The 2023 NZMCA Motorhome Show

September 25, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

You never know how these are going to go given the economy as it is. Is there going be much new things to see? is it going to be well attended? but it was all that and more. For me it was also a great chance to catch up with quite a few friends I haven’t seen for a while.I arrived early on the Thursday morning and the first friend I caught up actually parked me 🙂 Great to see Alan and Keitha again 🙂Friday morning it was showtime. My first stand to see was the Zion Motorhomes stand where I caught up with Tony who was looking after the Morelo “Home” Motorhome on the stand.

Tony has been eagerly awaiting the delivery of his new Morelo Empire liner which will be the first of its kind in New Zealand. Delays due to Covid, delivery schedules and shipping delays have meant he has been waiting for nearly 2.5 years! It is due really soon. It is 10 metres long with a 400HP Mercedes Engine. As Tony says, Its a beast! Really exciting for both Tony and his wife Fiona and I wish them well.

After that, I got some images of the new Dethleffs Grand Alpa with its Dual rear axles and rear lounge. Nice Motorhome. 8.6 metres long with a GVM of 540kg’s. Great to see the Zion crew all looking good.

Click on the Gallery below to see an Enlarged images of the Grand Alpa

The Grand Alpa

Moving on from here I popped into the Nationwide RV stand to look at one of the new Autotrails. The F74 which runs on a WOF and has a rear bed with an extra drop-down bed. Nice motorhome and at 7.3metres is easy to manage for those wanting something a bit smaller but still comfortable with all the mod cons.

Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the F74

Just next door was the new ACM Alltrax caravan which is brand new. They describe it as the Caravan version of the ACM Platinum which is a stunning Motorhome and so is this Caravan. Check out the images.

Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the Alltrax

One of the most notable new things at the show would have to be the very retro looking German, Eriba 530 Caravan on the RV Mega stand. At 5.9metres overall and at 1400kg, it looks well built and comes with all the usual bits and bobs.

Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the Eriba

From here I popped into see the good folk at the NZMCA stand and did my usual team pic see below.

The crew with the Rio. NZMCA’s founders Motorhome.

Click on the Gallery below for enlarged images.

The Queue

RV super centre

One of the Kia Campers

Gin and Bare it tastinngs 🙂

Sensium used to be called Armada GPS and they sold me my GPS tracker that I have in Rafe that produces all the maps you see on these blogs. A great product and nice to catch up with them too.

Sensium’s Peter McLean showing how small the units are.

Once I got outside, it was interesting to see some of the Aussie caravans here with their raised chassis. They are pretty solid looking beasts and certainly look the part.

Another great show and nice to see so many old friends there.

Rafe’s tracker map to Mystery Creek – Armada GPS

Close to home, Waikato

It is all go at Pukekohe

September 17, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

It has been a while since I was last out here in Pukekohe, a few years perhaps but boy it has grown. There are new houses everywhere you look, and the town has grown too.

Click on any Image to Enlarge

I checked in with Sarah at the Pukekohe A&P grounds where they’ve provided Motorhome parking for some years now. She very kindly showed me where everything was and after parking the van, I went for a walk over the road to the Z Zone.

I stopped in at the local Hollywood Bakery for a coffee and then popped into a few local shops. before heading back to the park.

When I first started coming here about 8 years or so ago, it was all grass with lots of mud when it was wet and a couple of power poles.

Ian was the man in charge, and I understand he is still involved. He has done a magnificent job over the years of developing this into a really nice area to stay.

Now there are Toilets, showers and a coin operated Laundry in the new(ish) amenities block. There is a circular gravel road which runs past many of the sites and on past the dump station. So no more muddy exits 🙂 .. Ans all at a reasonable price too.

There are a lot more power points all set out with plenty of space on big sites. It’s a fantastic setup.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

The Amenities block, now with a Laundry

Just across the road is one of Pukekohe’s big shopping areas with the Warehouse and several other big stores. Pukekohe’s main street is just a few steps further on.

Having not been here for a while and seeing the changes, Ian, Sarah and the crew have done a fantastic job providing some Motorhome and Caravan accommodation in an area where there wasn’t any.

Here’s a link to my previous visit where I got to talk with Ian some years ago.

Rafe’s tracker map to Pukekohe – Armada GPS

Waikato

Motorhome Veterans go for space!

September 11, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

Valerie and Murray built one of their early Motorhomes themselves for accommodating horses and themselves at shows. Horses were at the back; they were in the front.

Click on any Image to Enlarge

Since then, they have had “6 or 7” with them being a mix from pop up Caravans, Pop up and small Motorhomes, to more recently a Swift Bessacar, Autotrail Commanche, a borrowed Roller team and now the main prize, the Swift Kon-Tiki.

They picked up the Kon-Tiki just 8 weeks ago from Wellington and what a beauty.

It is 9 metres long, has 2.5 litre motor and has everything that opens and shuts.

With the entertaining area in the front with seats down each side facing each other and a table in the middle. The Galley behind with a new tall Dometic double opening Fridge opposite. Behind this is the Bathroom with doors on each side and then the centre island bed at the back.

Its light and well-lit and they’re really happy with their new baby. They have done their first big trip in it up to Kerikeri and it went well. A very nice Motorhome with plenty of room.

Waikato

Antique Heaven in Paeroa

September 6, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

On the way from Waihi, I saw that the free parking in Paeroa was empty so I figured it might be timely to visit Countdown for some food and a look around Paeroa.

Click on any Image to Enlarge

I parked Rafe, paid for the parking and it was time to check out Paeroa… in the rain. It was pouring down. The Antique shops are amazing, but I had a feeling that there were a few more.

It wasn’t until later in the day when I popped into the Pub opposite the parking, The Paeroa Hotel that I found out sadly that several shops had not made it through the Covid lockdowns and the downturn that went with it. Several Antique shops too. Its always a shame to see a business fail especially when its outside your control to some degree like the Covid lockdown.

The Hotel was fun. I met several of the locals, had a few laughs and after a couple of glasses of wine headed back to Rafe.

The parking is essentially free unless you use power. That costs $5 a night and it’s all laid on by the Hauraki Council. It’s great to see a council that recognises that if you give Motor homers access to where the tills are and something to buy, buy they will so it’s a win win 🙂

Anyway, it’s a fantastic facility and so handy right in the middle of town.

I have always stayed in the Paeroa RV centre. Great folk there and a reasonable price but it’s a good half hour walk from town.

Rafe’s tracker map to Paeroa – Armada GPS

Waikato

Hot Pools, Olde Buildings and Parking.

September 2, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

One of the nice things about small towns dotted around the Waikato is the ambience of some of the old character buildings and Te Aroha is one of those towns.

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Along with its famous Hot Pools, sculptures on street corners, and nice old buildings, it also now has its very own NZMCA park. The best way to describe it is “long and skinny”, but it also backs on to a track that takes you straight into the town in minutes.

The Well know old Grand Tavern opposite the Museum

I was last here a few years ago at a rally next door to the park and it was a lot of fun. There was Kayaking down the river, the bike trails were busy, and the cafes did a roaring trade. Here’s a look back at that event here.