In mid 2014, as Caravan owners, we saw our perfect motorhome. It was out in Howick with a whole heap of other Dethleffs behind a church. Jonas and his wife Irene were bringing them into New Zealand and selling them from the carpark behind his church.
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On the lot .. Madam with Rafe when we were first looking.
To cut a long story short, we bought the van, and it was sent off to Silverdale to be prepared for us.
The Showroom
I can remember how scary it was driving this home to Devonport for the first time, through the rush hour traffic back to Devonport. That was nearly 10 years ago !
The other day, I met up with Jonas and Irene to see their brand-new Sales building in Pokeno next to their current building which will be their service centre.
From the back with the extra Storage
It is HUGE. There is also a big yard behind the building for more storage of Motorhomes.
The current building with the new building on the right
They’ve come a long way over the last nearly 10 years and you have to take your hat off to them for doing so well. They now have a lot more brands and to build them all from scratch in New Zealand is no mean feat.
Congratulations on the new building and Well Done!
What an exciting day for Tony and Fiona. After two and a half years, the handover of their new Motorhome and its HUGE!
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The Morelo Palace behind for comparison
After several trips to the factory in Germany over the last 2 years and lots of research, it has finally happened. As Tony says, “When he was filling in the options form, the pen didn’t want to stop”, so as Tony says, “Its fully pimped “!
The new beast
It is 10 metres long, 4 meters high. Carries 500 litres of fresh water and 240 litres of both black and grey water. It is on a Mercedes Actros Chassis with a 400HP, 7 litre 6-cylinder motor with a 12-speed gearbox.
The “Stairway to Heaven “
There was an option to have the drive in the boot storage for a small vehicle but as Tony said, he could make better use of the space as a bigger garage and get more locker space outside by putting the electrics where the car would go.
Huge living and entertaining space.
It is like a footie field inside with a higher than most Motorhomes stud height, slightly wider than your average bear and of course the length.
The Galley
They had a Morelo Palace before this and there was one parked in front of it at the Zion yard and you can definitely see the difference next to the Empire Liner. When they bought their Palace, the Empire liners weren’t available in a form that was acceptable by NZ Transport, but several rules changed in the last few years.
Centre Island Bed
I’m really pleased for them as they have been through numerous delays due to Covid and shipping/parts delays and its finally here and it is exactly what they wanted.
A wee break from a motorhomes but this was a special event 🙂
We’re due to go away again soon 🙂
The sun was shining and there was an Art Show on at Fort Cautley which is the old Army base above Narrow Neck beach.
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Great tree
It was a sculpture exhibition and is its first time back after a 5 year break due to Covid with the proceeds were going to Womens Refuge.
This got some attention.
I was quite looking forward to this as it was the first time the historic fort buildings and gun emplacements were being used as part of the exhibition.
Part of the Historic Fortifications
There were some nice pieces. The Lady lifting the rock got plenty of interest.
Click on the Gallery below to see the show
Liam with his Dog
A Kaleidescope of plants
Part of the Historic Fortifications
In the Fort cd’s
Secondary school art
3 little pigs
Neat Dolls house
The Giant Whale Tail with the view
Rotating Blocks
There was a giant whale’s tail, and it was nice the way the old gun emplacement was decorated with coloured petals. Grandson Liam took a shine to the bronze dog just inside the entrance.
The coloured petals by the Gun
There was some really interesting stuff here and it was well worth the walk in the sun. The view next door couldn’t be beaten either 🙂
First were the coffee carts who must have done a roaring trade both strategically parked at each end of the park and fantastic coffee too.
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Popular on Saturday morning
Then came tossing the Gumboot, Throwing the Hammer and throwing the Caber.
Throwing the GumbootThe CaberThrowing the Hammer
There was a 50-minute walk in 5 minutes and also some egg throwing too… 🙂
The walk
A lot of fun and in perfect sunshine. The Motorhomes parked around the grounds got their chairs out and watched in comfort with their morning teas and biscuits 🙂
The GrandstandThe Grandstand for the games
After this the Hamilton Pipe Band came on with the pipes and drums which sounded amazing. You can’t beat a good pipe band.
