the river and over the Canopy Bridge, its awnings designed to look like sails. ■
Pocket Park
A contrast is Kaitiaki, a two-metre-tall guardian figure carved by Manos Nathan. Probably the most eye-catching sculpture is Chris Booth and Te Warihi Hetaraka’s Wave and Waka sculpture, featuring an enormous stone wave suspended above a canoe. This celebrates the history of the site as a landing place for Māori and European alike. Information panels relating the history and mythology of the area can be found beside the path. The next section of the loop walk took me over a footbridge, Kotuitui Whitinga, which is sculptural in itself and studded with paua. This bridges the Raumanga Stream, which empties into the river at this point. On the right, the Pocket Park is another entrance to the loop. The Pocket Park, and Bascule Park close by, have been recently developed and feature murals and attractive plantings. Bascule 38 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Park has motorhome parking and a popup cafe. One of the most photographed parts of the loop would be the award-winning Te Matau ā Pohe (the fish hook of Pohe) bridge. The design is inspired by the shapes of Māori fishhooks and waka prows. This bridge across the Hātea River opens to let yachts pass through on their way to the Town Basin Marina. The loop walk continues along the far side of the river, past the site of another upcoming project, the camera obscura. This 8-metre structure will be an interactive sculpture which promises to give visitors unique views of the surroundings. The final stretch of the walk passes beside the William Frazer Memorial Park, home to a skateboard park and a BMX track. The park is also the venue for the
FURTHER INFORMATION There are two places for motorhomes to park beside the loop. Bascule Park has eight designated places for non selfcontained vehicles (there are toilets at the park). Self-contained vehicles can stay at the car park on Reyburn House Lane. There is a maximum of three nights at both spots. Te Manawa The Hub Information Centre is open seven days: Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.00pm, and 9.00am-4.30pm on weekends.
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EXPLORE | TEKAPO
TIME OUT IN TEKAPO
SOURCE: TOURISM NEW ZEALAND/MARK GEE/ROB SUISTED/CHRISTCHURCHNZ.COM/MT DOBSON SKI AREA/HEATHER WHELAN
Lake Tekapo is a turquoise gem in the legendary Mackenzie region’s crown, and with our borders closed to international visitors, now is the perfect time to enjoy this beautiful area.
Tekapo Springs
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L
ocated at 710 metres above sea level, Tekapo’s alpine village overlooks Lake Tekapo – the ninth largest lake in New Zealand at 87 square kilometres. The area is a photographer’s paradise and a must-see destination for every visit to the Mackenzie region. From the dazzling displays of lupins in summer, to the snow-covered alps in winter, every season provides a different view of the awe-inspiring scenery. Here’s a quick look at just some of the activities, beautiful places to stay, and great places to eat and drink while you’re there.
STARGAZING The Mackenzie region is home to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and the incredible stars are simply breathtaking. You can stargaze by yourself but if you want to learn more about the night skies and use telescopes, there are two business that run stargazing experiences. Silver River operates small tours on 25,000 acres of farmland near Tekapo. They also offer astrophotography tours. Tekapo Star Gazing is the only hot pools and stargazing experience in New Zealand, combining
an introduction to the night skies with telescopes followed by a relaxing soak in a 38oC hot pool. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs.
SKI AND SNOWBOARD Tekapo has two ski areas that have a laidback vibe, uncrowded terrain and some of the best views in the world. Mount Dobson Ski Area is 45 minutes from Fairlie and provides an awesome day out with trails for all abilities, including a huge learners area with all day sun. Their Foote Rest Café serves great coffee and famous Fairlie Bakehouse pies. Roundhill Ski Area is a 35-minute drive from Tekapo and has breathtaking views of Aoraki Mt Cook, the Southern Alps, and Lake Tekapo. There are a wide variety of trails as well as Australasia’s biggest vertical drop at 783 metres. The Base Lodge café and Von Brown Hut are both licensed and provide quality refreshments. You can also fly onto, and ski, the Tasman Glacier or go backcountry ski touring in the Two Thumb Range, Liebig Range or on the glaciers of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Mt Dobson
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“A scenic flight affords spectacular views of this unique environment, from snowy mountains to braided rivers to numerous glaciers”
ALPS 2 OCEAN CYCLE TRAIL The alternate start of this epic cycling trail begins in Tekapo and is an easy to intermediate grade along the 54 kilometres to Twizel. The section by Lake Pukaki is particularly scenic with Aoraki/Mount Cook visible on a clear day.
AORAKI/MOUNT COOK A visit to the Mackenzie Region isn’t complete without a pilgrimage to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, the mighty Aoraki/Mount Cook. It’s a 90-minute drive from Tekapo and offers many walking tracks which are suitable for people of all abilities. The Hooker Valley track is one of the most popular with spectacular mountain views, alpine streams and impressive swing bridges. Aoraki/Mount Cook Village has good cafes and restaurants well as an excellent DOC centre with interesting information and displays on this Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area.
Cycling the Alps 2 Ocean trail
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD The iconic Church of the Good Shepherd is located on the shores of Lake Tekapo. The church was opened in 1935 and is the sole church in the township. The majestic setting attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s a beautiful spot to simply soak in the views, feel connected to nature, and to take some lovely photographs.
FLIGHTSEEING See the Mackenzie in all its glory from above! A scenic flight affords spectacular views of this unique environment, from snowy mountains to braided rivers to numerous glaciers. There are variety of different scenic flight options depending on your itinerary and budget. Businesses operate from Lake 42 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
The Church of the Good Shepherd
Tekapo, Pukaki (Twizel), Glentanner and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
DINE AND DRINK Tekapo has many fine eateries to suit all tastes. For breakfast, try The Greedy Cow for great coffee and delicious cabinet food, or enjoy the views from Jack Rabbit, the restaurant at the Godley Hotel. For dinner, try Kohan for authentic Japanese food, Our Dog Friday for burgers or Blue Lake for pizzas and craft beer.
STAY Lakefront Lodge and Backpackers/Holiday Park is set on the shores of Lake Tekapo, with magnificent views across the water to the mountains. It’s ideal for motorhomes with kitchen and bathroom facilities, drinking water, dump station, laundry and barbecues. There is an NZMCA park available in Tekapo for members of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association. ■
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EXPLORE | 8 GREAT SELFIE SPOTS
Ben Lomond Summit
8 GREAT SELFIE SPOTS New Zealand is without a doubt one of the most picturesque places on earth. In today’s social mediadriven world, when a simple landscape shot just isn’t enough, a selfie can be a great way to share your travels, and encourage others to do the same. Here are 8 selfie-worthy spots around the country
CATHEDRAL COVE – COROMANDEL PENINSULA Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand. The white sandy beach and naturally formed archway that gives the cove its name deserves the photographic attention it gets. While it’s easy to grab a selfie in the ‘cathedral’ itself, another option is to ditch land and take to the sea with Cathedral Cove Sea Kayak Tours and snap the perfect selfie from the ocean. Coromandel Peninsula is a 2.5-hour drive from Auckland. Cathedral Cove can be accessed via a short, easy 45-minute walk from Hahei, a small beachside town in the Coromandel.
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HOBBITON MOVIE SET – WAIKATO
BEN LOMOND SUMMIT – QUEENSTOWN
The original Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies remains intact and visitors can create their own Middle-earth adventure. There are endless selfie options at Hobbiton; in front of Bilbo’s famed green door, or looking out from inside a humble hobbit abode. Guided tours tell the tale of how Bag End came to life and the tour finishes with an ale at the Green Dragon Inn. Hobbiton is near Matamata in the Waikato region, about a two-hour drive from Auckland or 50-minutes from Hamilton.
Sometimes getting the best selfie takes some effort. Hiking to the summit of Ben Lomond can take up the best part of a day but the reward is worth it. While Queenstown’s many peaks look great from the bottom up, a view from the top is an entirely different experience. Adventurous selfie takers have two options - you can take the gentler route and grab a scenic ride from town up the Skyline Gondola (four hours return) or start your hike from downtown Queenstown (sixhours return) which makes for a bit of a workout. Panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables mountain range, and Mount Earnslaw await you at the top
#ThatWanakaTree
which is 1748 metres above sea level. Maybe pack a selfie stick for this one, there is just so much landscape to fit in.
TE PUIA – ROTORUA Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest tourism destination and attracts vast numbers of visitors each year who come to immerse themselves in Māori culture and marvel at the geothermal activity. Te Puia, in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, ticks both those boxes. Listed in Lonely Planet’s top 500 places in the world to visit, Te Puia is set on a 60-hectare site and is home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, a live kiwi enclosure, and the world-famous Pohutu Geyser. Pohutu Geyser is selfie gold. Try to focus on your phone and get the snap as the boiling hot waters from below burst to the surface in spectacular fashion. Te Puia is a landscape packed with ancestral history, a tourism guiding legacy that stretches back to the 1800s and a must-see on the New Zealand selfie tour.
Looking across Lake Wanaka toward the Southern Alps you can’t help but notice the conspicuous lone willow tree emerging from the water. The famous tree known as ‘That Wanaka Tree’ has been shared on social media so often that it has its very own hashtag (#ThatWanakaTree). During the summer and spring months, the graceful branches are laden with leaves, while in winter the bare form somehow amplifies the effect of the snowcovered mountains in the background. A testament to its beauty, Lake Wanaka comes in at 94 in Lonely Planet’s top 500 places in the world to visit. Lake Wanaka is a one-hour drive north from Queenstown, and on the road from Queenstown to the West Coast.
THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD – TEKAPO On the shores of Lake Tekapo, in the central South Island, you’ll find the Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps beyond the glacier-fed lake and its remarkable turquoise waters. The little stone church looks great framed up in a selfie. Built in 1935 for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie District, it has become a popular year-round photo spot attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. Services and weddings still take place regularly in the church. The small town is picturesque by day and dazzling by night as it is part of an International Dark Sky Reserve. Tekapo is a three-hour drive from Christchurch en route to the Southern Alps and Queenstown.
MILFORD SOUND – FIORDLAND Milford Sound is a magnificent fiord cutting into the south-western coast of the South Island. It sits within Fiordland National Park which is part of Te Wahipounamu – a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Ranked at 17 in Lonely Planet’s top 500 places in the world to visit, Milford Sound is a must for a selfie, and a shot from the water looking up to Mitre Peak is your best bet for maximum ‘likes’. Real Journeys can take you right into the heart of the sound on one of their scenic cruises and put you in the best position to grab the snap. Rudyard Kipling described Milford Sound as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and whether it’s teeming with rain, shrouded in mist or glistening in the sun – prepare to be inspired. Milford Sound is a beautiful four-hour drive from Queenstown. Alternatively scenic flights and bus tours operate from Queenstown and Lake Te Anau.
SOURCE: TOURISM NEW ZEALAND. IMAGES: DESTINATION COROMANDEL/TE PUIA/TOURISM NEW ZEALAND/LAKE WANAKA TOURISM/@LWELCH.X
#THATWANAKATREE – LAKE WANAKA
LEN LYE CENTRE – NEW PLYMOUTH Located in the coastal city of New Plymouth, overlooked by the majestic Mount Taranaki, The Len Lye Centre’s brilliant design and stainless-steel exterior turns any selfie taker into an artist. Use the mirror-like walls to get an original quirky shot for your friends to admire. The centre is New Zealand’s first and only museum of contemporary art and the first institution dedicated to a single artist, the pioneering filmmaker and kinetic sculptor, Len Lye. Current exhibitions include Len Lye’s Sky Snakes, and The Absolute Truth of the Happiness Acid.■
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EXPLORE | REWARDS OF THE ROAD
SKY WALKER Jill Malcolm shares her latest adventures and experiences from the road
The air-walk winds past rimu trees 46be Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations that can up to 300 years old
In the distance the Southern Alps were dusted with snow
Seen from above, tree ferns look like whirling skirts
IMAGES BY BILL SAVIDAN
E
leanor Catton’s complex Victorian novel, The Luminaries, has helped put Hokitika on the itineraries of modern travellers. Now that the miniseries of the book is being aired on TV, this might further boost interest in the small West Coast town, despite the real Hokitika not actually featuring much at all. Filming was mostly undertaken in Auckland. But as in the novel, the settings illustrate the West Coast of the 1860s, delving deep into life in a town of the gold rush era in a way that has never been portrayed before. Fast forward to the early 1900s, and the Hokitika’s time of prosperity, built on the gold, is apparent in the few extravagant public buildings that remain. And today there are constructions near Hokitika that have more to do with the town’s rugged environment than they do with the buildings of its past. One of the most impressive is about 15 minutes’ drive out of town on one of the routes to the spectacular Hokitika Gorge. Here, a modern edifice, equally as extravagant as Hokitika’s most venerable buildings, rises from the dense bush. It is in the form of a monumental mesh-steel gantry that takes punters on an ‘air-walk’
Looking down on the walkway from the tower
through a dense canopy of tall rimu and kamahi trees 25 metres above the forest floor. The walk is 450-metres in length and before I even set foot on the structure, I was awed by the amazing feat of engineering. It looks sturdy and reliable, which is just as well as all my instincts warned me that only birds should rise to such heights. The innovators and builders of this $7million attraction were two Tasmanians, Shane Abel and Neil Wade, who own eco-tourism company Canopy 01, and who had already designed and built four successful treetop air-walks in Australia. The walkway was prefabricated in Australia and assembled like a giant Meccano set on the West Coast site. Our footsteps clinking against the metal sounded intrusive, a reminder of how foreign we were among the tops of those sky-reaching trees, some of which are 300 years old. I felt as if I should tiptoe so as not to interrupt the sound of the light wind that was fingering through the foliage. From the perspective of a hawk, I gazed down through the layers of forest and the entangled limbs of trees that were decorated with ferns, lichens, clumps
of red berries, orchids, saprophytes, and vines. The branches of giant tree ferns spread like whirling skirts. It’s well-known that the weather on the coast can be unfriendly but that day, although icy cold, the sky was as clear as polished glass. A fresh fall of snow had glazed the summits of the Southern Alps. At one point along the walk, a steel springboard unfolds like a long tongue across the forest tops. Walk to the end and it affords close views of adjacent Manapouri Lake which that day was dotted with tiny yachts. The structure bounced under my footfall and although it’s undoubtedly safe, my acrophobia began to kick in. I admired the view but didn’t linger. Feeling the fear, I also climbed the 115 steps that spiral up a tower to a platform that is 47 metres above ground. It swayed enough to give full meaning to term ‘giddy heights’, but the view reached to the mountains on one side and over the dark waters of the lake and beyond to the Tasman Sea on the other. Back at ground level near the entrance to the walkway there is a café. After flying so high, a little sustenance was a good way of coming down to earth. ■ 47
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FEATURE | MATARIKI
CELEBRATE MATARIKI
SOURCE: TOURISM NEW ZEALAND. IMAGES: TOURISM NEW ZEALAND/VAUGHAN BROOKFIELD/AARON MCLEAN/MARK RUSSELL/MAKI YANAGIMACHI
Each year the Matariki cluster of stars – known to astronomers as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters – rises in New Zealand skies, marks the beginning of Māori New Year.
