Coromandel Freedom Camping Compliance Confusion - a little rant

This is an opinion piece and I stand to be corrected on any point.

I will enhance my opinion as I lie in bed mulling the injustice's of this world, and update this as required.

That being said don't quote this rant as being a definitive précis of the situation.

The Thames Coromandel District Council has created a head ache for themselves, its residents and for campers.
It's not clear to me how the whole sorry tale got going but one may suspect that absentee super bach owners, hippy freedom campers, mobile population pressure with huge volumes of campervans have all caused a maelstrom which is at best now hard to untangle.
If one was to be sympathetic to the issues one might say the TCDC's controls on freedom camping is still a work in progress and can only improve. Particularly in view of the court ruling bought down in Nov 2014. A situation that put them on the back foot over Xmas with so much signage plastered everywhere.

My points of contention are.

Confusing and ambiguous signage.(which should largely now be obsolete)
The need to download 60 pages of bylaws
Still more than one version of bylaws on line.
The handing out of information pamphlets still promulgating old bylaws.
(this could be viewed as clever massaging of unwanted campers)

Admittedly when it is sorted it will open flood gates and it will need to be controlled?? The waterfront properties over the Coromandel that have been able to restrict the use of public  reserve for so long will be affronted for the 3 weeks and long weekends when they can drag themselves down to their exclusive baches and lord over their views. That view will plagued by white campers vans(and occasional colourful bus) all legally able to park up if suitably equipped and certified.

It is disappointing to observe the near empty  developments at prime locations with absolute parking restrictions (at best very prescriptive parking locations). These areas deserve to be open to all during the whole year and not the exclusive domain of the wealthy people who are seldom there. This is not the Kiwi way.

A week up the Coromandel

We left Claire & Graeme to detox on Sunday after a "fat bastards breakfast"a firm favourite whilst in Rome. However am happy to report, albeit sadly for you younger readers, that it is somewhat diminished from our younger days with only healthy lashings of egg,tomato, bacon,avo and sour dough. This set us up for a day of travelling, and having re provisioned at Waihi for the week,we looked in at a stunning Whiritoa Bay, too early and not a lot of freedom camping options, carried on to Whangamata, at six'ish, a staggering distance of only a few tens of K's. We don't like being hurried.

Whangamata is a sizable town that is starting to quieten down now, with Xmas gone but probably livens up in the weekend.The camping is a little difficult to understand as  they (the Thames Coromandel District Council) got dragged thru the court over their repressive camping bylaws, so now they are a bit prescriptive but reading between the lines can camp anywhere unless expressly forbidden. We took the non confrontational option and stayed in a very uninspired spot but moved onto the estuary foreshore for
breakfast

Being an incoming tide we opted to launch Little Yella for a little excursion which I'm sure she's been patiently waiting for since Wakamaru north of Taupo. We drifted into the Estuary and explored, no real surprises but was pleasant to be in sheltered waters as we lazily drifted in, the only excitement being a torrential downpour which even though sheltered under Pohutakawas still got drenched, but warm enough.These trees are are truly inspiring in their abundance on the waters edge ,their size and sprawl is second to none, Pohutakawas have been a highlight this summer with their spectacular striking red flowering while in Wellington at Xmas and now their abundance, up here making for the quintessential summer coastline experience.

We stopped 10 ks up the road at another stunning bay, Onemana where there was a nice camp option but were trying to get up the coast so after a walk on the beach made it to Opoutere. An all time low distance today of probably less than 30 Km's .
                                                         
The baches are a real mix, Whangamata has some over the top baches and second homes but the other places are generally more modest but still need 700K to start looking if you want views but watch out for the rates, these may cripple you.
There is an income group, whom appear prolific, who are doing quite well thankyou,  managing to have the two nice cars a boat to die for,lots of other toys, and the bach, mmmm, yes you obviously can still get ahead in this country.
Opoutere is somewhat different, is a little like Sandy Bay in Tasman with a large estuary and only modest shaded baches on the road in, then a walk thru exotic plantation to a long ocean beach. Not overly convenient for picnickers or boaties. Great if you like your pipi & tuatuas
Tuesday we made Opito Beach which was just stunning except for the terrible road over the hill, comparable to some of the Marlborough Sounds remote roading (Sheryl is obviously writing now). Again lovely batches with a very active residential group protecting it from us freedom campers, but lovely to find some designated over night spots on the reserve. We had a lovely walk over to another small bay (Crayfish Bay but no sign of any crayfish!) and then out to a maori pa site on the headland.

