Innholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2020 i RV Travel Lifestyle

Well here we are, a few more months after Covid-19 changed our lives in March this year. What a ride! Who would have guessed so much could change in such a small amount of time, and spread over the entire world – strange times. The RV industry has been lucky in many ways, well initially anyway, as vehicle sales are through the roof. Doesn’t matter at what level – the most basic second-hand 30-year-old camper or caravan is just as much in demand as the mid-range $100,000 to $150,000 models, and even the big and flash $550,000 models will have waiting lists shortly, such is sales demand. New Zealand manufacturers, as you will read from Action Manufacturing Grant Brady’s column in these pages, are managing the challenges as they can;…

Looking down at the small country settlement of Lawrence from a nearby hillside there’s little to differentiate it from any other rural township in New Zealand. Sheep and cattle dot the smooth green hills around the valley where pastoral Lawrence nestles peacefully. That’s how it is now. But Lawrence, or more precisely Gabriel’s Gully just off the main road, was the site of this country’s first major gold rush, leading to much of Otago being sluiced, panned and dug over. Tasmanian Thomas Gabriel Read discovered gold here in 1861, and within a year the population had grown to 11,472, more than double the population of Dunedin at that time. Gold had previously been found in the Lindis River, but Gabriel’s find signalled the start of the Otago gold rush. Gabriel’s…

We’re on a five-day trip with NZ Adventures, a convoy of 4WD vehicles travelling roughly across the 46th parallel. Mostly be on backcountry roads and roads unsuitable for the average 2WD vehicle, our journey will take us from Lawrence in Otago to the Catlin’s coast before crossing into Southland and then heading back to Otago, to finish at Cromwell. At our briefing the night before we leave, we find that we’ve all been on NZ Adventures tours before, sometimes together, so we start off in an almost family atmosphere. Some of us have been soaking up Lawrence’s goldmining history for a few days, while others are determined to return and are encouraged by the prospect of the 73km Clutha Gold cycle trail being extended by a further 63km from Lawrence…

When you pause in Mangaweka, stepping out on Broadway feels like stepping back a hundred years in time. In the 1980s the state highway was diverted away from the then main street to get a better contour (from a transportation point of view the area is exceedingly difficult geographically). For some years, when the heart went out of the community for a while, Broadway’s old buildings looked neglected and abandoned. But more recently there’s been a revival. New residents have restored some of the old shops, and local artists have repopulated Broadway with murals and created life-sized cut-outs of people dressed in Victorian clothing apparently going about their business. A cut-out of a man and his dog attracts lots of attention – not so much from people as from passing…

ONE COPY TO BE WON Frensham – A New Zealand Garden Margaret Long & Juliet Nicholas RRP $59.99 Quentin Wilson Publishing In this lavishly illustrated book, Canterbury gardener, Margaret Long, tells the fascinating story of Frensham, considered one of New Zealand’s finest gardens. As though we are right there with her, the reader is taken on a tour through the seasons, listening as we go to Margaret’s thoughts and insights about why this plant was placed here or that tree there, what is behind her choices not just of plantings but also structures, materials, colours. ONE COPY TO BE WON Balance: Food, Health and Happiness Rachel Grunwell RRP $40 Beatnik Publishing Respected journalist Rachel Grunwell interviews 30 experts globally to get the best of tips on how to uplift your…

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Model: 2020 Grand California 600 Price: $159,000 Cab Chassis: Volkswagen Crafter In the last couple of years Volkswagen designers have turned their eye to reinventing that most classic of all campervans, the original Kombi that is still so popular today. At this show we viewed the latest Grand California 600 AWD version. This model offers full self-containment in an under-six-metre body with fantastic internal head height, fixed bed for 2 adults and an over head pull out loft bed for 2 children. Easy to drive, it feels like a car with all the safety bells and whistles you would expect from a Volkswagen. Check out the publicity photos here – they fully showcase the VW’s features. As evidence of its popularity, crowds at the show made taking photographs…

Manufacturer: Auto-Trail Model: 2020 Auto-Trail Tribute T-680 two-berth campervan $131,750 Cab Chassis: 2020 Fiat Cab Chassis This Auto-Trail Tribute T-680 two-berth campervan attracted plenty of interest, this model on the Fiat cab chassis. We featured a similar model in the last issue Vol 6; this model has the Fiat cab chassis instead of the Ford Transit. Nationwide RV have models from north to south with branches in Albany, Drury, New Plymouth and Ashburton in this two-berth Auto-Trail Tribute range, as well as four and six-berth options over a range of floor plans and price ranges. TECH SPEC’S Cab chassis • Fiat 2.3L turbo-diesel, 104kW engine, 9-speed fully auto transmission, ABS brakes, traction control, cruise control, central locking, colour rear-view camera and more. Dimensions (mm) • Length 6360mm, width 2270mm, height…