Mt John Observatory, Tekapo
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B
elieved to have formed more than 100 million years ago the Matariki cluster plays a pivotal role in modern and ancient Māori mythology, its arrival signalling an ending and a beginning. It gives people the chance to connect with their whanau (family) to reminisce and reflect on the year that has passed and rejoice and rejuvenate for the new year that lies ahead. Matariki takes place in mid-winter from late May or early June – the dates vary according to tribes and geography – as the stars reappear to the human eye just before dawn throughout winter and early spring. Like many cultures, food plays an integral role in rituals and life of Māori. Traditionally, Māori believed the earth was the giver of life. From the earth came food and so Matariki was a time of ceremonial offering to Māori land gods Rongo and Uenuku in the hope of a bountiful harvest in the year to come. With Matariki arriving in winter the annual harvest and stockpiling for the harsh months ahead became a priority. Once the harvesting was complete it was time to celebrate with kai (food) often cooked in a hangi in the ground and shared with whanau and friends.
MODERN MATARIKI Matariki celebrations were popular for Māori before the arrival of the Europeans. The festivals continued into the 1900’s but eventually they died out in the 1940s. However, the beginning of the 21st Century marked the revival of Matariki and the event continues to rise in popularity. The first modern day Matariki celebrations took place in Hawke’s Bay in 2000. Around 500 people took part in that first festival but by 2003 numbers had risen to 15,000. Matariki has continued to play an important role in the life of modernday Māori and New Zealanders. This astronomical event inspires a selection of festivals that take place around the country.
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT Matariki’s focus on the night sky is fitting as New Zealand boasts some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world Aoraki Mackenzie is a gold-rated dark sky reserve, in recognition of the quality of the almost light-pollution-free skies of the Mackenzie Basin. The 4300sq km area is bounded by a spectacular alpine landscape with the Southern Alps in the west, and the Two Thumb Range in the east. The dark sky reserve is located in the
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The Matariki cluster
Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand, and includes Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and the villages of Lake Tekapo, Twizel and Mt Cook. The Mt John Observatory is New Zealand’s premier scientific astronomy observatory and is based in Tekapo. The observatory site was chosen in 1963 for the clarity and darkness of the night sky after three years of site testing. Mt John is operated by the University of Canterbury and the on-site team includes astronomers from Japan’s Nagoya University. The USA and Germany have also invested in Mt John facilities. Aotearoa New Zealand also has two Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the skies above the islands of Great Barrier (north of Auckland) and Stewart (south of Invercargill).
Great Barrier Island is now a Dark Sky Sanctuary, and a great place to view Matariki
WHEN TO OBSERVE MATARIKI The optimum time to observe the rising of Matariki is in the phase of the moon known as Tangaroa, the moon of plenty. The Tangaroa moon phase occurs in the three or four days leading to a new moon and will fall on different dates each year. This year, the rising dates are 13-20 July. To see the cluster, look to the northeast horizon just before sunrise. Find the Tautoru constellation (also known as Orion’s belt or ‘the pot’). Trace a line northward from the three stars of Tautoru. Look for a faint sparkle of tiny dots, about the same width as Tautoru is long. This is the Matariki star cluster. ■
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WHEEL ESTATE | MCLOUIS FUSION RANGE
LA DOLCE VITA The name sounds Scottish but the new McLouis Fusion range is pure Italian style and craftsmanship, writes Ewan McDonald.
It’s all white here – right down to the bumpers – apart from those stylish 16-inch alloy wheels
A
h Siena. The medieval hill city, with its zebra-striped cathedral and vast scallop-shelled piazza, lies among the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany. Millions flock to this corner of Italy to taste la dolce vita – the sweet life. Just out of town is the McLouis motorhome factory. If you’re wondering about the name, there’s nothing Scottish about it. The company founder was waiting for his flight at an airport when he spotted two neighbouring fast-food restaurants – McDonald’s and Louis. Bingo!, he thought, and the rest, as they 54 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
say, is history (but perhaps not the finest Italian gastronomy). TrailLite imports McLouis motorhomes, and this new range landed in New Zealand a week before this year’s Covi SuperShow in March, where they were on display. Marketing manager Ashlee Rose says the five models in the Fusion family offer a wide range of floorplans to suit families, or for a couple or singles wanting to motorhome full-time. All equipped to the same high specifications, the vehicles’ lengths vary from 5990mm to 7410mm and prices
begin at $150,000 for the three-berth 331 to $162,000 for the four-berth 379. UP FRONT
We’ve mentioned it’s Italian so no prizes for guessing that the Fusion runs on the Fiat Ducato platform. That means frontwheel drive, 3500kg GVM in the 331 ‘Bambino’ and 3650kg GVM in its siblings, pulled along by a 160hp engine with 9 – count ‘em, 9-speed auto transmission. There’s an option to upgrade to the 4250GVM chassis. Traditional black Fiat seats have been swapped out for a stylish cream leather-look
“The white-leather look makes it quite light and vibrant, and it’s easy to clean”
with subtle grey armrests. The driver gets her or his hands on the reversing camera, Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, central locking that takes care of the habitation door, cab air-conditioning, cruise control and safety features including passenger airbag, Traction Plus, and hill descent control. WALK RIGHT IN
IMAGES BY TRAILLITE
That cool, creamy upholstery and white interior theme continues in the lounge. As Ashlee says, “The white-leather look makes it quite light and vibrant, and it’s easy to clean. We’ve put in New Zealand cushions and made it brighter.” The table is a good size for family dining and rotates/slides in every direction.
The cab seats swivel to seat five to six in the lounge
Creamy upholstery and the white interior are light and vibrant
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motorhome to be under 7 metres,” Ashlee says. “This model has that option. The layout with two single beds is a good one for families because mum and dad can sleep on the beds and the kids can sleep in the big bed at the back – you can have three kids in their sleeping bags!”
Bathroom areas are welldesigned, with plenty of room
The queen-sized island is one of five floorplans
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
“It has that craftsmanship and attention to detail that Italian manufacturing is known for”
With the cab seats swivelling around, the lounge can seat five to six and there’s good natural light from the large sunroof and artificial lighting from a virtually unrivalled selection of LED strips and spots. For travel, the L-shaped settee includes two three-point belts, while the settee converts into a rear-facing seat with a lap belt. Good for the typical Kiwi family. The over-cab area, housing a dropdown double bed, has cupboards at either side. Everything feels built to last or, as Ashlee puts it, “It has that craftsmanship and attention to detail that Italian manufacturing is known for.”
56 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Five floorplans in the Fusion range offer plenty of flexibility for would-be owners to choose the layout that best suits their lifestyle or holiday arrangements. The 331 is a three-berther with fixed transverse rear bed and a dropdown in the cab. The others are four-berth with differing configurations based around combinations of dropdown double, two singles, transverse bed or queen-size island bed. Taller travellers will be pleased to hear that the transverse bed runs the full width of the vehicle, a whopping 2.20 metres. The dropdown double measures 1300x1100x1950mm. The dropdowns are electrically operated, and settle clear of the kitchen and habitation door with no need to move cushions or clear the table before deploying it. ‘Upstairs’ are two individual spotlights and storage pockets. Headroom is 530mm. “We’re noticing a lot of people like the idea of the island bed but they want their
Four-berth configurations offer a dropdown double-bed plus two singles, a transverse, or queen-size island bed
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The 331 and 360 shower and toilet are in the same well-designed mid-cab area, with an opening window, plenty of room and decent worktop and storage. In the other models there’s a separate toilet and shower, both spacious and well-organised, with a solid door that shuts off to create the front and rear bedroom spaces. GET COOKING
Smaller motorhomes often skimp on kitchen space, and they’re often an L-shape which isn’t to everyone’s liking, but the Fusion bucks both trends. You’ll get more glossy white bench space and a good-sized sink for washing the dishes. There’s an oven, grill and three-burner hob. The 331 and 360 have a 142-litre fridge; in the other models, it’s 150 litres. At first glance you might wonder about the drawer space: open the cupboard under the sink and there are two slideout sections. Twin pull-out pantry units between the fridge and oven are ideal for bottles, tins and packets. Just open the cupboards and you can see the quality of the fittings. ON THE OUTSIDE
It’s all white here – right down to the bumpers. The big Sky Dome window is a feature, as are the 16-inch alloy wheels. For many Kiwis, a big selling point will be the garage, with large loading doors on either side, heating, lighting, four corner-mounted lashing points and a small hatch into the living area. It can carry up to 300kg; internal width is 1.09 metres and headroom is 1.2 metres, so there’s plenty of room for a couple of e-bikes. Just pop them in the boot, lock it up so they’re safe and sound, and you’re away. Freedom campers will spot the generous fresh and grey water tanks, and there’s a fair belt of power too –180 watts of solar and 200 amp hours of battery. “That’s one of the best specifications for this price bracket,” Ashlee points out. TrailLite puts the Fusion range on the highway with a number of standard features that would be costly optional extras in other brands. These include a full awning, two gas bottles, automatic satellite dish, a TV and five choices of floorplan across the range.
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FLOOR PLANS: 2020 FUSION RANGE BY MCLOUIS
The Fusion range is available in a choice of five floor plans
You can also talk to them about installing extra bits and pieces like another TV, 300w inverter, additional fresh and grey water tanks, an exterior shower and bike racks.
331 DAY
331 NIGHT
360 DAY
360 NIGHT
367 DAY
367 NIGHT
373 DAY
373 NIGHT
379 DAY
379 NIGHT
LAST WORD
Continental style and comfort, space to entertain visitors, generous garage and a lengthy list of standard features – roadtripping families, full-timing singletons and couples should have the Fusion at McLouis range at or near the top of their shortlist. ■ Find out more at traillite.co.nz.
MAKE & MODEL
2020 FUSION RANGE BY MCLOUIS
Chassis
Fiat Ducato
Engine
4-cylinder, 120kW/400Nm Euro 6D
Gearbox
9-speed auto
Berths
331: 3 berths 360, 367, 373, 379: 4 berths
Length
331: 5990mm; 360, 367: 6990m; 373, 379: 7410mm
Big 300kg payload garage
Width
2330mm
with large doors on both
Height
2950mm inc TV aerial
sides
Fresh water
360: 100 litres; Other models: 115 litres
Grey water
331, 360, 367: 100 litres; 373, 379: 135 litres
Power
2 x 100a/h batteries, 180w solar power
GVM
331: 3500kg; Other models: 3650kg
Price as reviewed
331: $150,000; 360, 367: $158,000; 373, 379: $162,000
PROS •
Italian craftsmanship and attention to detail
•
Five floorplans, plenty of flexibility to choose your layout
•
CONS •
None worth noting!
58 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
RV AND CARAVAN SHELTERS: $4,295.00 + GST
Lifestyle Gear - bringing you simple but practical complementary products that will enhance your outdoor entertaining and comfort. www.lifestylegear.co.nz
is also available online with great reviews, plus HUNDREDS of RVs for sale.
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WHEEL ESTATE | NEXTGEN TEKAPO 700C
A WINNER FOR KIWIS Malcolm Street takes a look at the NextGen Tekapo 700 RC caravan and finds plenty of features that will tick the box for Kiwi travellers.
W
ithin the international RV market, New Zealand is in something of a unique position. For RV buyers at least, because there’s a far greater selection of international and national products available than just about anywhere else. Some importers bring in unmodified products with just the necessary compliance (mostly electrical and gas), while others have layout changes made to suit the New Zealand market’s unique tastes. 60 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
South Auckland-based InsideOut RV import a range of NextGen caravans from Australia. One of the reasons that InsideOut RV chose NextGen RV was that the manufacturer was happy to incorporate several changes to suit the New Zealand market. They can also be built to order with a huge range of colours and finishes to choose from. My review caravan was a Tekapo 700RC tandem axle with an external length of 7000mm and an GVM of 3200kg.
bathroom is directly behind the bedroom and the kitchen sits mid-van on both sides. That leaves the rear area for a decent sized club lounge and table, creating a fairly spacious layout. One of the Kiwi preferences that InsideOut RV asked for was larger windows and, in the case of the rear lounge, an extra window. This gives the entire caravan plenty of natural light and ventilation. All the double-glazed windows have built-in insect screens and blinds
CLUB LAYOUT
REAR VIEWS
Many a caravan in the Australian market has a front bedroom/rear bathroom layout. That is, a front island bed and full-width rear bathroom with dinette and kitchen in between. The Tekapo is a little different. It does have a front island bed, but the split
The club lounge in the rear will be a winner in New Zealand. For many years it was a popular layout in caravans and motorhomes and, even today, can be seen in some new RVs. Being able to kick back and watch the world go by, especially
“To keep everyone toasty warm, an Eberspächer diesel heater control is mounted in the rear nearside corner.”
IMAGES BY MALCOLM STREET
From the rear, the van does have a somewhat square look. Note the heater diesel tank on the rear bumper
when the weather is a bit iffy, appears to be a Kiwi thing to do, and the white leather upholstery in this van would seem to be the place to do it. The lounge is also able to be converted to a bed for extra guests. Overhead lockers run around the top wall area and reading lights are fitted in three corners. A 230-volt mains power point and 12-volt socket are fitted to the offside wall and are handy for both the lounge and the adjacent cabinet. To keep everyone toasty warm, an Eberspächer diesel heater control is mounted in the rear nearside corner. Although if I was being picky here, a more easily accessible location would be less awkward. The television mounted on the wall at the end of the offside kitchen bench can easily be seen from the rear seats.