The next morning we headed further over another hill into Matapaua for breakfast - a tiny wee beach with about 10 batches. Very difficult turning for a bus with trailer, but Bill showed his great skills albeit we had to disconnect the trailer to complete the manoeuvre.
Back over the nightmare hill & onto Kuaotuna where we rode our bikes round a now closed coastal road (closed due to washouts & falling rocks which were very evident) onto Matarangi which is a lovely little township full of a mixture of batches from the basic through to huge mansions.

We continued onto Whangapoua where we did the walk over to New Chums Beach which we had heard a lot of rave reviews over the years. With a reasonable strong easterly there was a lot of weed stirred up and the large waves didn't make it appealing for a swim. It was a busy beach with a lot of tourists coming & going.
      We found a lovely POP (Park Overnight Property) that looked over the bay for our nights stay, very pleasant thank you Lance. In the morning we did a short walk out to the point which was a lovely wee sheltered beach that was so inviting we couldn't resist a swim. Beautiful.
We continued heading back southward calling into Matarangi again where we had another lovely swim before heading onto Simpsons Beach for the night just before Whitianga. The lovely long white beaches have been a highlight.

Stop Press! We have a Deal!

Friday 20th February
Our efforts in Christchurch have finally been rewarded with a deal on our property going unconditional today. All going well, we should be able to afford Easter Eggs this year :)

Hahei to Waihi (And another visit to the Dentist!)

Friday 13th to 20th Feb
After another week at Hahei of painting & gardening, it was time to leave for two weeks, while Sam & Paulines families all returned for Paulines daughter's wedding.
 We arrived back at my brother Graeme & partner Claire at Waihi Beach late Friday, in time to join in Movie Night at their place with friends. But the delightful surprise for the night was having nephew Luke (a chef on Super Yachts) & partner Debbie do canapes for our dinner while we watched the movie - delicious guys thank you. Movie was pretty good too (The Love Punch) even though Bill probably doesn't agree. It was more of a chick flick, and Bill kept asking when Bruce Willis was going to come on screen!

Out with the old!

The plan for the weekend was to head down to Tauranga to pick up Bill's new trailer, leaving the old one at G&C's till it sold on Trademe. But before we had even had breakfast, Bill had sold it and we were off to Tauranga via Rotorua to meet the buyer who was coming up from Palmerston North. Thanks again to G&C for the loan of their car.

the lovely new one for all Bill's gadgets!

We got to Rotorua, had a quick bite to eat (Kebabs) down at the Lake front, everything going well till Bill went crunch! There must have been a tiny bit of bone in the meat that broke his implanted tooth! $$$$$$$$$ preceded with lots of #@*%!^#@. So any profit from the trailer was now going to the dentist.
Back to Tauranga for the night to spend it at mum's back at Greenwood Park. First thing Sunday, Bill was off to pick up his new trailer - very flash! Full of compartments - god how will he ever find things!  Perfect for Bill to operate his business from. Then out for lunch with Mum over to a lovely little cafe at the Mount, another perfect day weather wise.
We got back to Waihi Beach in time to go cycling through the Karangahaki Gorge & a lovely cold beer at the Waikino Pub ( your typical Kiwi Country Pub - nothing yuppie about this one).

The week has just flown by, Tuesday was a trip back into Tauranga for Bill to get his tooth fixed after he dropped me off to have breakfast with Mum. We later walked up to the Garden Centre Cafe for a coffee before Bill & I returned to Waihi Beach. We had a lovely evening down on the beach after dinner with a small fire, absolutely no wind ( what fire ban!) and music. Claire in her lovely polka dot dress looked amazing. Such a relaxed evening, apart from the dismal return of the Contiki full of weed.

Lovely fire on Waihi Beach

Poor Benson - it was a big night.

Claire in her lovely party dress.

G & B on beach with the "eyes" of Benson watching 

Party time in Polka Dots & music.

Had lots of swims, which had been great, right on the doorstep. G&C have been babysitting a friends Labrador Benson - a very large and placid dog. I hadn't heard a sound out of him till the morning I told Graeme that Bill & I were off for a walk - well that set Benson off barking. The mention of the word "walk" really got him going. So after checking Graeme that Benson wasn't going to defecate while we were out ( Why have I not learned after all these years that my brother isn't always honest with me!!) we headed off. With a plastic bag just in case. Well, we only got 5 minutes up the road when Benson found some long grass outside a property where emptied his bowel. Completely!

Bill & his mate Benson having Breakfast

FYI in case this happens to any of you. It is very difficult to pick up warm Pooh in long grass.I thought I had the plastic bag on well and truly. What a mess. Thankfully we weren't far from a reserve where there was a tap.  Then we continued on our stop start walk with Benson peeing on every pole in sight. He did have a lovely time playing on the beach with Bill and a ball.
Friday we went into the big smoke of Waihi & had our passport photo's taken (May is not that far away now) and our Realme Identity confirmed, which is an initiative that NZ Post is doing with Internal Affairs that not only reduced the cost of the photo's to only $10 each, but also set up our Realme accounts which is designed to make it easier for sharing of documents in NZ & while we are away overseas. So will see how useful it is with applying for our actual passports!