Manufacturer: Action Manufacturing Model: 2021 Action Dreamtime M720 Prototype $179,500 4-berth motorhome Cab Chassis: Mercedes-Benz 519 7.2m The largest manufacturer of RVs in New Zealand is Action Manufacturing in Albany, based at the RV Super Centre sales site, Action produce a range of mobile solutions for the RV industry and service industries, as well as manufacturing top selling KEA brand motorhomes since the mid-1990s. We have recently seen the new style, 2019 Everland motorhomes come out of the factory with an infinitely sensible contoured roof shape for easy water flow off it; why many RVs have flat roofs I just don’t know. For this show they have launched a new prototype – a revamp of one of the most popular motorhome models on New Zealand roads, the Dreamtime. Stepping into…

Manufacturer: Auckland Coach Motorhomes – ACM Model: ACM Platinum 7.6m $260,000 starting price Cab Chassis: Iveco 50C210 One of the bespoke built motorhomes from ACM, with luxury super yacht finishes, big Iveco cab chassis and packed to the hilt with the customer’s chosen finishes and layout requirements. The particular model on display really caught visitors, attention – with most not believing the finish and size of this build. Let’s take a look around. It’s exciting to see the new all-wheel drive Iveco chassis just released, a big, serious looking beast for sure, can’t wait to see the first build by ACM on that platform. TECH SPEC’S Cab Chassis • Iveco 50C 210, 156kW, 8-speed auto. ABS, EBD with hill-hold, ESP, heated electronic rear-view mirrors, 7-inch LCD display with Iveconnect multimedia,…

Enhance your next beach trip with the Malamoo 2- or 4-hub Beach Shelter. Utilising our Rapid Hub Technology, the pop-out walls give you a large, reliable shelter within minutes of arriving. Made from UPF50+ certified polyester, the Malamoo Beach Shelter is designed to protect you from harmful UV rays, while the large door and windows ensure complete ventilation. Grounded, even on the windiest days, the Malamoo Beach Shelters come with sandbags, pegs and ropes to anchor down. Folding into a compact carry bag, these shelters are big on shade and low on weight. Your best outdoor experiences are right around the corner. Keep cool under the Malamoo 2- or 4-hub Beach Shelter. KEY FEATURES • Rapid hub frame – easy setup and pack down• Extra-large entrance and windows for airflow•…

As Kiwis we are all pretty damned chuffed to say we live in the most beautiful country in the world, but some parts are more beautiful than others and we all have our favourite parts. For me the most spectacular part of our country is the lower half of the South Island from Christchurch south, all the way to Stewart Island. The housing and tourism boom in places like Queenstown and Wanaka has to be experienced to be believed, but there is much, much more to the ‘Deep South’, as it used to be referred to, than these two tourist Meccas, and I am here to tell you about some of the things you miss by making a beeline from Christchurch to the Southern lakes. One of these days I…

I own a caravan. I’m not sure how exactly it happened, but I suspect it had something to do with my wife getting her bottom caught on the overhanging vestibule of our small two-person hiking tent while scrambling out on her hands and knees one wet morning in a busy camping ground. Why I suspect this was the turning point for our camping adventures, is that it was not long after this incident that I received one well-used, orange caravan – as a birthday present! Owning a caravan had never been a topic of discussion between my wife and myself, let alone amongst our friends, so I found it curiously interesting when, not long after receiving that birthday surprise, our close friends also started buying retro caravans. One couple even…

Beside the historic house a superb Magnolia grandiflora has provided shade since the 1840s. Next to the property’s shell paths is a brick-lined well from which water was originally drawn, and further on, an olive tree. It’s a particularly interesting tree because, although rot meant its trunk had to be drastically cut down into what is effectively a large stump, from beneath what was thought to be a dead specimen a small sprig emerged. It was a delightful surprise and is being carefully nurtured by Jan Ferguson, manager of Butler Point Whaling Museum and Historic House, which has been in family ownership since 1970. The magnificent gardens with their mix of native and exotic flora have a five-star rating with the NZ Gardens Trust and have been restored in a…

Les Hill Les Hill is the author of eight best-selling books about fly fishing. A retired school teacher, he lives on a two-acre block near Hokitika. His new book, Hooked for Life: A Celebration of Fly Fishing (Quentin Wilson Publishing $45) is published in November. “The gods do not deduct from a man’s allotted span the hours spent fishing.” Babylonian proverb While we’re navigating through a time of much uncertainty, a time when travelling abroad is not an option for most, an opportunity exists for many to ‘hit the road’ and explore New Zealand. At the same time there is a chance to try something new like fly fishing, and there can be few better places in the world to practise the gentle art than from New Zealand’s roads and,…