The club-style lounge can also be converted into a bed
61
TWO KITCHEN BENCHES
The split kitchen is a great feature in the Tekapo. The nearside bench has a fourburner hob/grill/oven and a (very trendy) black sink (including black tapware) and drainer while still leaving enough underbench space for three drawers, a floor locker and a cupboard. Four lockers take up the space above, with the two over the hob being smaller due to the extractor. On the opposite side, the bench houses four drawers, with the rest of the area devoted to a front-loading washing machine, something usually found in the bathroom. There are other storage options also. In addition to three overhead lockers, there is a floor-to-ceiling cupboard with two slideout wire basket pantries. Fitting into the remaining space is the all-essential 188-litre three-way Dometic fridge. Undoubtedly this is a kitchen for those who really like to practise their cooking skills without being limited by bench or storage area. AMENITIES
There’s no shortage of drawer and cupboard space
This is a van where a split bathroom works well and there are sliding doors back and front to ensure privacy. The nearside cubicle is for the 900mm x 750mm shower which has quite a classy rose, and there’s a hatch in the roof for ventilation. There isn’t a door on the
Wire basket pantries are standard in the kitchen
The kitchen bench fitout includes a washing machine
62 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
The Full Monty here – four-burner hob, grill and separate oven
COMPETITIVE INTEREST RATES FROM 7.9%
Surround window bedroom with 230V & 12V power outlets on both sides.
toilet cubicle side, hence the reason for the outer doors, but the payoff is that it seems less confined. There’s enough area for a Dometic cassette toilet, small vanity cabinet, pedestal washbasin, large wall mirror and an overhead locker. Ventilation is courtesy of a roof hatch and small window. IN THE FORWARD SECTION
Taking up most of the space up front is an island bed. It has windows on all three sides and a decent-looking bedhead. That consists of two overhead lockers, two side wardrobes and a bench side cabinet. Both bed occupants get a reading light, 230-volt power point and a 12-volt outlet. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
A look under the caravan reveals a very solid-looking chassis indeed – 150mm RHS drawbar and rails, along with 50mm cross members and similarly sized raisers. Roller rocker leaf spring suspension is used for the tandem axles that are shod with 15-inch alloy wheels. Up front are two 9kg gas cylinders, along with the jockey wheel, handbrake and ball coupling. At the rear, the bumper bar has one unusual addition, the diesel fuel tank for the space heater. Above the chassis, the blue 4mm aluminium and lower waistline of black
0800 300 500
Sliding doors are fitted to both sides of the bathroom
powder-coated alloy chequer-plate is very eye-catching. For use under the Dometic awning, there’s a picnic table, three efficient LED external lights and two external speakers for the sound system. There are tunnel storages back and front, the nearside front one having a slide-out with a Weber barbecue. A slight problem with the rear locker is that it cannot be opened without moving the awning arm out of the way.
The bathroom includes a vanity with large wall mirror and pedestal washbasin
FREEDOM CAMPING
For those who like to get away from it all, the Tekapo 700RC is quite well equipped with two 95-litre freshwater tanks and one 95-litre grey water tank. And for powering up, there are two 170W solar panels and two 100AH batteries – ideal if you are considering extended off-the-grid travel.
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63
The blue colour scheme is distinctive, and the Weber barbecue is handy for al fresco living
MAKE & MODEL
NEXTGEN TEKAPO 700RC
PROS • Spacious layout
Axles
Tandem
• Good external storage
Berths
3-4
• Large kitchen area
External length
9700mm (body length: 7000mm)
External width (incl. awn)
2500mm
Tanks fresh
2 x 95 litre
Tanks grey
1 x 95 litre
Power
1 x 100AH deep cycle battery
GVM
3200kg
Price
From $102,000 incl ORC
FLOOR PLAN: NEXTGEN TEKAPO 700RC
• Rear club lounge • Kiwi ‘conversion’ • Plenty of 230V and 12V outlets
CONS • Requires a fairly large tow vehicle • Heater switch location
TOW VEHICLE
Given the GVM of 3200kg and the tare mass of 2658kg the van has a payload of 542kg. However the vans are designed to have ~10% of weight on the tow vehicle so the actual load carrying capacity of this van is 842kg. That will reduce a bit once the water tanks are filled. One of the utes like a Ford Ranger or Isuzu D-Max should do the trick for towing. OVERALL
The Tekapo 700RC is not a small van, and its size allows for a spacious layout. The rear club lounge area is a winner in the design stakes, and not far behind that are the kitchen and bathroom areas. For a couple who want to travel together but who still desire a bit of personal space, then this van has much to offer. ■ Find out more at InsideOutrv.co.nz 64 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Italian Style & Quality Building motorhomes for over 37 years
NOW THAT’S CLASS! Everything included, no hidden extras
All motorhomes on soughtafter WOF (3 years)
2-year free body checks Fully compliant with New Zealand standards
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Over 20 years service to our customers
Extensive product knowledge
A range of models to suit everyone
Walkabout Sales is
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MOTORHOMES
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VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PH 09 810 8999 OR 027 659 1748
WHEEL ESTATE | AVIDA SILVERTON C7134SL
66 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Inside, the Silverton is more spacious than it would at first appear
THE FAMILY SILVER Malcolm Street checks out the latest offering from Avida, the very roomy Silverton built on a Mercedes-Benz base.
IMAGES MALCOLM STREET
U
nless you happened to be at the Covi show way back in March, when the world was reasonably normal, it is possible that you have missed the launch of a new design motorhome from the Avida stable. Hamilton-based Auto Leisure and Marine (ALM Group) is the official Avida distributor for New Zealand, and they did of course have the new Silverton on display at the Covi show in a prime position. MCD was lucky enough to get our hands on the Silverton in the days after the show and took it for a spin, albeit a short one. The Silverton (named after
a town in outback NSW) is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 418 CDI model, has an external length of 7135mm and a tare mass of 3500kg. If you have not had the opportunity to drive the latest model Sprinter, then do give it a go if one comes your way. More about that in a moment. GENERAL LAYOUT
Available as either a C or B-Class motorhome – the Luton giving the clue that mine was the former – the Silverton has a forward door entry, almost directly behind the passenger door. Inside, the layout features a front dinette/lounge, a nearside kitchen bench, a full-width bathroom across the rear, and a transverse bed in front of the bathroom. It would be remiss of me not to mention a key feature – an offside slide-out that contains both the bed and a Thetford
141-litre fridge. It means that when the slide-out is open, there’s plenty of kitchen manoeuvering space. The mostly white glossy finish with glossy grey for the upper cupboard and beige/brown for the lower cabinetry is quite pleasing to the eye. The natural light levels are quite good, but I suspect to New Zealand eyes, the windows might look on the small side. With the exception of the bathroom window, Avida has opted for the glass louvre style, instead of the more usual double-glazed acrylics. A LITTLE DIFFERENT
Both cab seats swivel around and there’s a table and a forward-facing rear seat, with seat belts, behind the driver’s seat. A couple of very deep overhead lockers sit above the dinette, and the Luton bed can be lifted out of the way if not required. 67
The table extension allows space for guests
I really like the extension under the main table, which can be turned out to reach the rotated cab seats. So far, quite conventional. A little differently, behind the passenger seat is a partition for the purposes of providing a hinged kitchen bench extension across the doorway entry, as well as providing a bit of shelf space for small items like food containers. It’s not my choice of set-up, but I can see the benefit of a simple and stable kitchen bench extension for those who like to practise their catering skills and want the space to spread out on a solid surface. AT THE BENCHTOP
The kitchen bench extension provides additional shelf space
Speaking of catering, the kitchen area is quite well set up. Built into the main area is a four-burner hob with grill alongside a stainless-steel sink and drainer. In the space above the benchtop are two quite tall overhead lockers plus a Samsung microwave oven. Under the benchtop are a couple of drawers and cupboards, but what makes this kitchen a little different is that the benchtop extends into the bedroom area. It thins down a bit towards the rear, but with the slide-out open it can be used
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OUR 60-SECOND ONLINE QUOTE
The slide-out creates plenty of space around the bed
quite easily for catering or other purposes. At the rear end of the shelf are both a 230V mains power point, a USB hub, and a radio which sits almost at bench level. Not so the flat-screen TV mounted above, which can easily be seen from the bed but somewhat less so from the front seats. BEDTIME
One of the benefits of having an eastwest bed fitted into a slide-out is that there is plenty of walk-through space at the base of the bed. Having a width of 1400mm, the bed is either 1800mm long or 1970mm with the mattress extension in place. There isn’t enough space for bedside cabinets, but each occupant gets a small corner shelf and a magazine pouch. Overhead lockers are fitted above the pillows. The bed base can be lifted to get to the storage space underneath, and for those who like to keep their clothing relatively neat, there’s a wardrobe butting up against the nearside corner of the bathroom. And for the kids or extra travellers, there’s that handy extra bed in the Luton for two sleepers. REAR BATHROOM
The shower stall fits neatly into the offside corner, and the vanity cabinet – complete
0800 300 500
The full-width rear bathroom includes space for a washing machine
with large wall mirror and pedestal washbasin – sits on the opposite side. Located centre-stage with a window view is the Thetford cassette toilet, which sits on a slightly raised platform, and there’s a row of overhead lockers across the rear wall. An option in the bathroom is a washing machine which fits in to the corner, otherwise it’s just storage space.
CONSTRUCTION
A fully welded metal frame is used for the walls, roof and floor. Foam sheet filler is located between the frame members to act as an insulant and road noise reducer. Fibreglass composite sandwich panels are used for the walls but, a little differently, the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and aluminium sheeting below for underfloor protection.
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69
PROS • Bedroom slide-out • Good internal storage capacity • Table extension • Practical kitchen layout
CONS • Low ground clearance • Water tank capacity • Small window area • Partition behind passenger seat
Fully moulded fibreglass is used for the front Luton peak/cab surround, rear wall, and roof. External bins are fitted on both sides of the motorhome, but they are located in the lower skirt area and that does mean a bit of crouching down to get access.
The slide-out doesn’t interfere with lower storage bin access
MAKE & MODEL
AVIDA SILVERTON C7134SL
Chassis
Mercedes Benz Sprinter 418CDI
Engine
2.3L turbo diesel, 132kW/400Nm
Gearbox
9-speed auto
External length
7135mm
External width (incl. awning)
2320mm
GVM
4200kg
Fresh water
100L
Grey water
100L
Gas
2 x 4kg
Price
$187,817
FLOOR PLAN: AVIDA SILVERTON C7134SL
MOTIVE POWER
The Silverton has Mercedes-Benz Sprinter underpinnings but not a model I have come across before and one not obvious on the Mercedes website. The reason is that the 418 CDI model is made especially for motorhome manufacturers and has one other difference to most Sprinters – it is a front-wheel drive. It also has a 2.3-litre turbo diesel that delivers a maximum power of 132kW and a maximum torque of 400Nm. The nine-speed auto gear box is a dream to drive and the gear selection mechanism is a stalk on the steering wheel column, along with a couple of paddles for up and down shifting. I did like the touchscreen panel in the centre of the dashboard, which is fairly wide and gives a good clear view when reversing. Weighing things up, the 418 CDI has a GVM of 4200kg and, given the tare mass is 3500kg, it has a good load capacity of 700kg, even with the 100-litre fresh water tank. SUMMARY
Avida has made good use of the new Sprinter 418 cab chassis and it does make a good driving motorhome. The slide-out adds a decent amount of space around both the bed and kitchen areas, and having the Luton bed mean the motorhome is good for two or four people. Certainly the Silverton is an interesting addition to the Avida stable. Find out more at almgroup.co.nz ■ 70 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
,990 2 3 1 $ MOTORHOMES FROM e, Tauranga Av h View our selection at 15 Birc
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TECHNICAL TIPS
ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER? Travelling by RV over winter can be a very rewarding experience. But there are a few checks worth making before you hit the road.
W
ith winter’s chill upon us, it’s important to ensure your motorhome is well prepared for the challenges the cooler weather can bring. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your winter travels and ensure your motorhome is winter-safe. FLUIDS Before heading off, it’s a good idea to check all fluid levels and top-up if needed. You might also like to 72 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
add a washer fluid additive to your windscreen wash to prevent it from freezing. You can test your coolant mix with a glycol meter (or ask a trusted workshop to do this for you). The glycol/water concentration should be about 50/50 but check your vehicle manual to be sure. TYRES It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your tyre tread, but over the winter this is even more important. For winter driving it is best to stay above a 4mm limit. While you are at it, ensure your tyres are suitable for winter conditions (indicated by the snowflake or the M&S (mud and snow) writing on the side wall.
