Thames Coromandel Council are pleased with Coromandel's Ocean Beach and Hot Water Beach camp ground owners report of full camps and turning many away this Christmas Summer Season. We all hope we don't see too many local retailers names in the notices section of the papers after the 31st March. Coromandel rate payer opinion.  Cathedral CoveCoromandelNew ZealandI am thinking of making a new party game, based on 'pin the tale on the donkey' only mine is called "Place the vendor on the beach"  or same rules as 'pick up sticks' but called "pick up rubbish" YOO HOO ! Philippa Babe where are you ? Have you not woken from your post Christmas meal slumber?I find it strange that we have not heard from the TCD Council regarding this vendor operating on the Cathedral Cove Beach. I am sure if you set up to sell such goods from your front section or street side a Council representative would be looking to close you down 'toot sweet'. Hang on a moment.... does their silence on this matter suggest they have already approved it ????? ENTER STAGE LEFT : My Bias : It is not OK to have 'self contained camper vans' poluting the Coromandel area, but it is OK for bottles, bottle tops, plastic wrapper and labels (this beach vender is going to collect every little bit, Yeah Right.) to litter the beach and where ever they may blow. Including being dropped on the trek back to the top. I declare my bias, come on Council declare yours !
I passed a work crew on the road the other day, the sign on the rear of their vehicle said "ROAD SURFACE TESTING". I was tempted to stop and say "Hey guys I do your job every day, I just count the chips in my crockery each mealtime"
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DOC camping grounds become less cost effective as camping grounds with better amenities bring their prices down to meet recession driven holiday budgets for the 2009 / 2010 summer season. While the old story 'Location, location, location',would normally
prevail, badly maintained camping grounds even though they are situated
on the best bit of sand in the country may this year be given the flick
for a better 'bang for you buck' at other locations.
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I have noticed in many places, seemingly DOC or Forestry land a collection of beehives placed in easily accessible locations. In some places the small collection if hives too small a number for a commercial operation or the area available and in other places just managing to squeeze them in. I wonder if these hives are part of a monitoring program, atmospheric or agriculture sampling. _______________________
Admitting which reprint of MAD Magazine I read this in may date me but I love it... "Outside of a dog, a book is a mans best friend. Because inside is too dark to read !" _____________________
I wonder if our Minister of roading or any of our road designers would be happy to put their best dinner-set on the back seat of their cars and drive around the country ? _______________________ One of my favorite more Northern camping grounds offers a weekly rate of $55.00 plus metered power.I stayed for two weeks using my electric toasted sandwich-maker every day, T.v. and satellite receiver each night, electric jug, lighting and twice each week used my electric heater to dry out condensation from humidity.My usage at 20c. per unit came to $6.00 per week. This leaves me wondering just how some places calculate their power charge.
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 This page is purely rambling thoughts that I have had on various topics, often while driving the countries roadways. Feel free to comment or email me your own. popsnparks@xtra.co.nzThe last few NZMCA bi-momthly magazines listing directory alterations and ammendments now prints 'see website'. I wonder how long it might be before the whole magazine will comprise of a slim card in the mail...See Webpage. !
Parking in Coromandel
Earlier this year I travelled to Coromandel township arriving at around 6 am in the morning. It is not uncommon for me to travel early in the morning. I parked at a road-side park looking across the bay. Took my time having my breakfast while watching the oyster boats preparing for their day and listening to the radio, then showering and was just dressing when there were several loud bangs on my door. I opened the door to find a gentleman, informing me he was from the local council and writing details on a ticket book from which was now removing a copy to hand to me. I refused to accept it and explained my time of arrival etc. He loudly proclaimed that my motor felt cold. At which point advised him that if he was positioned on this road instead of his bed at that time he would have seen me arrive and secondly my motor was mounted inside my driving cab in a private area he was not permit to go. He departed the scene. A week later I spent the night at Kairanga Valley (1 of 3 nights) awoke early and travelled to Thames to complete some business. Parked by The Grahmes Town Railway station at 8.10am. Breakfast showered and dressing. At 8.25am bang, bang, bang on the door. Another person identifying himself as an employee of the Local Council and informed me that I had been illegally parked there all night, informed by several locals telephoning and passed me a ticket of some kind to which I refused to accept and showed him my DOC registration sticker on the front of my vehicle for the previous night. At which point he departed, I hope, to do a real days work somewhere else.