Manufacturer: Wendekreisen Auckland Model: Koru Star 2ST two-berth Price: $65,990 Cab Chassis: 2017 LDV 80 88,000km There were some pre-owned options on show. This locally built ex-rental campervan from Wendekreisen, with under 100,000km on the clock and under $66k, was popular with many. Manufactured in Airport Oaks, Auckland, Wendekreisen have been manufacturing campers and motorhomes for around 25 years in Auckland. They have a rental division, new and second-hand vehicle sales, as well as now offering repairs, upgrades and installs to general RV owners vehicles. This model is on a lower price point cab chassis, the LDV 80, and is fully self-contained ready for two people to head out and get into the RV lifestyle. The images will show you the highlights, scan or go to our YouTube channel and…

Manufacturer: Grand Design Model: Grand Design Imagine 2670MK $106,000 In the last issue (Vol 6) we featured the Cougar fifth-wheel from BOP RV in Katikati – on the same day we saw that model, the newest addition to the range had just arrived, the Imagine by Grand Design RV, not ready for review but so great to see it at the show. What a fantastic living space this offers, with two large slide-outs – one houses the kitchen area on one side, the other side expands the dinette and lounge seating space. The space in these units just can’t be argued with – a near-domestic sized bathroom with plenty of storage. A kitchen island bench, with huge stainless steel sink, full gas oven to cook in, microwave and a domestic…

Manufacturer: Ci Motorhomes Model: Ci Magis 82XT 4-berth $147.900 Chassis: Fiat 2.3L diesel turbo Always a pleasure to step into a Ci motorhome from Italy – the ‘ooh-la-la’ factor shows in the styling. Ci Motorhomes manufacture over 6500 motorhomes per year, and the company started some 37 years ago so have plenty of experience in the field. This is a four-berth model with a front electric drop-down bed of 1900mm x 1280mm with a 250kg weight rating, and two permanent singles in the rear – 2060x800mm and 1930x800mm. Fitted with everything you might need – TV, auto satellite dish, reversing camera, awning and bike rack, so there are no extras to worry about getting installed. We first viewed this model at the show, and later at the Manukau yard of…

Manufacturer: Morelo Model: Palace 93MB Price $575,000 Cab Chassis: Iveco Daily 70C18 When you want to step right up into a big RV unit, offering luxury living with all the bells and whistles, often at the touch of a button then the Morelo-built motorhome could be for you. We reveiwed this model in RV-NZTL Vol 4, but can’t resist showing new readers the level of quality you can reach with a motorhome today. As I said then, there are so many features to note within this luxury liner I can’t even tell you them all as it would fill so many pages, and with the price point being the price of an average house it is fun discovering them all. This model is from Zion Motorhomes in Pokeno. TECH SPEC’S…

Attention all barefoot campers and beach goers! Sick and tired of cleaning all that sand and dirt out of your car, tent, RV or beach house after the kids and grandkids have run amok? Let the Swabbo Ocean help you keep the great outdoors from getting indoors! Made from durable, UV-resistant polypropylene, the new, portable Ocean’s double-stacked nylon bristles and patented gravitational wash-away design will clean sand and grit from happy, mischievous campers and beach-goers’ feet in an instant, and turn untold hours of cleaning time back into high quality vacation and leisure time. Keep an Ocean by the house, pool or hot tub, and take it with you when you travel to the beach or go camping. WIN a SWABBO We have one Swabbo Ocean to giveaway, scan this…

I have great expectations of the Paparoa Track. I had a hand in the design of our new Great Walk when I trudged for 10 weeks through then untracked wilderness and I saw plenty of potential for play in the landscape. I am intrigued by how the track design we envisioned and marked in blue tape has been built, and how it might feel to ride in reality. I expect a world-class ride … time will tell. Four years ago, as we packed up our field camp in the hills, trail builders arrived to convert our survey tapes into physical works. They were hampered by the wet West Coast weather and ex-tropical cyclones that delayed their progress. So recently, when the announcement came that the track would be fully opened…

This spot is well and truly home for Genevieve King. She was brought up here, while her parents farmed the surrounding hillside with fine merino sheep, deer and some beef. With 560 hectares of stunning hillside, it’s a remarkably lush spot. Added to that the Clarence River (Waiau Toa) just a stone’s throw away at the bottom of the valley, Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku standing majestically at 2885m within sight, and the Pacific Ocean nearby, it’s a unique vista on any day of the week, rain or shine. Genevieve, nicknamed ‘G’ by her friends, 34, exudes passion and enthusiasm for this corner of the earth. Although a relative newcomer to the mountain bike scene (she bought her first mountain bike just four years ago), she is definitely a gutsy, outdoorsy kind of…