BATTERIES The efficiency of batteries reduces in colder temperatures so it’s extra important to ensure your batteries are in good shape. Check their condition and fluid levels and make sure they are charged. If you’re not using your RV for a number of months, make sure to use a battery charger as deep discharge shortens the battery life considerably. TANKS/WATER In the winter it is best to keep all tanks empty unless you are using your vehicle. Water freezing in tanks and boilers can become very expensive as it can cause severe damage - frozen water will expand and break pipes, tanks or boilers. Give all tanks a proper flush through, especially the waste
tank and toilet cassette so they are nice and fresh when you want to use your motorhome again. HEATING Good heating is a must in winter. But if you haven’t had to crank up the heat for a few months, it’s worth checking that everything is working as it should before you head off. ESSENTIALS There are a few things that can become life savers over the winter period that you should have on board with you. If you’re planning to travel through snowy areas, it’s wise to keep snow chains on board as you might be denied access to certain roads without them (or end up stuck!). An ice scraper is handy to clear those frozen windows in the morning. Lock de-icer in case your locks freeze shut and you can’t get your key in to
lock or unlock your doors (it happens surprisingly often). Additional food supplies, a tow rope and a spare can of petrol/diesel are also great to add to the winter kit. DRIVING TIPS If you’re not an experienced motorhome driver, winter isn’t a good time to start. Icy roads, fog, and rain demand experience and skill, so it’s wise to be well-versed with RV driving before heading out onto the roads over winter. Black ice is a significant problem in New Zealand over winter. Because it is transparent, it can be hard to spot, although sometimes the ice’s shiny surface can be seen. It forms at night or in the early morning when temperatures are lowest, especially on parts of the road where there isn’t a lot of sunshine such as in tunnels and shady areas, and on bridges. Try to avoid black ice by planning your travels later in the day,
once the sun has warmed things up a bit. If you do hit black ice, take your foot off the accelerator, avoid hitting the brakes, and try to keep the steering wheel straight. Avoid steering in the opposite direction as this can cause you to skid or spin. Be aware that the road conditions can change in an instant. Take extra care when braking and accelerating and keep plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front. Where possible, pull over safely to let queues of traffic pass. Beware though of soggy grass verges; wait until a safe layby or slow lane is available before moving over and allowing traffic past. Make sure your windscreen is clean and free from greasy smears that might suddenly impair your vision in sunstrike. Keep a good pair of sunglasses on hand also. In fog, rain, or dull light, keep your lights on low, so you are visible to others on the road. ■ 73
PEOPLE | RICHARD & NOELA
Richard and Noela Gunson
A FAMILY AFFAIR
O
riginally from a farming background, Noela and Richard Gunson have been campground managers for over 20 years now. Richard explains, “We were keen to try something other than farming, so we looked around to see what was out there. When we heard the council was looking for campground managers in Waipu Cove in 2000, we thought ‘Living by the beach doesn’t sound too bad’, so we applied and got the job. “We liked Waipu Cove. We were there for 11 years. But we knew if we stayed there, we would only ever be managers, whereas here in Mangawhai Heads, we knew there would most likely be an opportunity to buy the business and get a bit more control and autonomy,” says Richard. And that’s exactly what they did. The council still owns the land, but Noela and Richard own the campground, which means they can now do things their way 74 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
and reap the long-term benefits of their hard work and the improvements they are making. “When we bought the business, there were no facilities on the north side of the campground, so that’s the first thing we did. Now that we have modern and spacious facilities in that part of the camp, we’re looking to replace the older ones on the south side. And we’re also looking to improve a few other things such as getting faster internet and a few more cabins.” Today, camp management at Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park is a family affair. Noela and Richard share the workload with their daughter Hayley and son-inlaw Eugen, who live onsite with their five children. Two of their young grandchildren are already making plans to take over one day, so chances are the camp will stay in the family for generations to come. “It’s really great having Hayley and
her family here. It means the workload is spread over more people, and in the offseason, we can take turns going away to have our own holidays.” Richard and Noela will use that freedom to join the other side of the fence. They have just bought a Crusader caravan in Australia and plan to head over there as soon as possible. “We chose to buy a caravan in Australia because it will still be nice and warm during our off-season here in New Zealand. And there is so much to explore and see.” While Richard and Noela are away, Hayley and her family will keep the campground running – which will keep them busy even in the off-season. Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park has 104 unpowered sites, 52 powered sites, 49 permanent onsite caravans and four cabins split over two areas (the north side and the south side).
IMAGES BY LISA JANSEN
Ever wondered what life is like as a campground manager? Lisa Jansen goes behind the scenes at Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park
With three toilet/shower blocks and two kitchens, it is comfortable even when up to around 650 people make the park their temporary homes over the busy summer period. From reception and cleaning to repairs and maintenance, there is a lot to do, and it never stops. “I like to call it ‘a way of life’, not just a lifestyle. It involves really long hours. There is no work-life balance, it’s just all muddled together all the time.” Good thing that, as farmers, the family is used to hard work, long hours and little time off. As Richard says,“There are a lot of similarities between farming and campground management. Both are a way of life and usually involve the whole family.” Lucky then that the job provides such a fantastic outdoor work environment. The park thrives on its location right on the estuary, with stunning views over the dunes and easy walking distance to both the surf beach and the town centre. There are not a lot of holiday parks in New Zealand where the views from your motorhome, caravan, or tent are as good as they are here. Not surprisingly, the campsite sees a lot of return visitors. “It’s one of our favourite things about being campground managers. Meeting all these different people and
seeing the friendships that develop here, especially among the regulars. “Some families have been coming here every summer for years. Many have become good friends even though they only see each other for those few days or weeks each year. That is really nice to see.” However, although meeting and looking after new people can be the best part of owning a campground, it can also be the hardest. “It’s very rare for visitors to cause issues, but when they do, that’s when we find our work hard. We want everyone who comes here to have a great time, but that also means that certain rules need to be in place and we sometimes have to tell people off for not following them, or even turn them away when they are not a good fit for our family camp culture. That part is no fun.” I asked Noela and Richard what they think makes good campground visitors and both agree it’s all about respect. “Being a good guest is simple. Be
The perfect lunch spot
“The park thrives on its location on the estuary, with stunning views over the dunes.”
The north side of the campground
75
My beachfront setup at Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park
Playground with a view
respectful. Respectful to us, the land and the facilities, but also other guests.” I think that should be an easy request for all of us to follow. I was also curious to hear how campground owners feel about freedom camping, given it’s a much talked about topic among us travellers. Richard and Noela are members of The Holiday Accommodation Parks Association of New Zealand (HAPNZ), the industry association that represents the commercial holiday park sector. For several years, Richard was a very active 76 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Looking out over the estuary
member, and the topic came up often. It may be surprising to some, but many campground owners, including Richard and Noela, are not generally opposed to freedom camping. “We think New Zealanders have the right to enjoy their country and freedom camp when and where it is appropriate – and as long as it’s done respectfully. That includes not freedom camping right next to a commercial campground and sneaking in to use the facilities! “However, we feel that whether tourists should be allowed to freedom camp
should be a separate conversation.” Talking to Noela and Richard has given me a new appreciation for the hard work they, and so many others, do to make sure we travellers have beautiful, safe and comfortable places to stay – probably something we all too often take for granted. So next time you’re on a campground, make sure you thank the people who do all the work behind the scenes. I definitely will. ■ Find out more at mangawhaiheadsholidaypark.co.nz
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PEOPLE | JACKIE’S JOURNEY
JACKIE’S JOURNEY
SECOND TIME AROUND
Paddock 66 has been preserved for generations to enjoy
I
f you’re going to do something, do it properly, the saying goes. When I first hiked the Wairere Falls track, 25 years ago, I thought I had done just that. Along with two friends visiting from the UK, we puffed and perspired our way through the bush until we got to the end, then turned around and headed back again. As you do. From that day I had always believed we had ‘been there and done that’. So my heart dropped through the floor when a friend who lived in the area posted some photos on Facebook last year, of her and her family triumphantly posing atop the
78 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
aforementioned Falls. This was nothing like the Wairere Falls I remembered! The view, the space – everything was vastly different than I had witnessed. Not only that, it was a thousand times more spectacular. Could it be, that maybe we hadn’t walked to the end of the track, the way we had thought all those years ago? There was only one way to find out. I had to do it again. It took almost a year of impatiently waiting, but days before the country went into lockdown, I finally got there. WHAT – AND WHERE – ARE WAIRERE FALLS?
The Falls are located in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, between Te Aroha and Matamata. At 153 metres high, it is the North Island’s highest waterfall and can easily be seen from the Te ArohaOkauia Road. The track is 5km return and takes around 3 – 4 hours on foot. Having only arrived back in the North Island the
day before, we had already been driving all day and it was well into the afternoon by the time we arrived but there was no way I was going to continue further until I had satisfied my curiosity. I couldn’t believe it as we pulled into the enormous carpark. “This never used to be here!” I said, looking around. Still, I couldn’t imagine anything else would have changed here since 1995. As we set off along the path, it felt as though no time had passed at all. THE INTERNATIONAL SEAT OF PEACE
It was a beautiful and sunny afternoon and we were going along at a good pace. The track is well formed and weaves its way through moss covered rocks and tree roots and over river bridges. “What’s this?” I frowned at a sign about 15 minutes along the track. ‘The International Seat of Peace’, a sign mysteriously pointed off the track and into an adjacent paddock.
IMAGES BY JACKIE NORMAN / GARETH SCURR
Jackie Norman sold her home in 2016, bought a motorhome and embarked on full-time life on the road with her husband, Gareth. This issue, they rediscover the beauty of Wairere Falls.
Wairere Falls
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The track opens up at the top of the cliff
The track has lots of delightful nooks
This wasn’t here last time either! Curiosity well and truly piqued, we went to investigate. The International Seat of Peace – a large, handcrafted wooden bench – was placed here in 2017 by local farm owner Simon Bourke. He loved the view so much, he wanted to share it with others, not just his cows, and so closed off Paddock 66 and erected a seat, where people could come and have a rest along the way if needed, or just admire the surroundings and tranquillity. I had no idea what we were going to encounter at the top of the hill but as the view appeared, all we could say was “wow!”. Gareth and I were the only people there. I sat on the bench and closed my eyes for a while and just listened to the birds all around. It truly was a seat of peace and I didn’t want to leave, but we had a long way to go yet. 80 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Be prepared to climb a LOT of stairs!
FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP
Back on the path we were soon making our way up the cliff, with the help of some stairs. On our way to the viewing platform we followed several others, who took photos and rested in the seating area, then headed back down the way they’d come. They didn’t appear to see the small sign behind them which continued on up the track – they thought this was the end. To my dismay, I realised what my friends and I had done all those years ago, and what all these people were doing now. We had only climbed as far as the bottom. This time however, I knew better. Here is where the real work began. The track was steep and challenging, in fact a real workout, but fun! The sweat dripped off us in the afternoon heat and we only
saw one other couple making their descent as we clambered up, winding our way through nikau groves and a mosaic of native trees. Just as I began to think we would never get there, the track opened out and there it was, stretched out before us. We had reached the top of Wairere Falls and it was absolutely breath-taking. The top of the falls is so huge, you can actually walk across and along them and that’s what we did. There are plenty of pools to paddle in and we wished we’d brought our swimming togs. The view stretched out across the Waikato Plains as far as the eye could see, I couldn’t believe I had missed all this the first time around. At least now I knew I wasn’t alone! We stayed, just the two of us looking out from the top of the world, until the
The REAL top of Wairere Falls!
A perfect place for a paddle on a warm day
IMAGES BY GARETH SCURR
“The top of the falls is so huge, you can actually walk across and along them” light began to fade and we reluctantly began the climb down. As we reached the viewing platform we’d passed on the way up, we finally permitted ourselves to stop and take a look. It felt incredible to see the immense falls cascading down the cliff and think ‘we’ve been to the very top of there’ The rest of the track felt like a breeze and at last we returned to the van, in a now empty car park. I hope it isn’t another 25 years before I get to visit this special place, but if I don’t at least I can finally say I’ve seen it properly. ■
MORE INFORMATION If you’re in the Matamata/Te Aroha area, be sure to pay a visit to Wairere Falls. Your efforts will be well rewarded. Here are a couple of things to note before you go. The falls can be seen from the Te Aroha-Okauia Road and are signposted from the Goodwin Road turn-off. If you’re heading there in spring, watch out for the apricot coloured flowers of the taurepo or sandpaper plant on the rocky valley walls.
Kids don’t try this at home!
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended – especially if you want to get further than the bottom. The second part of the climb is challenging, so make sure you have strong, comfortable footwear with good grip, warm clothing, a raincoat and food and drink. There are several lovely small water holes, so if you’re going in summer take your swimming gear, a hat and sunscreen. You won’t want to leave!
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Where value meets excellence
AS DISPLAYED AT THE AUCKLAND SHOW
Low Profile models
Sunlight van
6 berth models
LIMITED NUMBERS ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
2019 models with balance of Dethleffs / Sunlight & Fiat warranties [done approx. 25,000kms] Limited numbers of 2018 models also available [done approx. 50,000kms] 7 different layouts of the Dethleffs Distinction range. Priced from $99,990 All Dethleffs motorhomes come with solar, automatic satellite TV, reverse camera’s and external awnings. Seat belting and comfortable sleeping for two to six people Drive on a standard class 1 drivers licence
Available to view at UCC Motorhomes in Christchurch, or Zion Motorhomes – 50 Gateway Park Drive, Pokeno Ph: 0800 222 108 | Office: 03 349 7747 | Mobile: 021 658116 | Email: info@uccmotorhomes.co.nz 7 Foremans Road, Islington, Christchurch | www.uccmotorhomes.co.nz
FIRST CLASS REISEMOBILE. MADE IN GERMANY.
PEOPLE | JEFF & SUE
Sue and Jeff Scott with Buster
Heather Whelan meets Jeff and Sue Scott to find out more about their travels in their 7m bus, Buster TELL US A BIT ABOUT BUSTER
Buster is an ex-school bus, a 7m Isuzu KS. The bus was for sale locally, so Jeff went to have a look. The size was just right, and we loved that it had lots of windows, letting in light and providing excellent airflow. Because the windows are small, we can leave them open and not worry about security. The bus had been partly renovated, and we could see the potential to make Buster into the perfect motorhome for us. 84 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO BUSTER?
We have always been travellers. Previously we have camped and had a yacht. After selling our boat, we wanted to travel without incurring too much expense, and also be able to stay in places where accommodation wasn’t available. WHAT RESEARCH DID YOU DO?
We knew we didn’t want a caravan because we didn’t want to buy a tow vehicle and also because we like to tour, rather than park up in one place for a holiday. A bus seemed to tick our boxes, so we spent some time looking on Trade Me for something suitable. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THE BUS SINCE YOU BOUGHT IT?
We have done quite a lot of work on Buster. Jeff peeled off the aluminium cladding, rust-proofed and re-clad the exterior, and then painted the bus a
cream colour. We have installed solar panels for the refrigerator and gas heating for hot water. Jeff has replaced the plywood inside with macrocarpa and Sue has reupholstered the seating and made curtains. We’ve left the signs saying how many children to a seat, as a nod to Buster’s previous life as a school bus. WHY THE NAME BUSTER?