Parking in Auckland
Parking a van in Auckland -1 I recently collected a friend from the domestic terminal at the Mangere Airport. My van being 5m. Long and 2.2m wide is seldom a concern for finding parking, however the 2.25m. high can cause some consideration especially when there is a fixed 2.2m. height restriction bar at the car park entrance. Although there is adequate open air car parking on the entrance to this car park, there is also a section of the car park that is undercover but with this height restriction bar at the general entrance I can access neither. Seeing an operator’s box over at the exit I go and tell the operator my plight. For a person from India his grasp of English appeared to be quite good however with him trying to convince me that the ‘bar’ went up and his lack of comprehension for ‘going in the out gate’ the conversation went around in ever decreasing circles.. I requested he contact his boss; whom he telephoned and began the conversation in his native tongue. When I heard him say ‘out the in gate’ I knew we were on a journey to nowhere and insisted that his boss speech to me or come to the parking booth. After much more discussion and a sudden brainstorm realisation that the two height dimensions didn’t match, agreed allow me in the out gate and presented me with a parking ticket to pay on my exit. The operator beaming from ear to ear like a dog that had learnt a new trick and saying “Next time you came back, come and see me and all will be easy” . I did return a week later, different operator; I gave up, dropped off my visitor at the terminal and parking the van up at the supermarket car park and walked the distance to and from the terminal building.
Parking a van in Auckland -2
I wanted to leave my van in the city while I paid a visit to Waiheke Island for two nights. Deciding to park the van in an Auckland City Car park from 3.00pm on the Friday until 3.00pm Sunday. Under cover parking was out of the question because of my 2.25m height. Open air parking at the old railway station was nearby and a pretty good option. I rang the ACC to see how I could arrange this and I was told I could park only for 24 hours (terminating at 6.30am each day) when I would have to put another $7.00 in the meter. This I explained was a little logistically stupid as I had already said I was going to Waiheke Island. “Why can’t I buy more than one 24 hour parking ticket at a time” I asked. Thinking along the, ‘would you like fries with that’ mentality (or more precisely ‘hours with that’). “Oh no it just can’t be done” I was told. Suggesting that Mr Banks may too busy to take my call could I please be transferred to someone in authority and capable of making decisions in the parking sector of the ACC. I was connected to a Mr Brown who listened indicating some bewilderment and said he would phone me back. Not the decision maker I was hoping for. A short time later a very ‘pleased to oblige you’ sounding Mr Brown retuned the call with an offer of a ‘parking permit’ to be collected from their offices later that day for a fee of $21.00. Thy can be done if you just push.
" I shot a NZ Native Wood Pidgeon with my digital camera."
How anyone could execute this beautiful bird, they are such a wonder to watch and photograph. Anyone touring this country must respect our protected species especially; and leave the others for everyone else to enjoy.
The following is a copy of my email to Alice Cowdry when she proclaimed in her article in the Nelson Mail that all freedom campers should be fined $200.00. When a subsequent Nelson Mail paper article showed photographic proof then I agree fines 'should' be issued to the retailer, Explore More Van Rental' . I agree where verified proof is obtained then the owner of the vehicle should be fined as would any person in business or dwelling in the area. However a total ban or fining is ludicrous and runs against how our forefathers traveled this country. The article http://bit.ly/beUJAo takes two lines from my e-mail which I feel stand bare without the remainder of the text as follows. Your comment of a heavy fine is so ridiculous,
who is going to stop them at the border and collect.....
Mr Paul Henry......I believe that from the TV1 breakfast show (Wednesday March 03) that the essence of your portion on freedom camping stated that 'freedom camping is unlawfull or illegal in New Zealand'. I have no option but to ask: Are you completely stupid ? Are you miss-informed ? Do you never research your subjects ? The two pictures below showing overnight freedom camping approval (and there are many of these) serve to show that freedom camping is permitted and catered for in many areas. I can understand that the manager of Spacey would see that freedom camping for the vehicle shown would not be permitted as it would not meet the 'self contained' requirement of these a park places, some camping grounds and many D.O.C. camps. Please can you correct your gross error in this matter.