Hamilton Pipe BandHamilton Pipe BandHamilton Pipe Band
The games carried on then we had the ceremonial entrance of the Haggis lead by one of the senior pipers and with Chairman of the NZMCA Waikato group carrying the Haggis with the Whiskey following behind.
The Haggis being piped in.Michael with the Haggis
I’ve never tried Haggis before but it’s really nice and found myself partaking when I was offered seconds 🙂 Must be the McLean blood in me!
In the afternoon there was a jazz group called the Flaming Mudcats on the stage which I popped over to check out. They were really good with a chap on the double bass.
Check out all those Motorhomes
In the evening, it was back in the hall for another band called Landslide, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band where we sat with our Dethleff Friends from the group. Nice to see them again.
Saturday night with Landslide
After a lie in on the Sunday morning after the rugby, Fiona went for another walk into town while I chatted to our Dairy Farmer neighbours from Rotorua, Tony and Teresa. There were a lot of discussions about the rugby and that Brit in the bunker 🙂 as you can imagine.
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Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
The Haggis
The Caber
Throwing the Gumboot
Throwing the Hammer
The walk
Throwing the Gumboot
Neal with his Highland gear 🙂
Harmonic Resonators on the Sunday night.
During the afternoon, there was an Accordion player, Annie Gong with come music sounds that she had made and versions of some well know songs, which sounded like a whole orchestra. It was well done. There were also raffles being held backed by NZMCA sponsors and others.
Harmonic Resonators on the Sunday night.
That night there was another band called The Harmonic Resonators which was essentially a family group which did some great harmonic singing. Think Crosby Stills and Nash but with some Te Reo as well along with lots of old favourites. They were fantastic and had great voices. Everyone in the hall were there to the end with a standing ovation. 🙂
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700 Motorhomes! see if you can find yours!
The weather was really starting to deteriorate with wind coming in but to a large degree, we were sheltered by Mt Te Aroha. The wind was coming around it though but that changed it to a south easterly which worked well as we were all parked pointing to the south. Over Sunday night, it blew dogs off chains, and we rocked and rolled. Some left later on Sunday to avoid the forecasted gloom 🙂
I was just pleased that the ground was so well prepared so there was little chance of getting stuck.
We were going to go over to the hall again for the final farewells and raffle results, but the weather was awful, so we decided to take advantage of a spell in the rain and head for the gate before the rush. Once we got to Ngatea, we refueled, emptied tanks and had a cup of tea.
The whiskey tradition.
Thanks for a fantastic weekend, great entertainment and as I said at the beginning, very well organised and we’re looking forward to the next one. 🙂
Rafe’s tracker map to the Te Aroha Romp – Armada GPS
After the huge success of the Tokoroa Timber town Romp over several years, the move to Te Aroha was only going to be better. Michael, Des and the team from the Waikato NZMCA committee have well and truly done a fantastic job over the years and I was really looking forward to it.
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Sheltered by the Mountain
It was explained to everyone at the beginning that the show was only on with some strict rules from the council due to their sensitivity of have nearly 700 Motorhomes, Caravans and Buses parked on and around their footy ground. It probably didn’t help that some rain arrived on the morning before the parking got underway but the parkers did an excellent job getting Motorhomes and Caravans to vary the route through to the parks so there weren’t great big tracks created.
Rafe with the soccer field behind
We were parked in the middle between the soccer and rugby grounds on some very solid and what felt like well drained ground which I was pleased about as there were some dire predictions of what was to come towards the end of the weekend.
Ready for the Rugby
The event went from Friday through to Monday with the weather packing up on the Sunday night. Many people left before the weather deteriorated on Sunday.
The parkers heading for a beer after a busy Friday
After parking Rafe, we opened vents and then went for a walk into Te Aroha across conveniently walkway across the river. The first port of call was a cafe for a coffee and a scone and then Fiona walked further on to have a look at the shops.
One of a few sculptures in the street
We’ve been here several times before to a Waikato rally and for a look at the town. It’s a lovely spot. Check out these links.
After heading back to the park, I went for a walk around and bumped into old friends Tim and Pam who I haven’t seen for years. Tim and Pam were involved with the Classic Boats on Rotoiti, and we used to catch up every year down there when I was involved with the Classic Yacht Association. Great to see them.