We have been used to being around yachts with interesting names, so we played about with ideas. Having grown up with the comic Buster, it seemed the perfect name for our bus. We didn’t want a plain white motorhome, but rather something with character so we got a sign-writer to copy the comic’s logo onto Buster. It makes people smile and wave as we pass by, and people often recognise Buster. It’s a good conversation starter.
IMAGES BY HEATHER WHELAN
BUSTER THE BUS
Buster parked at the NZMCA Park at Kerikeri
WHERE HAVE YOU TRAVELLED SO FAR?
We’ve only travelled in the North Island and only as far south as Napier and New Plymouth. WHERE HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES?
We love Te Aroha – we like the architecture there, the Edwardian Domain and the hot pools. New Plymouth is also a favourite. We’ve enjoyed the cycle paths, Pukekura Park, the Len Lye Centre and the views of Mount Taranaki. One place we like to stay is by the railway station at Waīhī – it’s so quiet, and you can take the train ride to Waikino on the Goldfields Railway. We’ve also had great times at the NZMCA parks in Kerikeri and at Ardmore, where we saw an air show with spitfires.
Sue reupholstered the seating and made cushions for Buster
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES?
We were once advised that it would be safe and quiet to park overnight on the main street at Te Kūiti. It was far from peaceful with trains passing through the night and traffic on the highway – but the worst thing was that a car being chased by the police crashed into power lines only 50m behind the bus. We were soon surrounded by fire engines, police cars and an ambulance. Not a quiet night.
Jeff replaced the interior plywood with macrocarpa
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Otamure Bay DOC campground
On the scooters at Mt Maunganui
WHERE ARE YOU HEADING NEXT?
We plan to go to the East Cape and the South Island, particularly around the Nelson Lakes. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON YOUR TRAVELS?
Because we live surrounded by bush and close to the beach in Northland we don’t travel so much to visit beaches or mountains – we like to meet people, be it other travellers or locals. We explore country towns where we can meet genuine Kiwi characters and hear their stories. We enjoy towns with historical interest and love bargain hunting at markets and in op shops. 86 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
Jeff working on Buster
DO YOU PREFER TO STAY IN CAMPGROUNDS OR FREEDOM CAMPING?
We love freedom camping in out-of-theway spots but also enjoy staying in the NZMCA parks. WOULD YOU CONSIDER BUYING A BIGGER OR SMALLER MOTORHOME?
No, we are pleased with Buster; the bus is a perfect size, and we’ve made it ours. Jeff has been proactive in keeping it well maintained and prolonging its life. ANY TIPS FOR PEOPLE NEW TO MOTORHOMING?
• If you are looking at buying a bus, we have found 7m to be the perfect size for
two people. We haven’t tried to make room for more people to sleep on Buster, as we have been told that people rarely want to come and stay – and this seems to be true. It’s been better to make everything comfortable just for the two of us. • We’d also recommend not travelling too far each day. Stop more frequently and explore. • Be minimalist in what you take with you but do take camping chairs. • Install solar panels and get good advice from professionals about doing this. • Join the NZMCA.
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RECIPES
LOW CARB WINTER WARMERS These tasty, winter-warming recipes are from Pete Evans’ latest recipe book, Easy Keto Dinners.
GINGER PRAWNS
1 tablespoon fish sauce
SERVES 2–4
250ml (1 cup) Brown Chicken Bone
INGREDIENTS: 3 tablespoons coconut oil or good quality animal fat
2 teaspoons coconut sugar Broth (recipe in Easy Keto Dinners) sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 handful of Thai basil leaves
600g raw prawns, shelled and deveined, tails left intact 5cm piece of ginger, cut into fine matchsticks 4 spring onions, white parts chopped, green parts finely shredded 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 bird’s eye chillies, finely sliced 80g gluten-free oyster sauce
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METHOD Heat 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil or animal fat in a wok or large frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the prawns in batches and cook for 15 seconds on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside. Wipe the pan clean, add the remaining oil
or fat and place over medium–high heat. Add the ginger, spring onion whites, garlic and chilli and stir-fry for 2 minutes, or until fragrant and starting to colour slightly. Combine the oyster sauce, fish sauce, coconut sugar and broth in a bowl, then pour into the pan and stir. Simmer for 1–2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Return the prawns to the pan, add the spring onion greens and toss for about 30 seconds until the prawns are just cooked. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, toss through the Thai basil leaves and serve.
CHICKEN MATZO BALL SOUP SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons lard or other good quality animal fat 2 chicken marylands 1 onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 celery stalks, diced 2 carrots, diced 4 thyme sprigs 2 fresh bay leaves 2 litres Brown Chicken Bone Broth (recipe in Easy Keto Dinners) 1 handful of tarragon leaves, chopped 1 handful of dill fronds, chopped 1 teaspoon lemon juice sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Matzo balls 3 eggs 2 garlic cloves, grated 2 teaspoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 3⁄4 teaspoon sea salt 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder 200g (2 cups) almond meal 2 tablespoons tapioca flour 2 tablespoons lard or other good quality animal fat, melted
METHOD To make the matzo balls, place the eggs, garlic, parsley and salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the baking powder, almond meal, tapioca flour and fat and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. With clean wet hands, roll the mixture into cherry-sized balls. Return to the fridge until needed. Melt the fat in a large saucepan over medium–high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes on each side to brown. Remove from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the garlic, celery and carrot and sauté for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to colour slightly. Return the chicken to the pan and add the thyme and bay
leaves. Pour in the broth, cover with the lid and simmer for 1 and 1⁄2 hours, or until the flesh is falling off the bone. Remove the chicken from the broth and, when cool enough to handle, shred the flesh and discard the bones. Add the shredded chicken to the soup, then
add the matzo balls and cover with the lid. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the matzo balls have expanded and are cooked through. Stir in the tarragon, dill and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into warm bowls and serve.
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ROAST PORK BELLY WITH FENNEL
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard lemon wedges, to serve
SERVES 4
Preheat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan-forced) – you need to start by blasting the pork with heat. Place the pork belly on a wire rack in the kitchen sink, carefully pour the boiling water all over the skin, then pat dry with paper towel.
INGREDIENTS: 1.2 kg boned pork belly, skin scored, at room temperature 250ml (1 cup) boiling water 2 tablespoons coconut oil or good quality animal fat, melted sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, toasted and coarsely ground 2 onions, sliced into rounds 1 large fennel bulb, thickly sliced 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally 15 thyme sprigs 2 fresh bay leaves 350 ml Brown Chicken Bone Broth (recipe in Easy Keto Dinners)
90 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
METHOD: Rub the pork skin with the coconut oil or animal fat and season with a good amount of salt. Rub the ground fennel into the flesh and place the pork in a large roasting tin. Roast for 30 minutes, or until the skin starts to bubble. Remove the tin from the oven, carefully lift out the pork and place on a plate.
Reduce the oven temperature to 140°C (120°C fan-forced). Scatter the onion, fennel slices, garlic, thyme and bay leaves into the tin. Pour in the broth, mix in the mustard and season with salt and pepper. Return the pork to the tin and continue to roast for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the flesh is very tender. Transfer the pork to a plate and rest for 15 minutes, keeping warm. If the crackling isn’t crisp enough, place the pork, crackling-side up, under a hot grill for a few minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Return the tin to the oven and roast the veggies for 10 minutes, or until golden. Carve the pork belly into thick slices and serve with the roasted veggies and the lemon wedges on the side.
WEST INDIAN LAMB SHANK CURRY SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS: 4 x 300 g lamb shanks, French trimmed (ask your butcher), at room temperature 100 ml melted coconut oil or good quality animal fat 40g (1⁄3 cup) Curry Powder (recipe in Easy Keto Dinners) sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped 1⁄2 habanero chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger 400ml coconut milk 500ml (2 cups) Beef Bone Broth (recipe in Easy Keto Dinners) 5 vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped 1 teaspoon thyme leaves 2 fresh bay leaves 1 1⁄2 zucchini, sliced 1 handful of herbs (such as dill fronds and coriander leaves) lime wedges, to serve
METHOD: Pat the lamb shanks dry with paper towel and transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil or animal fat, then sprinkle over half of the curry powder and season with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Toss the lamb shanks gently to evenly coat with the oil and seasoning. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 150°C (130°C fanforced). Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil or fat in a large flameproof casserole dish over medium–high heat. Add the shanks in batches and brown until golden, about 1 minute on each side. Do not overcrowd the pan. Remove the shanks from the dish and set aside. Wipe the dish clean. Heat the remaining oil or fat in the dish, add the onion, carrot, celery and chilli and sauté for about 5 minutes until just starting to colour. Stir in the garlic, ginger and the remaining curry powder, mix well with a wooden spoon and continue to sauté for 1–2 minutes. Return the shanks to the dish, add the coconut milk, broth, tomato, thyme and bay leaves and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, cover with the lid and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 hours, then stir in the zucchini, cover and cook for a further 1 hour, or until the meat is falling off the bone. Season with salt and pepper. Skim the layer of fat off the top of the curry if needed. Scatter over the herbs and serve with the lime wedges.
EASY KETO DINNERS by Pete Evans, Published by Plum, RRP $29.99, Photography by William Meppem
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BOOKS
Grab a
GREAT READ
A good book is a must-have for any road trip. Here’s a quick look at some of the latest titles on the bookstore shelves
THE SUSTAINABLE(ISH) LIVING GUIDE
If you want to save the planet, but your to-do list is already pretty long and remembering your re-usable coffee cup feels like a Herculean task, then this is the book for you. Covering every aspect of our lives from the stuff we buy and the food we eat, to how we travel, work, and celebrate. This book provides stacks of practical, down to earth ideas to slot into your daily life, alongside a gentle kick up the butt to put your newfound knowledge into action. Practical tips include unsubscribing from all the tempting emails that drop into your inbox with details of the newest clothing range or the latest sale, and keeping a mug next to your kettle to work out how much water you actually need to boil each time, as over filling kettles costs British households £68 million on energy bills each year. Jen Gale Green Tree RRP $29.99
92 Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations
THE YELLOW BIRD SINGS
Poland, 1941. After the Jews in their town are rounded up, Róza and her five-year-old daughter, Shira, spend day and night hidden in a farmer’s barn. Forbidden from making a sound, only the yellow bird from her mother’s stories can sing the melodies Shira composes in her head. Róza does all she can to take care of Shira and shield her from the horrors of the outside world. They play silent games and invent their own sign language. But then the day comes when their haven is no longer safe, and Róza must face an impossible choice: whether to keep her daughter close by her side or give her the chance to survive by letting her go. The Yellow Bird Sings is a powerfully gripping and deeply moving novel about the unbreakable bond between parent and child and the triumph of humanity and hope in even the darkest circumstances. Jennifer Rosner MacMillan Publishers RRP $34.99
HUNGRY
Hungry is a book about not only the hunger for food, but for risk, for reinvention, for creative breakthroughs, and for connection. Feeling stuck in his work and home life, writer Jeff Gordinier happened into a fateful meeting with Danish chef René Redzepi, whose restaurant, Noma, has been called the best in the world. A restless perfectionist, Redzepi was at the top of his game but was looking to tear it all down, to shutter his restaurant and set out for new places, flavours, and recipes. This is the story of the subsequent four years of globe-trotting culinary adventure, with Gordinier joining Redzepi as his Sancho Panza. Along the way, readers meet Redzepi’s merry band of friends and collaborators, including acclaimed chefs. Hungry is a memoir, a travelogue, a portrait of a chef, and a chronicle of the moment when daredevil cooking became the most exciting and groundbreaking form of artistry. Jeff Gordinier Icon Books RRP $39.99
LIVE MORE, THINK LESS
Live More Think Less presents strategies for regaining control over your thoughts - learning not only how to overcome depression, but how to avoid developing it altogether. Many of us believe that the best way to treat crises and challenges is to process them: to mull over and analyse the stresses, anxieties and traumas we face. But this perception is misguided. Instead, we should think of our mind as a sieve, through which everything slips unless we choose to hold onto it. But how do we let go of those negative thoughts we’ve held onto which are weighing us down? The first practical book on metacognitive therapy - a groundbreaking new treatment for depression - Live More Think Less presents guidance, case studies, and exercises and tips from the therapy room. Dr Pia Callesen shows us that depression is not an inevitable disease, but something which we can learn to control and prevent, by living more and thinking less. Dr Pia Callesen Icon Books RRP $32.99
ELASTIC ISLAND ADVENTURES: ALPHABET RESORT
Suitable for children aged 7 - 12 years, Alphabet Resort is the fourth in the Elastic Island Adventures children’s book series by New Zealand author Karen McMillan. Kiri, Jed, and twins Emma and Ethan, discover an ‘elastic’ island that sends them pinging across the ocean to a variety of destinations. The children are excited to be going to the wedding of King Shiny and Princess Topaz. Love is in the air, especially when they encounter Wombo the Wombat, a bachelor looking for love, who they decide to help. But then Princess Topaz is kidnapped, and everyone begins a frantic hunt to find her. Will they find her in time for the wedding, and will Wombo the Wombat succeed in finding love? The series, set in the South Pacific, is in the initial stages of being developed into a feature film. Karen McMillan Lighthouse Books RRP $19.99
FROZEN SUMMER
Frozen Summer is the third book in a compelling series of crime novels featuring ex-detective Dan Calder. Dan has made a new life in New Zealand, but an unsolved cold case causes Dan to return to England to investigate the death of murdered drug mule Zoe Summers. Dan is the only suspect in her killing – as an undercover police officer he was at the scene, but he was unconscious for a time, so he doesn’t know if he killed her or not. At the time he covered up being there. But the thought he may have somehow caused her death – however unlikely it seems given his character – has been psychologically torturing him over the years, and now he is determined to get to the truth, even if he finds out he is the killer. Author Ian Austin is an ex-police detective who is being compared to Ian Rankin Ian Austin IA Books RRP $23.99
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Travel your own path in confidence with NZ’s best RV insurance.