Hahei Beach

Bill working away. Part of the lovely gardens.

We are parked up at the back of Sam &Pauline's property which is lovely with the surrounding gardens which I have been spending time in to keep myself busy. It's lovely after quite a break from doing any garden, but obviously my hands have gone a bit soft with getting blisters after the first day. Bills days are full of either painting or Takeaways at the Hahei Store.

Hahei General Store Company Cars

Cathedral Cove

Cathedral Cove Walk - Gemstone Bay

Monday we did the lovely walkway over to Cathedral Cove, but with a high tide couldn't get all the way through, will come back & do it again on a low tide & sunnier day. Then had a wet day mid week, which prevented Bill from being able to work, so we headed off to Whitianga for the day and restocked our supplies. Whitianga is another lovely holiday spot on the Coromandle, that is still buzzing with holiday makers and being a sizable town, quite a lot of local residence too. Thursday the neighbours needed someone to come out with them and stay on the boat while they went diving, so Bill & I joined them. A lovely couple from California (she is a Prosecutor & he's ex NZ 20 years ago and is a Landscaper) they come out each summer to Hahei. Oh how the other half live! Obviously not in a bus :) So I was all excited we were going to have crayfish for dinner...... but sadly not. And even Bill fishing while they were down under, wasn't able to catch anything. Surprise, surprise!
With having time to catch up on our own plans, Bill decided he really needs better storage for all his tools & gear, so has put his trailer up for sale & purchased a new one. Check out Trademe 838793742 - plenty of lockers for all his gadgets. Which was fortunately for sale in Tauranga. So we are now the proud owners of two trailers! Anyone looking for a trailer???

Leadfoot Festival 2015

Waitangi Weekend saw the Leadfoot Festival being held at Hahei, which brings in about 8,000 extras over the weekend. Rod Millen who is the organiser (a professional racing driver) & the property owner where he has built a sealed car track from the main road up a sculptured hill & driveway to his home. It is a lovely setting, that is also advertised as a wedding venue ($15,000 to hire in case anyone is interested!) Sam, Bill & I went and spent Sunday afternoon at the event watching the various races, checking out the competitors cars, the spectators hair & fashions. ( there are a few that dress up in the 50's / 60's period). Although I am not normally interested in car racing, I found this event really enjoyable ( and no alcohol was involved either). The variety of cars, styles, different periods they were from, skills of the drivers particularly on the bikes & carts, kept everyone focused on the racing. Prior to the finals, there were 3 war planes doing aerobatics which were amazing. My photo's don't really show the skill these guys have. It was a great day, finished off with a lovely swim at Hahei Beach.

Amazing War Birds

Hair fashion - lots of Taylor Swift look alikes.

War Birds acrobatics

Perfect timing

Bills dream car - Ford Capri

Our next car?

Tauranga to Hahei Beach

Friday 23rd Jan to end Jan

The Donger at Greenwood Park Village

 Arrived Greenwood Park Lifestyle Village (Tauranga) late afternoon, and parked Big Yella up down in the donger where residents have their garden allotments ( huge amount of rhubarb being grown here)  and caught up with mum, who is now in her 93rd year. Although her body is shrinking away, mentally she is as sharp as ever. With so many social activities happening in the village, she keeps herself pretty active.
We spent the next couple of days out and around Tauranga, having a day out at Maketu Beach, a lovely little seaside settlement unspoilt by large modern holiday homes,
Caught up with good friends Dale & Don Shewan at their Papamoa home and 2 of their 3 boys (Scott & Zac) whom towered over me, but both gave me a lovely hug.

Bill & Pat looking dodgy!

Sunday the 25th was a day of celebration for Bill's birthday, well OK just out for lunch really! It was another lovely day so we went down the bottom of Tauranga City to the water front where there is a strip of bars & cafes. We spent a lovely couple of hours eating & drinking in the sun celebrating Bills birthday, live music completing a very pleasant afternoon.