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One of the sights
Ready for the Rugby
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
Dancing between the tables Friday night
Dancing between the tables Friday night
Dancing while sitting 🙂
Dancing between the tables Friday night
Great to see a good number of our Dethleffs Group here with their Motorhomes and having fun. I also caught up with Neal who with his team have parked all vehicles for years on these rallies and is stepping down from the role this year. He’s a real gem and a great character.
Neal with his Highland gear 🙂
Later on Fiona and I headed over to the Hall with some lubricant and settled down for a great night with a band called the White Goat band.
They were fantastic doing all the old favourites that everyone knew. Most were up dancing all night and were there until it finished.
Dancing between the tables Friday nightThe White Goat band Friday NightThe White Goat band Friday Night
A great night and we still had the Highland Games to come the next day ! Next post 🙂
Rafe’s tracker map to the Te Aroha Romp – Armada GPS
The school holidays had rolled around, and our son Alex had two business trips to both Wellington and New York so it was down to Fiona and I to entertain the two boys. Ayden 14, and Liam 11.
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Ngongotaha looking a little dreary on the first day.
Our oldest son Drew and his partner Jenna and their 10 month old son Archie were going to meet us in Rotorua later and were staying in a boutique Hotel in Rotorua town.
The three cuzzies, Ayden, Archie and Liam by the waterfront.
Our first thought was to stay at the Speedway track which is somewhere I’ve never stayed before or Ngongotaha NZMCA park. Fiona had the idea that she would follow us down in the car so we could run around down there more easily.
We were off. Ayden sat in the copilots’ seat and Liam came down with Fiona a wee bit behind.
Liam and Ayden with the Hopscotch
We arrived in Rotorua early in the afternoon with passing showers so after checking out the Speedway which looked amazing, I decided against staying there only due to the power being 3 pin plug. Our 10 amp adapter is not weatherproof and the only spare 16 amp weather protected plug meant crossing some fairly boggy ground, so it was off to Ngongotaha.
I was pleasantly surprised that there were plenty of powered sites still free given it was school holidays and the park was quite busy. We plugged in and settled down until Fiona and Liam arrived in the car an hour or so later.
Down on the waterfront
It didn’t take long for the boys to check out the park and they quickly found the hopscotch right next to the powered parks. Later that day we headed into town to the park by the waterfront for the boys to run around.
Click on the Gallery below for enlarged images at the Waterfront
The amusement fair on the waterfront.
Down on the waterfront
The boys in the playground
Ayden and Liam on a swing.
People on the waterfront
Down on the waterfront
Andrew and Jenna texted so it was off to see them at their hotel and then we walked to the Lone Star for a meal. I haven’t been here for a while, so it was a quick reminder on how big the meals are there 🙂
Drews HUGE pork ribs at the Lone Star !
The next day after some more Hopscotch, we caught up again with Drew, Jenna and Archie.
Liam, Ayden, Archie with granny Fiona at the French cafe
After a nice lunch at Fiona’s favourite French cafe, we drove up to the Paradise Valley Animal Park for the boys, all three of them!
Ayden having fun with a DonkeyLiam feeding a Goat
They really enjoyed it and saw the Lions being fed which was amazing. The slabs of meat get thrown over about a 30 metre high French surrounding the enclosure 🙂
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Liam feeding a deer at the Animal Park
Trout at the Anima Park
Archie in his pushchair
Jenna, Archie, Drew and Liam in the background with a llama
Jenna, Archie, Ayden and Drew with the Llamas
Liam with a Goat
Ayden having fun with a Donkey
The happy Lion after a feed
There was a fair / amusement arcade setup on the fields behind the waterfront park, so we took the boys there. Ayden had broken his thumb playing rugby and was in cast so that reduced the Funtime activities for him which was a shame. Liam had a go at the dodgems and Ayden settled for some candy floss.
Liam on the Dodgems
The next morning, we were meeting Drew, Jenna and Archie at the Gondolas so that Liam could have a go on the Luge. He had a great time while we waited for him with cups of coffee in the Cafe.
Liam, Archie, Drew and Jenna on the Gondola.