45 Mollify (7) 48 Mere rhetoric (5,5) 53 Farm vehicle (7) 57 Falsehoods (4) 58 Eastern market (6) 59 Sharp (6) 60 Make louder (7) 62 Make a mistake (3) 64 Study of earthquakes (10) 65 Recent arrival (8) 66 Inexperienced (5) 69 Showy trinket (6) 70 Thrown bomb (7) 71 Business colleague (9) 76 Surgical procedure (9) 77 Woven trimming (5) 78 Fan (7) 83 Weakened (8) 84 Below (10) 85 Farm enclosure (6) 86 Pause with uncertainty (8) 87 Defraud or rob someone of all their money (4,2,3,8)
DOWN 2 Inaugurate (6) 3 Essential (5) 4 Vase (3) 5 Colourful gemstone (4) 6 Small flow (7) 7 Breathe out (6) 8 Unrestricted (4) 9 Reload it (anag)(8) 11 Room to manoeuvre (6) 12 Academic (10) 13 Cereal heads (4) 14 Horizon (7) 18 Anti-authority, defiant (10) 20 Give off (4) 23 Swindle (5) 24 Abuse (8) 26 See (7) 28 Advance showing (7) 30 Maintenance (6) 31 Armed thief (6) 32 Hedge shrub (6) 35 Domain (5) 37 Apple drink (5) 38 Employer (4) 40 Dress in (4)
45 Book of maps (5) 46 Treasured (8) 47 Make possible (6) 48 Overstate (10) 49 Skin hole (4) 50 Longed for (7) 51 Capital of Canada (6) 52 As above (5) 54 Sloping path (4) 55 Guilty one (7) 56 Counterbalance (6) 61 Inconspicuous limitations in a contract (5,5) 63 Wading bird (5) 67 Sleeping problem (8) 68 Sagacious (4) 69 Polish by rubbing (7) 72 Green vegetable (7) 73 Pressing (6) 74 Quickly, at once (6) 75 Shackle (6) 79 Keyboard instrument (5) 80 Musical work (4) 81 Yield (4) 82 Fashionable (4) 85 Pastry-covered dish (3)
Across: 1 Flavour of the month, 10 Glistens, 15 Mutton, 16 Arithmetic, 17 Lethargy, 19 Scolded, 21 Skill, 22 Pole vault, 25 Freighter, 27 Spheres, 29 Estate, 33 Appal, 34 Marriage, 36 Altruistic, 39 Vow, 41 Lexicon, 42 Gandhi, 43 Evolve, 44 Feud, 45 Appease, 48 Empty words, 53 Tractor, 57 Lies, 58 Bazaar, 59 Astute, 60 Amplify, 62 Err, 64 Seismology, 65 Newcomer, 66 Green, 69 Bauble, 70 Grenade, 71 Associate, 76 Operation, 77 Braid, 78 Devotee, 83 Impaired, 84 Underneath, 85 Pigsty, 86 Hesitate, 87 Take to the cleaners. Down: 2 Launch, 3 Vital, 4 Urn, 5 Opal, 6 Trickle, 7 Exhale, 8 Open, 9 Tailored, 11 Leeway, 12 Scholastic, 13 Ears, 14 Skyline, 18 Rebellious, 20 Emit, 23 Cheat, 24 Maltreat, 26 Realise, 28 Preview, 30 Upkeep, 31 Bandit, 32 Privet, 35 Realm, 37 Cider, 38 Boss, 40 Wear, 45 Atlas, 46 Precious, 47 Enable, 48 Exaggerate, 49 Pore, 50 Yearned, 51 Ottawa, 52 Ditto, 54 Ramp, 55 Culprit, 56 Offset, 61 Small print, 63 Heron, 67 Insomnia, 68 Wise, 69 Burnish, 72 Spinach, 73 Urgent, 74 Pronto, 75 Fetter, 79 Organ, 80 Opus, 81 Cede, 82 Chic, 85 Pie.
ACROSS 1 Fad, craze, person quickly discarded after being in demand (7,2,3,5) 10 Shines wetly (8) 15 Sheep meat (6) 16 Branch of mathematics (10) 17 Sluggishness (8) 19 Told off (7) 21 Special ability (5) 22 High-rising sport (4,5) 25 Cargo ship (9) 27 Orbs (7) 29 Property (6) 33 Horrify (5) 34 Wedlock (8) 36 Showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others (10) 39 Pledge (3) 41 Dictionary (7) 42 Mahatma _____ (6) 43 Develop over time (6) 44 Prolonged bitter quarrel (4)
SUDOKU
62
7
4 4 9
3
Fill in the grids so every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9
3 56 17 1
U 2 I 5 7 L N WORD R 4 ROUND 8 EAHQ 1 U I 9
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181
How many words of 4 letters or more can you make? There is at least one 9-letter word. Each letter may be used only once and all 181 words must contain the centre letter. No words starting with a capital, no plurals ending in s. Find the missing lette Good 32 reading clockwise or 7Good How many Very 41 words of 4 letters Excellent 49+ or more can you make? There
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A Q
N
4 1 E 8 5HWORDWHE 7 3 6 9 2 WordWh 14 2 7 2 6 93 1 3 4 8 5 5 6 Fill in the grids so3 every row, column the 94 and93x3 box contains 1numbers 1-9 3 8 GO 7 9 2 9 5 1 6 8 4 3 7 SUDOKU GOROUND 2 1 7 WORD in grids the grids so every row, column 3x3 boxthe contains the CRYPTIC CROSSWORD in the so every row, column and 3x3 and box contains numbers SUDOKUFill Fill SUDOKU GOROUND at3 least 7 one 9-letter GO 41-9numbers 75 8 1-9 8 259WORDWHEEL 7 235GO 61 9 2 6 GO WORD 7 44 1 3WORD 6isEach 4 9word.2 1 5 8 7ROUND letter may be used 17 88 6 6 941 6712 372256 893 21 463 465 4 6 8 5 51 2 7 9 5 1 6WordWheel 8 4A3 7Q only once and all words must H 36 42 2 631 3497 48 9 72116 5 88 8contain 7 the6centre9 letter. 2 No5 3E4 1 85 3 6 55 8 7954 73 59 5 11 8 6 7 8 6 7 9 1 4 2 1 words starting with a capital, 8 5 9 7 4 2 11 9 8 7 6 6 E94 1H I plurals 7 56 92 2 U 34 3 63 8 954 letters 9no 2 4ending7in s.3 1T 5 8 6 1How83many 7 5 5 72 58 3 55 3256 14 796 9 1 4 Good 32 words of T 9 1 3 4 ? HARD 9 1 3 1 7 688 3 5 72 9 4 9MEDIUM or more 9 2 can 4 7 3 1 5 8 6 Very 41 make? N 3Excellent R 92111 2 4is at36least 7 you 1WORDWHEEL 5 73There 5Good1 7 2 9 4 2 7 8939 2 CROSSWORD 84 4610 7961 8 49+ 6 8 4 95 3 10 511one6 9-letter 8 4Sword. 211 9 O 7 S CRYPTIC 92 1 3 5 8 2 6 4 7 4 1 8 5 7 3 6 9 2 6 47 5 7 6 2 9 1 3 4 Each letter the missing EPmust 86 37Find 5be1 7used 98 6 letter 4Hto make a word 1 8 2 3 5 7 9 6 4 8 42 may R reading or anticlockwise all words P R 94 59and 1 6WordWheel 8 clockwise 7 5 4 841 22312 6472 6916193993 571 48238475827165138265 91 6 3only 121557once 2 How 1 6many 84words 73 37 of 4 letters 3 9 474 2 contain the centre letter. No 9 82 1 9 7words 9873 4851 7 1 6 57 8 4 7 6 2 5 4 9 2 1 6 8 7 3 8 57 3 4 236 9 423 1 6 3 9 2 1 5 8 or more can you make? There starting with a capital, 8 1 6 3 9 7 6 4 9 2 1 5 12 13 E 9-letter 8 5 9 7 6 is at least one word. H 141 ANACROSS Insert the missing lette ANACROSS no plurals ending in s. 5 3 4 2 1 9 8 7 6 8 7 6 9 2 5 3 4 1 8 6 4 2 5 7 6 2 8 35 9 7 7 5 Each may be used 3letter 9and 7 the6anagrams, 3 8then 4fiteight-letter 9 2word1readi5 7 8 5 1161Good217326How46many the 15 9 Twords only all ?must Solve ofwords 4 letters 14 once
U R
MEDIUM
I N E HA Q A Q U LU I I L L N R R E H E HN
L
HARD
Find the missing letter to make a word 181 reading clockwise or anticlockwise 2101
181
181
2101
Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or anticlockwise. Previous solution: CONJUROR
SOLUTION 180 asker karst kart kens kept kern knap nark narks park parks peak peaks perk perks prank PRANKSTER rake raker rakes rank ranker rankest ranks sake saker sank sark skat skate skater skean 181skep snake snark sneak spake spank spanker spark sparker speak stake stank stark starker steak 195046 strake streak take taken taker takes tank tanker task 180 teak trek treks SOLUTION
ANACRO 2 4 417 3 1 5 8 6 MEDIUM 9 1 99 Good 31 7 26 8 3 45 82 9 4 17HARD 8Very ANACROSS 3 9 7 or more can you make? There How many words of 4 letters 8 9 2 4 6 7 1 5 3 3 5 1 6 8 4 7 2 9 Excellent 49+ is at least one 9-letter word. 9 10 11 PEST YET O S 9 1 8 7 9 3 15 16 17 CRYPTIC CROSSWORD WORDWHEEL 24 1 8 2356 79 2 96 1 8 2Each 572to17make make? There used 9 1 3 568 2 6 4 77 4 5 33 missing 56 49letter 8 a word 3 letter 5 7 may 9orbe 6more 4 can you NOD CROC Find the R is at least one 9-letter word. only once and P all words must reading clockwise or anticlockwise WordWheel 14 2 7 23 6 6 3 4 5 6 7 DYES SOY 3 4 1 9 7 8 5 6 2 5 4 9 2 1 6 8 7 3 4 7 6 9 1 39 875 22 9 5 121 46 8 4 3217 13 5 8 contain the centre letter. Nomay be used Each letter CRYPTIC CROSSWORD WORDWHEEL IM GREAT words starting with a5 capital, 9 1 3 5 8 2 6 4 7 4 1 8 5 7 3 6 9 2 7 8 5 1 2 6 4 3 9 7 6 3 8 4 9 2 1 only once and all words must 6 5 87 7 4 53 9 221 6 3 7 4 9 2 1 5 814 189 19 no plurals ANACROSS ending in s. the centre ICE IN US ANACROSS 3 9 1 7 6 contain letter. No 4 2 72 6 9331 3 4 8 2 55 247E 9 5 H 1 6WordWheel 814 3 7 8 5 89 72 16 159 2 5 633 47 14 9 2 1 516 8 HARD17 Good 32 8 3 4 2 1 9 8 7 6 NIPS AIR words starting with a capital, 6 5 8 7 4 3MEDIUM Very Good 41 SOLUTION 180 T 7 86 69 2?5 3E49 asker no plurals endingGRIN in s. YES H karst kart 1 7 678 3 552 9 58 42 Excellent 49+kern kens kept 3 4 2 1 9 9832 7 64 7 3 1 85 1 CRYPTIC CROSSWORD WORDWHEEL PEST YET knap nark narks park parks Good 32 20 9 T2 21 9 1 3 5 8 2 6 4 7 4 1 8 5 7 3 6 MEDIUM 18 19 ? HARD prankVery Good 41 8 97 3O Find the letter 9 41 6 8 4S 97 22 4 missing 1 5to make 8 peak 6a word peaks perk perks 9 9 2 4 610 7 1 5 1 3711 6 8 3 5 32 5 NOD CROC reading or7anticlockwise raker rakes rank 1 2 7 3 1 34 8 5 5 Excellent 49+ 65WordWheel 1 clockwise 83 4S 7 2 PRANKSTER 9 Orankestrake DYES SOY 2 6 CRYPTIC 94 3 52 46 79CROSSWORD 1 89 89 2 4 610 7 11 6 85 32211739 55 7139 68 464WORDWHEEL ranker ranks sake saker P R Across Down 296 269 314 5 74 57 41 8962023 147 61 755the 38missing 9 2 sank sark skat skate skater skean 21 IM GREAT 8 7253 31 7 96 6 4 69 95178387 554 8 32 2 41898 Find letter to make a word 3 4 1 6 P skep snake snark sneak Anything to doR with Jewish feast is spake 1.reading 1. Measures kisses with beaks (5) 12 13 E H ICE IN US clockwise or7anticlockwise WordWheel 1 32 47 2 2 61 99 33 4 96 5 5 6 28 6 7 2 7 95 2 4 1 7 8 4 9 2 1 6 8 7 3 spank spanker spark sparker speak 4 1 3 8 5 5 1 6 8 4 3 5 8 7 6 5 3 4 1 8 cash, pal! (7) 2. Curators dowel may NIPS be of this Down 7 8 5 1 2 6 4 143 129 7 6 133Across 8 4 9 2 1 5about stake stankSOLUTION stark starker180 steak AIR 195 7 Jewish 6 1 3T 85isMisrepresenting 41.8Measures 9 62 kisses 1?strake 5with feast 1. Anything beaks ANACROSS streak taken taker takes flat (5) (5)takekarst hue (5,8) 16 75 688 73 457 328 95 142 2 16 4 143 99 2ANACROSS 7with 37 ANACROSS 64topal!do(7)3 45. 9 2 1dowel 5tank 8tanker kart kens kept kern ANACROSS GRIN YES about cash, 2. Curators may be of thisasker task teak trekthen treksfit the Solve the anagrams, knap nark narks parks creation not usually 8. Repairing used to make 3. park Weather 15 16 17 flat17(5) 5. Misrepresenting (5,8) core E H 15 1 5 3 8 3 5 8116core7 6used 86 4S 72hue 25 9 3creation CRYPTIC CROSSWORD perk perks prank 95 intopeak the peaks crossword grid. 8 711 6 9airmail 4words 8 93 244 261017 9 8. Repairing to make 3. Weather not1 usually O delivery (7,6) found accommodated in a hostel CRYPTIC CROSSWORD PRANKSTER rake raker rakes rank Across: 1. Paschal, 5. airmail delivery (7,6) found accommodated in a hostel SOLUTION 180 21 67 963 85 34 57 1 8 1 8 2 3 5 7 9 6 4 T ? Cut saying (3) 9. P 1.(9) Paschal, 5. Lying, 8. Carrier pigeon, 9. Saw, 10. Sandpaper, 12. rankerAcross: rankest ranks sake saker PEST YET YET 2 9 4 9 6 (3) 2 4 7 3 9. Cut saying (9) 1R5 8PEST asker karst kart16. kens kept kern 20. Godly, Hoodoo, 13. Unwell, 15 Hoodoo, 13. Unwell, 15. Coopering, Sot, 18. Irrecoverable, 21. Rickets. sank sark skat skate skater skean 18 19 18 Rasped nap about withskep thissnake (9) 1.snark 4. Artist back in big cat parks vocal 10. Rasped about this 4.7Artist3back in big cat vocal 3 4 119 9 7 8 5 6 132 5 4 9nap 2some1with 6 (9)10. 8SUDOKU knap nark narks NOD CROC Down: Pecks, 2. Straw coloured, 3.park Hailstone, 4. Larynx, 5. Lei, 6.Down: Inexpressible, sneak spake 1. Pecks, 2. Str NOD CROC WORD 12 12. Head of hair,5 chook6 12. chords (6) 8 9 2 4 6 7 1 5 3 3 1 8 4 7 2 9 Head of hair, some chook chords (6) peak peaks perk perks prank General, 11. Panegyric, 12. speak Hacking, 14. Silver, 17. Teens, 19. Cry. spank 7. spanker spark sparker 9 10 11 18 MEDIUM