Mum & I down Tauranga Waterfront

The following week Bill moved on up to Waihi Beach, staying with G&C (my brother & partner) and checking out some future work, before calling into Hikutaia at the Convenient Cow Cafe to do some work that was required there. He then moved onto Hahei where we have friends Sam (Steve in an earlier life - only changed his name not his sex) & Pauline who own the only General Store at the lovely Hahei Beach. Another beautiful coastal spot on the Coromandle. As this is their peak time of year and Pauline's daughters wedding approaching life is full on for them. So Bill has a list of jobs to do here and on the side help cook chips etc in the takeaway section of the store when required.
I stayed on with mum for the week going out every day for lunch, like Ladies do, catching up with a dear friend of mum's, also in her 93rd year, who has recently gone into full care. She was ill last year and has bounced back mentally but not physically. It is a concern for us all as a society, as we are ageing that there has to be a quality of life to live too, not just exist! The home Joan is now in caters for a range of people needing full care, and it is not an enlightening life existence that  you want anyone to live. The staff are so wonderful that care for these people, we should be valuing them far more than we currently do.
G&C kindly lent me one of their cars to be able to run Mum around, and then to be able to get up to Hahei and join Bill at the end of that week. Caught up with W&K (brother & sister-in-law) when they came down from Auckland for the weekend, and got a walk in around Mount Maunganui with them, before heading onto Hahei.
The other major event this week was of course the birth of another great niece -Daisy Boo Nicholas to Nicki & Simon in Riwaka - Simon now adding Midwifery to his CV after helping deliver Daisy who was in rather a rush to see her parents.

Taupo to Lake Whakamaru to Tauranga

Great Lake Trail

Taupo has never floated my kayak so to speak and indeed it still hasn't, however our 2 days here has altered my perception with warm balmy weather, good riding and plenty of scenic highlights. The Great Lake Trail is flat & smooth, a pleasure to cycle. There is still a fair portion of the country on holiday so not feeling overly conspicuous with our leisurely pace. We stayed at the NZMCA park which is generously proportioned (tons of room) and enjoyed a relaxing sundown with very modest amounts of food and alcohol, having eaten our main meal on the lakeside before our ride earlier in the day.

Wednesday dawned hot and fine which is a hallmark of our time on the road to date.
We drove to Spa Park Taupo with the intention of riding to the Huka Falls, onto Arataia Rapids. The ride, initially, to the falls is a grade 2, and Doc frowns on bikes on the walkway thus the cycleway was enjoyable for me but a little hardass for S. The Huka Falls are never disappointing, however the ride on to the Rapids was not an easy option so returned to the park and drove on to the rapids via the GeoThermal steamfields lookout. For me very interesting, S could see room for improvement, and who was responsible for cleaning those pipes, they should try a magicloth!!

Huka Falls

The Arataia rapids were a new one on me surprisingly, as the kids will attest to, having TikiToured every goddamn inch of this country, well there is still a lot to see.

Before Spill

After Spill

The rapids were bypassed to form another hydroplant on the Waikato but due to public outcry, what we would now know as the resousce act requires the power company to release water regularly, to keep the falls alive over the 500m stretch. The water is spilled 4 times during the day and is truly worth the wait, I liked it so much we stayed for two spills, interspersed with lunch ,a ride, a swim and a little litter collection at a beautiful camping spot that some of the country's youth seem to appreciate (why else would they be there??) but seem to think that it is ok to trash!! Moving on, the second spill was as good as the first and have a zillion photos and video to bore any one who cares to ask.

After Spill

Onto Lake Wakamaru, a flooded section of the Waikato River and a luverly camp stretching about a km along its banks amongst tall plantation pines. Possibly 30 other campers (tenting etc) several boats lots of kids and plenty of room. Neighbours were 150m either side so not to boxed in. The lake is weedy along the edges and testimony to our failed pest control measures, the freshwater carp introduced by  the Waikato farmers to eradicate weed in their waterways has successfully spread through out the Waikato filling the lakes with goldfish beating out the native fish. All is not lost however for as we kayaked around the lake we managed to sneak up on many trout congregating at the fresh water streams leading into the lake. Possibly 30 or so at one and 10 -15 at another, some well worth catching but with the weed not sure how you would go about snaring them, legally??!!.

The other interesting trait along the shoreline is the pumice stone. It is thick on all the shores, big and small, and the pumice sand in the shallows swirls round for a long time before languidly settling, after being disturbed. This is not good in your sandals.
The pumice is great for scrubbing the BBQ plate and have filled my trailer (very lite) to hawk off round the country and  for unsolicited gifts. I know.. you're excited ..............

The drive thru to Tokoroa from Mangakino has in my memory always been heavily forested, but with recent logging the whole nature of the country is altered, back to what it probably was prior to the 60s I guess. Dairy conversions are also changing the face of country with forestry being converted after logging. The big machinery and soft volcanic soils make for short work of turning stump filled landscape into river polluting green dairy fields. Diesel prices are variable round the area with Napier being 10c more than the outlying districts north and south, and in Papamoa Gull self service 20c cheaper at 86c!!