Sometimes it is not about how far you travel; just getting out of your usual environment is refreshing. We decided to take a halfhour drive north of New Plymouth to Urenui to give our new (to us) Mercedes Sprinter campervan a test run. My partner Rick and I recently drove it back from Rotorua after spending a couple of frosty nights at Waikite Hot Springs, but we wanted to spend more time getting to know the van before heading off on a long trip, so Urenui and exploring the coast north to Pukearuhe at the south end of White Cliffs, was the plan. Urenui on SH3 north of New Plymouth is a small seaside village that most people pass in two minutes flat as they drive to points north of…

scan to enter online We have samples of Upton’s Naturals Jackfruit to giveaway. Four flavours available: Original (unseasoned), Bar-BQue, Chilli Lime, and Thai Curry flavours. Scan QR code or Email Subject line Upton’s Jackfruit to subs@rvmagazine.co.nz. Give us your full contact details and the flavour you would like to try. Upton’s Naturals natural Jackfruit. Kelly Peloza Photography/Upton’s Naturals Upton’s Naturals Jackfruit can be found at select New World, Pak’n’Save, Fresh Choice, Super Value, and Four Square locations across New Zealand for an RRP of $11.99 per 300g package. If you’re interested, please keep in mind Upton’s Naturals natural Jackfruit. Serving as a delicious substitute for recipes that call for pulled pork, shredded chicken or even fish, the 100% vegan and versatile line-up makes it easy to create plant-based meals for…

Manufacturer: TranztecRV Model: Duet Tourer 6m start from $134,000 Cab Chassis: Fiat Ducato TranztecRV are based in Thames and have been outfitting and building RVs since 2001. A family business established by Glen and Leonie Donaldson, in 2006 son Matt joined the team and the business grew and developed. In 2011 Matt and his wife Natasha took over the RV-building side of the business, while Glen developed the Duralite interior products lines further in fact – they had stands next to each other at the show. Now boasting over 90 builds for customers all over the country, this company ticks away quietly helping customers into the RV lifestyle. The business motto reads, “We don’t just offer you what we have, we can offer you what you want in your motorhome.”…

Manufacturer: Royal Flair Melbourne Model: 2020 Royal Flair Piazza Sky-Deck $150,000 Levin RV – at Levin near Wellington – are the exclusive agents for the Australian luxury caravan brand here in New Zealand. They have displayed them at the shows for the last couple of years, bringing a new touch of class with the Sky-Deck on these Piazza models. The Royal Flair caravans take everyone’s fancy as soon as they spot them and realise there is a covered closed-in deck that drops down from the front of the nose, such a wonderful space is created with this design. The popular bright green unit on display at Mystery Creek had the latest designed rear lounge, with electric north–south electric drop-down bed. Add to this the very cool 40? TV that comes…

Manufacturer: Bailey Model: Bailey Adamo 69–4 motorhome $151,900 Cab Chassis: Ford Transit The latest 2021 model Bailey Adamo fourberth motorhome was landed in New Zealand literally as the show started, arriving straight from the wharf following clearance and dressing ready for display – it was all go for the team at RV Mega. Based in Mt Maunganui, RV Mega is the biggest dealer for the Bailey range of products for New Zealand. This compact motorhome at just a sliver under seven metres with lots of new innovations for the 2021 model year Bailey has traditionally based its coachbuilt motorhomes on the Peugeot Boxer cab chassis, But the 2021 Bailey Adamo models will be built on the Forst Transit wide-track lower chassis skeleton. The arrival of Adamo means Bailey will now…

“It’s fantastic!’’ That’s what Darren Greening of Ashburton’s Green Fertiliser Spreading thinks of Prolan. The New Zealand-made, environmentally friendly, lanolin-based corrosion inhibitor and lubricant has worked wonders on the vehicles he uses in his business – one of the toughest testing grounds around. ‘‘I always had an A+ rating at the vehicle testing station without it. Now they want to give me a higher rating,’’ Mr Greening said. He described the fertiliser industry as ‘‘harsh’’ on the gear used. Rust was an ever-present problem. ‘‘I’ve had 20 years in this industry and haven’t found anything that will keep it at bay like this.’’ He has recently tried out the Prolan extreme-strength corrosion inhibitor on the fertiliser spreader trucks. When it was washed off after the recommended time, the trucks looked…

With motorhoming and caravanning booming, New Zealand’s biggest motorhome and caravan show is the place to be. The Covi Motorhome Caravan & Outdoor SuperShow is on from 19th to 21st March, 2021 at the ASB Showgrounds Greenlane, Auckland. It provides a great opportunity for visitors to find the perfect vehicle to help them explore the wonderful sights New Zealand has to offer. So if you have ever thought about motorhoming or caravanning this is one show you absolutely don’t want to miss. The only show with all the major brands, there will be something for everyone. www.supershow.co.nz…