 <...> Click to enlarge pix  <...> Click to enlarge pix
Freedom and low cost campers There are as many attitudes on this subject as there are those in and out of camper vans. Many fingers are pointed at the small vans, often O.E. people wanting to see our country on a budget. Good on them, as this a great country to travel in this manner. This a market that is hardly tapped, except for the van hirers. I believe we should encourage these visitors by making it easier and safer by providing nominated parking and toilet areas. Vehicle numbers and length of stay controlled. These travelers do spend money and in some places provide valuable work labour i.e fruit picking, handling and pruning. Enable them to stay in your area 3 - 4 nights and the local retailers will feel the spend, easing their rate payment commitments. That is what I will call level 1 tourers, level 2 is travelers in self contained vehicles (check detail on these pages) These vehicles suitably sign marked can stay in areas without toilets but do need dump and water points to ensure we all stay clean and green. Once again inviting them to stay 3 - 4 nights and get the spend. In reality there would be very little cost to meet these ideals because the infra-structure (park places and toilets) already exists apart from the signage.
It is also well documented that vandalism, in areas with several camper vans parked on a regular basis, falls markedly if not stops completely. So a level of security is gained for the council assett thereby reducing maintanence costs. I, most mornings and I have seen others walk the park area picking up rubbish left by locals on their picnics and night time escapades. __________________
Prohibition on Campervans in New Zealand see: http://bit.ly/bhj8Om Unfortunately history has proven that prohibition only drives said commodity underground, a good place too, because prohibition is truly a “head in the sand” reaction. Head in the sand only works for ostriches. But I digress. The Otago Conservation Board is calling for ‘the banning of all camper vans in New Zealand’. I can only assume that all of the council member's pay packets afford them and family national and international motel and hotel holidays. Another assumption I feel I must make is that all members are so active in their elected offices that they have not had a moment to research this subject prior to making this reported statement. Do not fret councilors. Phillippa babe of Coromandal fame, I have also assumed suffers the same over worked under-informed position. I shall, on this page proffer the solution, to which you have been reported, identifing the re-occurring problem. However let us start with the simple stuff first so I can be sure you are able to follow this thinking and I can hold all your attention. Vehicles (vans, camper vans, motor homes cars, buses, trains and planes) all use fuel purchased from the many outlets around the country. A person can usually last no more than 72 hours without food and this is purchased from café’s restaurants, dairy’s, shops and food suppliers. Once again usually placed in convenient locations through out the country. Most if not all of the non-spending van dwellers that I have spoken to have swum with dolphins, whale watched, sky dived, skied, wind surfed, bungeed, toured and even crossed between The North and South Island with their vehicle. All of the preceding activities require an exchange of money to participate. I trust by now councillors, you are all beginning to feel better informed and will in future sound less like idiots on this subject and more like the in formed persons your electors have place into council. One final item before I reveal my important solution. The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association has carried out surveys over the past 5 years (yes that is five, good to see I still have your attention) showing the current data at a daily spend up in the $80.00 s . Look further down this web page and you will see a reported (local publication) spend in the Tirua area at $280.00 for the preceding 24 hours. Now the big solution, visit the Tauranga, Western Bay District Council who have many allocated open areas where vehicles can park. Some have limits on vehicle numbers as well as the number of nights of a stay. Here you will usually find, well maintained toilets, hand basin etc. Most importantly council and ‘i’ staff know where they are located. The same District Council has the ultimate in dump stations to encourage those with self-contained campervans to visit and stay in that area spending money. Self-contained vehicles are an additional option that can be applied in this solution (vehicles that have showers, toilets, fresh water and wastewater tanks on board. These, certified vehicles can be easily identified by a triangular green sticker on the right rear of the vehicle. The owners and drivers of these certified vehicles have been instructed in and have agreed to adopt a ‘pack in pack out’ (leave no rubbish) travel attitude. All of the van dwellers I have spoken to have been pleased to receive local toilet and safe parking advice.
Try Thinking Inside the Square. Instead of trying to come up with a solution on camper van and touring van pollution that is outside of your assets. Look at what you already have. Toilets, parking spaces and retailers wanting the tour spend to pay their local rates. A few signs that say 'Park Here' localise and have better control of the issue. _______________  There is always something special about small town activities. Where the local people get behind and support each endeavour. Auckland Anniversary weekend at the Bus Stop Cafe Mangakino a concert was arranged by Garry and held at the lake side to raise money for the local St Johns Unit. Pictures tell a thousand words  see http://bit.ly/bdVdEM
Relaxing at Tauranga's finest waterside bar, restaurant and hotel watching a mother ray and her two young ones feeding at the foreshore. And to Anna (all the way from France) who is heading to Rarotonga, looking for work in Queenstown and a stint up North before heading back to Europe. Good luck Girl ________________ American magazine gets it wrong.Japanese whaling vessel Shonan Maru did not sink N.Z. http://bit.ly/5oVJej. (tongue.In.Cheek.) We are still here.