anticlockwise. askerinto karst kens keptgrid. kern words thekart crossword knap nark narks park parks peak peaks perk perks prank PRANKSTER rake raker rakes rank ranker rankest ranks sake saker sank sark skat skate skater skean skep snake snark sneak spake spank spanker spark sparker speak stake stank stark starker steak 195046 strake streak take taken taker takes tank tanker task teak trekthen treksfit the Solve the anagrams,
contain the centre letter. No words starting with a capital, no plurals ending in s. Good 32 Very Good 41 Excellent 49+
19
HARD
T
WORDWHEEL PROPHETS
O R A N G T R I M S E
E
D
2 7 8 1 6 9 4 3 5 9 3 5 4 8 2 6 7 1 6 4 1 3 5 7 9 8 2
5
O
3 8 2 5 1 4 7 6 9
7 5
2 7
8 6 9 1
S
C O D S Y S A S E T Y
N C U R I S P I N P E
ANACROSS
7 6 9 2 3 8 5 1 4 5 1 4 9 7 6 3 2 8 8 5 7 6 4 1 2 9 3 1 9 3 7 2 5 8 4 6
3 9 7 2 SUDOKU 7 5 5 2 3 MEDIUM 5 6 3 9 1 3 5 8 2 6 4 7 4 23 7 6 4 9 19 3 8 15 1 68 5 8 67 4 32 9 2 1 59 3 4 2 7 1 9 8 17 6 6 1 7 6 8 3 5 2 9 4 3 8 7 9 8 9 2 4 6 7 1 5 3 2 5 7 6 2 6 9 3 5 4 7 1 8 3 44 1 9 7 81 5 6 82 7 8 5 1 2 6 4 93 9
7 5
4 2 6 8 9 3 1 5 7
HARD
8
4
9 6
Previous solution: CONJUROR
4
49 19WORDWHEEL 3 8 15 PROPHETS 1 4 32 9 2 1 71 9 817 6 6 3 5 2 9 4 8 7 9 6 7 1 5 3 5 45 7 71 8 6
T
8 2 6 4 7
3
3
1 3 5 23 7 6 5 8 67 3 4 2 7 6 8 9 2 4 6 9 23
9 7
9 6
1
2
1 6 8 7 9 7 1 5 3 45 7 71 8 6 81 5 6 82 6 4 93 9
1
9 6
SUDOKU 7 5 5 2 MEDIUM 5 6
4
C O D S Y S A S E T Y
8
7
4
4
3
1 3 5 23 7 6 5 8 67 3 4 2 7 6 8 9 2 4 6 9 23 44 1 9 8 5 1
8 5 7 6 4 1 2 9 3
SUDOKU 7 5 5 2 MEDIUM 5 6
9 4 68 59 1 3 8 2 3 7
1 9 3 7 2 5 8 4 6
HARD
4 2 6 8 9 3 1 5 7
ANACROSS
C O D S Y S A S E T Y
WORDWHEEL PROPHETS
7 5
N
2
E
D
N C U R I S P I N P E
2 7
5 ANACROSS
1
7 5 8 6 9 1
O R A N G T R I M S E
2 7 8 1 6 9 4 3 5 9 3 5 4 8 2 6 7 1 6 4 1 3 5 7 9 8 2 3 8 2 5 1 4 7 6 9 7 6 9 2 3 8 5 1 4 5 1 4 9 7 6 3 2 8 8 5 7 6 4 1 2 9 3 1 9 3 7 2 5 8 4 6 4 2 6 8 9 3 1 5 7
4
8
4
1
9 6
4
7
© THE PUZZLE COMPANY
5
8 6 9 1
1
2 7
Previous solution: CONJUROR
© THE PUZZLE COMPANY
HARD
anticlockwise.
7
7 6 3 8 4 9 innards, 2 1 1lizard 5 tailDYES SOYstank stark stake starker steak rake raker rakes 046 5 8oregano 7PRANKSTER 5. Wreath from195 Galilei region (3) rank for curse Indescribable six, beepers nil, 6tips IM GREAT 2 6 9 3 215 20 4 7 1 8 21 used 1 (6)8 ANACROSS 2 3 (6)56.unfortunately 7 9 (13) 6and 4 ANACROSS strake WORD streak taken rankest taker takes ranker ranks sake saker GOtake ROUND A 20 13. United Nations OK? Or feebleused GREAT for curseP (6)IMR 6. Indescribable six, beepers nil, tanker task teak trek treks alien earl elan equal hail hale HARLEQUIN hauler haulier heal hernial ICE IN US sark skat skater skean Solve thearilanagrams, then fit haler the 1tank 5sank 5skate 6 haul 3 15 16 15. 17 Peg no coir for this old container 4 7. Enlarge about military9 position WORD GO ROUND 3 4 1 9 7 8 5 6 2 5 4 9 2 1 6 8 7 3 hilar(6) hula hurl inhale snake inhaler lain lair lanesneak lean learn liar lien lieu line linear liner lira United Nations OK? Or feeble 13. unfortunately (13) Across Down ICE IN US skep snark spake Uequa wordsNIPS into the crossword grid. trade (9) (7) 12 13 earl elan lire lunar lunespank lure nail spanker nailer neuralspark quail quale rail rale real renal rhinal rial aril riel rile 1. Anything kisses with beaks (5) the letter toold complete an cross Down to do with Jewish feast is 1. Measures 2 7.AIR 9 speak 1 alien 7reading 3 military 4sparker PegLaudatory no missing coirdiscourse for thiscould container Enlarge about position 16. Thus time is alcoholic (3) 15.Insert 11. rule ulnar unreal urinal NIPS AIR GRIN YES cash,4 pal! (7) 2. Curators dowel may be of this8 4 8 Jewish 5 1feast2isabout 6Measures 3 9 6 9 2 1 5 eight-letter word clockwise or ulna ulnae hilar hula hurl inhale in stake stank stark starker steak 18. Barrel 7 over ice may3 not be trade make prince gay (9) 046 Anything to7do with 1. kisses with beaks (5) PEST YET 195 (9) (7) 14 flat (5) anticlockwise. Misrepresenting hue (5,8) ANACROSS Rnail ANACROSS retrievable (13) 12. Working4a hickGRIN nag? (7) YES 7 lire lunar 6 takencould 2taker takes 1 lune lure 19 5. strake8streak take bout cash,18 pal! (7) 2. Curators 8. Repairing coredowel used tomay makebe of this 3. Weather creation not usually Thus timefrom is alcoholic (3) 16.CRYPTIC 11. Laudatory discourse NOD CROC 20. Holy devout (5) 14. Element fossil verbenas tank tanker task teak trek treks CROSSWORD rule ulna ulnae ulnar un Misrepresenting flat (5) hue (5,8) airmail delivery (7,6) found in a hostel Solve the anagrams, then fit the 15 16accommodated E 21. Disease for17 Little Richard aliens (6) 5DYES 9 into12.gay 1 6 Across: 1. Paschal, 5.8Lying, Carrier Saw, 10. Sandpaper, 18. Barrel over ice may8. not bepigeon, 9.SOY make prince (9) 7 saying (3) creation not usually 9. Cut (9) Repairing core used to make 3. Weather words the crossword grid. (7) 17. Tense youths? Hoodoo, 13. Unwell, 15.(5) Coopering, 16. Sot, 18. Irrecoverable, 20. Godly, 21. Rickets. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD retrievable (13) 12. Working a hick nag? (7) 10. Rasped nap about with this (9) 4. Artist back in big cat vocal many rmail delivery found 19. Weep from ryegrass3. (3) Down: Pecks, 2. allergic Straw coloured, Hailstone, 4. Larynx, 5. Lei,3 6. Inexpressible, 20 (7,6) 21accommodated in a hostel 1Sandpaper, 8 7 9 How GREAT Lying, 8.1.9 Carrier pigeon, 9. Saw, IM 10. 12.Element 12. Head chords (6) Across: 1. Paschal, 5.20. or more can Holy devout (5) 12. 14. from fossil verbenas 7. General, 11. Panegyric, Hacking, 14. Silver, 17. Teens, 19. Cry. YET Cut saying (3) (9) of hair, some chook innards, lizard tail and oregano tips 5. Wreath from Galilei (3) 15. Coopering, 16. Sot, 18. Irrecoverable, 20. Godly, 21.PEST is at least o Hoodoo, 13.region Unwell, Rickets. IN US 0. Rasped nap Artist back 6 3. for 4ICE 2 5 7 6 21.coloured, Disease Little 4. Richard aliens (6) 18 about with this (9) used 194.for Each letter curse (6) in big cat vocal 6. Indescribable Down:six,1.beepers Pecks, nil, 2. Straw Hailstone, Larynx, 5. Lei, 6. Inexpressible, WORD GO ROUND NOD CROC 2. Head Across of hair, some chook (6)Down only once a United Nations OK? Or feeble (6) unfortunately 13.chords (13) (7) Tense NIPS AIR 7. General, Panegyric,alien 17.haler Teens, 19. Cry. earl elan14. equal hail7 hale HARLEQUIN haul17. hauler haulieryouths? heal hernial(5) do withtips Jewish feast 1. Anything kisses(3) beaks (5)military11. 312.arilHacking, 9Silver, 2lien 4liner 1 (3)8 contain the 15.5. Peg no is coir1. forMeasures thisGalilei old container 7.with Enlarge about position nards, lizard tail andtooregano Wreath from region hilar hula hurl inhale inhaler lain lair lane lean learn liar lieu line linear lira 19. Weep from allergic ryegrass DYES SOY words start GRIN YES about(6) cash, pal! (7) 2. Curators dowel may trade (7) be of this ed for curse 6. (9) Indescribable six, beepers nil, lire renal rhinal rial riel rile no plurals e 3 rale realIM 9 7lunar lune lure 5 nail nailer2neural quail quale rail WORD GO ROUND Thus time ishue 11. Laudatory discourse could Misrepresenting flat (5) (5,8)(3) (6)16.unfortunately 3. United5.Nations (13) rule ulna ulnae ulnar unreal urinal 20 OK? Or feeble 21alcoholic Good 32 GREAT 1
7 8 5 1 2 6 4 143 9
N
Insert the missing letter to complete an 2101 21 eight-letter word reading clockwise or Find the missing letter to make a word anticlockwise. Previous solution: CONJUROR reading clockwise or anticlockwise Across Down 2101 1. Anything to do with Jewish feast is 1. Measures kisses with beaks (5) words into the crossword grid. about cash, pal! (7) 2. Curators dowel may be of this 5. Misrepresenting flat (5) hue (5,8) © THE PUZZLE COMPANY SOLUTION 180 8. Repairing core used to make 3. Weather creation not usually CRYPTIC CROSSWORD asker karst kart kens kept kern airmail delivery (7,6) found accommodated in a hostel Across: 1. Paschal, 5. Lying, knap nark narks park parks8. Carrier pigeon, 9. Saw, 10. Sandpaper, 12. 9. Cut saying (3) (9) Hoodoo, 13. Unwell, 15. Coopering, peak peaks perk perks prank 16. Sot, 18. Irrecoverable, 20. Godly, 21. Rickets. 10. Rasped nap about with this (9) 4. Artist back in 2101 big cat vocal PRANKSTER raker rakes rank Down: 1. Pecks,rake 2. Straw coloured, 3. Hailstone, 4. Larynx, 5. Lei, 6. Inexpressible, 12. Head of hair, some chook chords (6) ranker rankest ranks sake 7. General, 11. Panegyric, 12. saker Hacking, 14. Silver, 17. Teens, 19. Cry. innards, lizard tail and oregano tips 5. Wreath from Galilei region (3) sank sark skat skate skater skean Insert an skep snake snark sneak spake used for cursethe (6)missing letter to complete 6. Indescribable six, beepers nil, eight-letter word reading clockwise WORD GO ROUNDspark046 theor missing letter spank spanker sparker speak Nations OK? Or feeble (6)Insert 13. United unfortunately (13) to complete an 2101 CONJUROR word reading clockwise or Previous solution: eight-letter anticlockwise. alien aril earl elan hail steak hale haler HARLEQUIN haul hauler haulier heal hernial stake stank starkequal starker 195046 15. Peg no coir for this old containeranticlockwise. 7. Enlarge about military position Previous solution: CONJUROR hilar hula hurl inhale inhaler taker lain lair lane lean learn liar lien lieu line linear strake streak take taken takes ©liner THE lira PUZZLE COMPANY trade (9) (7) tank tanker task teaknailer trekthen treksfitquail lire lunar luneanagrams, lure nail neural quale rail rale real renal rhinal rial riel rile Solve the the 16. Thus time is alcoholic (3) 11. Laudatory discourse could © THEulna PUZZLE COMPANY rule ulnae ulnar unreal urinal words into the crossword grid. 18. Barrel over ice may not be make prince gay (9) retrievable (13) 12. Working a hick nag? (7) 20. Holy devout (5) 14. Element from fossil verbenas 21. Disease for Little Richard aliens (6) Fill in the grids so every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9 (7) 17. Tense youths? (5) Insert the missing letter to complete an Weepfrom fromGalilei allergic ryegrass 7. General, 11. Panegy innards, lizard tail and oregano tipsword 5. 19. Wreath (3) (3) DYES SOY eight-letter reading clockwise orregion
1 4 3 9 7 2 SUDOKU 7 5 5 2 3 MEDIUM 5 6 3 9 1 3 5 8 2 6 4 7 4 23 7 6 4 9 19 3 8 15 1 68 5 8 67 4 32 9 2 1 59 3 4 2 7 1 9 8 17 6 6 1 7 6 8 3 5 2 9 4 3 8 7 9 8 9 2 4 6 7 1 5 3 2 5 7 6 2 6 9 3 5 4 7 1 8 3 44 1 9 7 81 5 6 82 7 8 5 1 2 6 4 93 9
20
Previous s
P R
? O
ANACROSS
C O D S Y S A S E T Y
N C U R I S P I N P E C O D S Y S A S E T Y
© THE PUZZLE COMPANY
WORDWHEEL PROPHETS
T
N
O R A N G T R I M S E
E
D
2 7 8 1 6 9 4 3 5 9 3 5 4 8 2 6 7 1
ANACROSS
SOLUTION 1 asker karst ka knap nark nar peak peaks p PRANKSTER ranker rankes sank sark ska skep snake s spank spanke stake stank s strake streak tank tanker ta Solve the a
words into t
PEST YE NOD CR DYES S IM GRE ICE IN U NIPS AI GRIN YE