____________________________ Paul Henry a TV One breakfast anchor commented on his opinion of camper vans and motor homes. The difference is Paul, when I see you on TV I can turn you off. But when You see me on the road in my motor home, You have to stay there until it is safe for me to let you past. ________________________________The NZMCA president Dick Waters wrote a very exacting letter to the Mayor of the Thames-Coromandel District Council after the news broke on the councils attitude to motor home camping in that area. Mayor Philippa replied calling the correspondence a "vitriolic diatribe" and stated that it was "without firstly trying to ascertain the facts". Philippa babe, 101 of dealing with replies to correspondence 'try reading the letter first'.  ________________
I was passing and admiring one of the Northern Beaches and waved down by an obvious member of the local iwi who rattled away in Moari. Waving his arms and fists in the air, I assume, to emphasise what ever point he was making. I replied in the only other language that I can string a few sentences together in, Russian. After about 40 seconds of this he stopped and said "I can't understand a ******* word your saying". "Just as I can't understand you" I replied. At which he gave me a dismissive wave and walked off muttering away loudly to himself. ________________
Came across a frustrated work foreman at one of the Public Reserves, trying to organise and motivate two young guys to tidy and trim the grassed edges of the reserve."Have to show them how to do everything" he complained to me. "What do you expect" I said looking back in their direction " Neither of them know how to put a peaked cap on straight"=============== Simple way to fix a faulty piece of road. precede that section in both directions with a sign. "Uneven Road Surface"And just leave it ============Booking into a camping ground of not grand offerings I was told that the rate was $10.00 per person per night. As I have said it wasnt great but was located in a convienient location for what I wanted to complete the next day so I agreed to stay. "That'l be $20.00" the owner said. I replied "No $10.00 I am by myself" "Our minium rate is per two" was the reply. Hey is this discrimination for those of us who travel alone ???? Looking at the rates quoted in some NZ travel camp ground books this may be a trend. What is the office in Wellington we should be all writting to ?
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______________ Direct flight from Aussie to Rotorua I over-heard a businessman telling some friends over a drink, that he had calculated that leaving the same Australian airport as others, and flying direct into Rotorua, then getting an immediate connecting flight to Auckland. He would be in his car and driving out of the Auckland Airport faster than his Kiwi compatriots who would be still be slowly processing through customs because it is super fast processing through RotoVagus due to smaller numbers. ______________ What is my loyalty worth. How much do retailers realy value our loyalty and repeat business. Today I found out just how much my 'valued' business is really worth. I have accrued some bank 'Hot Points' with which I am told can be used to pay my AA account. Another bill out of the way, great I thought. Well I am no accounting genius but I am sure anyone who can add 1 + 1 and get 2 or think their ongoing business is worth something. Especially when so much is made of using your loyalty cards for such great returns will see just how little that can mean when these large organizations set the value of each point. My AA account began at $89.00 and with the various discounts had a total to be paid of $46.45. Hot points advise me that to pay an existing AA membership is around 11,000 points. After a few simple questions I discovered that I would need to use the 11,000 points to pay the full amount or any lesser amount even a $20.00 payment, as a quoted example. So is it better value for money not to use my AA card through the year, not have long term service, not pay on time so I can get better value for my loyalty banking awarded points? ___________________ I have no intention of this becoming a toilet column but as I neared Rotorua the tidiness of the toilets were not to that of which I had become accustomed.
So I poke Borax at some people but I can also pass out the Bouquets...... see Bay Of Plenty  I noticed the toilets in Tepuke were clean and tidy also, then I saw the sign 'Serviced by Western BOP Council'. ______________ The Tauranga City Council in their infinite wisdom, and this I mean seriously, have put in a dump station so fantastic that I have photographed it and included a golden frame.... see Bay Of Plenty  Hey Mr Key look at this If other councils copied this great effort shown here 95% of the grizzles and gripes trumpeted by those other councils about camper vanners and tourists would be gone overnight. I reckon their retailers are all very happy. P.S. The dump station at Mount Maunganui (airport) is just as good.
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