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Across: 1. Paschal, 5. Lying, 8. Carrier pigeon, 9. Saw, 10 Hoodoo, 13. Unwell, 15. Coopering, 16. Sot, 18. Irrecoverab Down: 1. Pecks, 2. Straw coloured, 3. Hailstone, 4. Larynx 7. General, 11. Panegyric, 12. Hacking, 14. Silver, 17. Teen
WORD GO ROUND alien aril earl elan equal hail hale haler HARLEQUIN haul ha 99lean learn liar lien hilar hula hurl inhale inhaler lain lair lane lire lunar lune lure nail nailer neural quail quale rail rale rea rule ulna ulnae ulnar unreal urinal 1 6 9
7 5
0800 250 600 2
6
6 4 1 3 5 7 9 8 2 3 8 2 5 1 4 7 6 9 7 6 9 2 3 8 5 1 4 5 1 4 9 7 6 3 2 8 8 5 7 6 4 1 2 9 3 1 9 3 7 2 5 8 4 6
Call us:
4 2 6 8 9 3 1 5 7
HARD
Down 1. Measures kisses with beaks (5) 2. Curators dowel may be of this hue (5,8) 3. Weather creation not usually found accommodated in a hostel (9) 4. Artist back in big cat vocal chords (6) 5. Wreath from Galilei region (3) 6. Indescribable six, beepers nil, unfortunately (13) 7. Enlarge about military position (7) 11. Laudatory discourse could
Very Good Excellent 4
9 4 68 59 1 3 8 2
3
E H
WORDWHEEL PROPHETS
N C U R I S P I N P E
ANACROSS
3
4
WORDWHEEL PROPHETS
S Y R I N G E S S T A S P I R I N E N M T Y P E S E T
T
E
D
WORDWHEEL PROPHETS
N
O
C O D S Y S A S E T Y
N C U R I S P I N P E
ANACROSS
O R A N G T R I M S E
N
R I N ANACROSS M C O N C O R D S E DT U A
2 7 8 1 6 9 4 3 5 9 3 5 4 8 2 6 7 1 6 4 1 3 5 7 9 8 2 3 8 2 5 1 4 7 6 9 7 6 9 2 3 8 5 1 4 4 1 2 9 6R3 8 7 9A2 3G5 1 8 5T 4 7 6
8 5 7 D 6 4 E1 2 9 3
5 1 4 9 7 6 3 2 8
6 5 7 2
58 89 26 4 2 72 26 99 3 3 44 1 9 97 68 54 1 8 7 3 HARD 2 1 5 1 4 7 6 9 3 8 5 1 4 7 6 3 2 8 4 1 2 9 3 2 5 8 4 6 9 3 1 5 7
2 7 8 1 6 9 4 3 5 9 3 5 4 8 2 6 7 1 6 4 1 3 5 7 9 8 2 3 8 2 5 1 4 7 6 9 7 6 9 2 3 8 5 1 4 5 1 4 9 7 6 3 2 8 5 7 6 4 1 2 9 3 9 3 7 2 5 8 4 6 2 6 8 9 3 1 5 7
5 8
3
6HARD 94 1 8
6 74 3 8 82 9
9 4 68 59 1 3 8 2 3 7
3
9 6
1 3 5 23 7 6 5 8 67 3 4 2 7 6 8 9 2 4 6 9 23 44 1 9 8 5 1
8
49
9
SUDOKU 7 5 5 MEDIUM 5
8
6
8 5 7 6 4 1 2 9 3
5 1 4 9 7 6 3 2 8
words into the crossword grid.
4 9 2 1 5 ANACROSS ANACROSS
Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or anticlockwise. Previous solution: CONJUROR
WORDWHEEL 7 3 6 9 2 Find the missing letter to make a word reading 6WordWheel 8 clockwise 4 3 or7anticlockwise 9 2 1 5 8 H 2 5 3E4 1 3 1T 5 8 6 ? 8 4S 7 2 9 O 5 7 9P6 R 4 1 6 8 7 3
SOLUTION 180 asker karst kart kens kept kern knap nark narks park parks peak peaks perk perks prank PRANKSTER rake raker rakes rank ranker rankest ranks sake saker sank sark skat skate skater skean skep snake snark sneak spake spank spanker spark sparker speak stake stank stark starker steak 195046 strake streak take taken taker takes tank tanker task teak trekthen treksfit the Solve the anagrams,
2101
HARD
MEDIUM
3
PEST YET NOD CROC DYES SOY IM GREAT ICE IN US NIPS AIR GRIN YES
7
4
3
2 7
1
7
9 8 17 5 2 9 8 7 1 5 45 7 71 81 5 6 6 4 93
9 7 3
2 7
8 6 9 1
9 6
4
4 71 3 6 5 7 2
1
4
5 8
9 6
4
7 5
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9
no plurals ending in s. Good 32 Very Good 41 Excellent 49+
THE ORIGINAL 30 SECOND TENT SECONDS TO PITCH. SECOND TO NONE.
Due to its modular design, you can add two or more tents side by side or awning to awning. If you own a motorhome, campervan or a caravan then this tent provides an instant extra room which can be freestanding or easily attached to a sail track. The OZTENT is also the perfect tent for fishing or boating. Spend more time fishing and boating and less time erecting your tent. The OZTENT gives you time to relax and enjoy the great outdoors because that is the very reason you are out there. You won’t regret the convenience, durability and ease of use this tent offers.
OZTENT Furniture, Total comfort and quality • All made with heavy-duty steel frames. • All chairs have adjustable lumbar support. • 150kg weight rating on chairs & stretchers. • 5 year warranty.
MHZ-FP-5169661-TS-179
• Made from 100% Waterproof Guaranteed Rip-stop Polycotton canvas with double stitched and tape sealed seams • Heavy Duty, Waterproof heat sealed PVC floor • All guy ropes are attached and concealed in tent pockets • Comes with large attached awning with zippers for all accessories • Five models available plus many optional accessories • 2 Year Warranty
OZTENT chairs and stretchers Total comfort & quality with 150kg weight rating. Plus five year warranty.
Visit our website oztentnz.co.nz for more info and online shopping or phone 0800 109 933 Call into our showroom at 83-85 Bourke Street, Palmerston North. Now Available at Rotorua Heating & Outdoors, 3 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua.
Revolution
MHZ-FP-5139779-CS-181
Designed to suit you. Hand-crafted to pursuit New Zealand.
Meet the Revolution, the custom-built motorhome with a difference. Designed how you want it, and New Zealand-made for New Zealand landscapes. Join the Revolution. Get in touch today!
0800 444 250 | SALES@CAMPRO.CO.NZ WWW.CAMPRO.CO.NZ
Available in Fiat Ducato or Mercedes Sprinter models
LS DE CK O O 0 M N ST 2 20 W I NO
Merit RV proudly presents the
2020 Range of Swift Explorer Caravans The 2020 season sees the return of the Swift Explorer caravan range to Merit RV. These exclusive range of caravans are built by Swift Group UK that include a number of upgraded features for the “freedom” camper of New Zealand. Built with Swift’s leading SMART construction system incorporating timber-less framing and GRP balanced panels, your investment is even better protected. With its extra ground clearance, larger water tanks, and larger payload, “freedom” camping is a genuine possibility for the Explorer caravan. Enter the interior and discover the soft furnishings, well arranged living spaces and design features that set the Swift Explorer products apart. With two Island bed layouts (with full ensuites) currently available, including a single axle variant, the Explorer may just be the tourer for you. From $73,995.
2020 Swift Explorer features include: • Monitored 120L Fresh and 120L Grey Water tanks • Raised Heavy Duty “Aussie” ALKO Chassis • ALKO Trailer Control (ATC) • Payload upgrade • 200 watt Solar System • Energy saving LED lighting throughout • Outside Shower outlet • Wide Dometic Security door • Twin gas bottle capacity
• Ducted gas and electric central heating • Dometic 3 way 190 litre fridge with separate freezer • Twin house battery mounted under floor • 12v Range Hood • Pull out Thule entry step • 15’’ alloy wheels • LED DVD TV with Freeview • Satellite Dish
Start your journey of discovery in a stunning 2020 Swift Explorer. Enquire now.
• Electrical WOF • Gas Certification • NZMCA Self Containment Certificate. • 50mm AL-KO tow ball • Tow Vehicle wiring adaption • 2 Nights Stay at Local Holiday Park
Ph 03 379 1633 14 Maces Rd, Bromley, Christchurch E info@christchurchcaravans.co.nz
WE TAKE THE RISK OUT OF CHOOSING YOUR CARAVAN. CONTACT US TO FIND OUT HOW. Christchurch Caravans
Specialists in UK CARAVANS
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www.christchurchcaravans.co.nz
MHZ-EP-5195208-TS-184
We can fulfil all your caravan needs
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is also available online with great reviews, plus HUNDREDS of RVs for sale.
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nzmcd.co.nz
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MHZ-QV-5054915-CS-105-X
THE IDEAL NEW ZEALAND MOTORHOME.
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Explorers are unique motorhomes for New Zealanders. Refined, tough and four wheel drive to take you places other motorhomers only dream about.
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Real Adventures on and off any path
Explorer Motorhomes Ltd Postal: 118 O’Brien Road, RD3, Albany, Auckland Factory: 174 Green Road, Dairy Flat, Auckland
explorermotorhomes.co.nz MHZ-FP-5204412-TS-184
10% DISCOUNT to all members of the NZMCA
ASHBY GASFITTING
(up to $100 with proof of membership)
FOR MOTORHOMES & CARAVANS
Pipe out new motorhomes & caravans Certify existing motorhomes & caravans Ensure you meet the new gas code Certify imported caravans and motorhomes
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MHZ-HH-5210984-TS-174
Ashby Gasfitting specialises in all gas work for motorhomes, caravans and boats. All gas work undertaken.
20 NO 20 W MO IN DE ST LS OC K
OF W
IC AT ION M TO MISS U A NS A TR
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Merit RV proudly presents the
2020 Range of Swift Voyager Motorhomes With their streamlined low profile exterior, the Voyager line-up exclusive to Merit RV is back for 2020. Direct from the Swift factory these have been built exclusively for the New Zealand market with a number of special features. Enhanced styling in the three layout options for 2020, which includes the ever popular Island Bed layout with a large front dining area or an alternative layout of two single beds and a large front lounge. The three layouts available in the Swift Voyager range are all 4 berth with spacious living areas. The Voyager unit size ranges from the 6.74m fixed bed option, through to the 7.4m Island Bed model. The stylish exterior has a distinctive anthracite grey, whilst the interior has a soft furnishing scheme. All of these motorhomes run on a Warrant Of Fitness and come fully “on tour” ready.
Here Now!! Amazing value with prices starting from $139,995.
2020 Voyager features include: • • • • • • • • • •
9 speed Automatic Transmission Euro 6 Diesel Turbo Engine 160BHP Engine (7.4m models) Cruise Control ABS, ESC and Hill Assist 16” Alloy Wheels Rear View Camera Touch Screen Stereo with Steering Wheel Controls Central Locking on all Doors
• • • • • • • • •
Awning External Shower Point Automatic Satellite Dish LED TV with DVD and Freeview Solar System Monitored Fresh and Grey Tanks House Battery NZMCA Self Containment Certificate 2 Nights Stay at Local Holiday Park
Start your own voyage of discovery in a stunning 2020 Swift Voyager. Register your interest now.
• • • •
6 Year Body Warranty 3 Year Internal Warranty 5 Year Fiat Warranty No Extras “On Road” Costs
2008 JAYCO DIESEL 3LTR FD23-01 HR7CQ
DIY
Camper 2008 Jayco Conquest, FD23-01 Fiat Ducato diesel 3.0lt (160kw ) manual, cab over, 4 berth, 36,000 km rear bedroom model 12/240 vt system, solar panel etc. COF car licence, owned from New. 1500 kg certified tow bar. DIY1017346
.co.nz
PRIVATE LISTINGS
021442630 $80,000 NZD 35000 NZD boat only
| WWW.DIYADS.CO.NZ
| 0800 872 337
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TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR RV • Good photos make a big difference. If possible, take your RV to a nice park or outdoor area and choose a nice sunny day to take the exterior photos. • When writing your ad, explain why you’re selling your RV. This is likely to be the first question potential buyers will want answered.
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Deadlines for advertisements Issue 196 6pm 26/06/2020 On sale 09/07/2020
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