Both boys came back with me in Rafe and we caught up with Fiona at Tirau.
Liam on the ride back up.
It was a fun few days and they really enjoyed it and it was a nice change for us too. Here is a look at a previous trip to Rotorua with the boys.
Rafe’s tracker map to Ngongotaha NZMCA park – Armada GPS
Anywhere you look on the Internet these days, you’ll find lots of stories about judder in reverse in the Fiat Motorhomes. Some of it is true, some of it not.
Over the last two years or so, I’ve noticed that Rafe has started to do this more and more so early this week, I rang the good guys at Italian Autos in Otahuhu to see if someone could have a look at it. I was stressing that it might be the clutch or the flywheel about to let go!
I turned up early in the morning and Barry had a minute free to have a quick look at the problem. He turned it around and reversed up and down in their driveway and very quickly said, “Nothing wrong with the clutch or flywheel but it would probably improve things with a new Gearbox mount.”
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Fiat Heaven
Yippee I thought, they’re a bit less serious. So, I booked it in and after getting up early to get through the traffic, I arrived a few days later just as they were opening up for the day.
Rafe was picked up from the carpark and driven onto the hoist and after only lifting it a few feet from the floor, Engineer Eugene got underneath on a trolley and 40 minutes or so later, it was all done! Amazing.
Eugene under Rafe with the new Mount on the floor behind him.
The difference is remarkable!! It’s a beast of a part when you’re looking at it but very important in the scheme of things.
Apparently, the 3 litre Iveco (and Fiat) motor swings on two mounts at the top on either end. This Gearbox mount deals with the torque at the bottom and they are prone to wearing out, as every time you accelerate or decelerate, they’re under immense loads.
The rear mount
All done and all good. I can’t speak highly enough of the friendliness and efficiency of the guys there. Thank you and thanks for making it stress free 🙂
One of the loveliest spots to stay is at the Mighty River Domain on the banks of the Waikato River.
Complete with its own Cafe, it is also home to competitive rowing in New Zealand and most mornings you’ll find the nation’s elite Rowers and Kayakers going for row.
It is also very cost effective to stay there too.
Plenty of space up on the top levelThe bottom area
We last stayed here with 25 Motorhomes with the Dethleffs Owners group get together last year. It worked well and was a lot of fun with two communal meals and lots of laughs.
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The rowing grandstand
The Outlook !
An interesting photoshoot while I was there 🙂
Part of the playground
Nice outdoor area from the Kitchen
I met some neat people from New Plymouth while I was here who I caught up with later.
Friends down on the lower level.
There are two levels of powered parking, ablutions blocks everywhere you look (to cater for rowers) and plenty of places for some great walks. There is also a bike trail into Cambridge which is about 7 k’s away.
Part of the playground
GPS instructions to get here included a trip across the top of a dam which you can’t do in most Motorhomes so the best way there is via Cambridge.
After parking early on Thursday morning, and after a cup of coffee and getting things ship shape in Rafe, I went for a bit of a wander around the parking areas.
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Lots of white vehicles
It’s amazing just people watching and taking piccies as I went of things happening. The parking team did an amazing job getting lines straight and getting everyone in safely.
Talking to some of them later, it’s amazing to hear that there were a few whines from visitors not being able to park right next to their friends etc.
The blurb did say, “if you want to be next to friends or family, come in together”. It’s hard work for the volunteer parkers getting everyone in safely, let alone stop queues unnecessarily.
As I say, the Volunteer parkers did an amazing job well done yet again…!!
Check out the images of my walk about the parking area. I can’t get over the number of old friends I bumped into while walking around. Great fun.
Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged people images.
Reading something that doesn’t need to be plugged in 🙂
Off to the show
The Queue to get in
I’m not sure there were as many people as previous shows, but it was a fun place to be and lots to see.
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.
The Morelo on the left.
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.
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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.
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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 NZMCA team.The crew with the Rio. NZMCA’s founders Motorhome.
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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.
Fiona & Chris, two empty nesters put their dreams of doing something different into reality… Now back in a house, they were living in their Motorhome, come along for the ride.
To cut a long story short, we bought the van, and it was sent off to Silverdale to be prepared for us. 
The other day, I met up with Jonas and Irene to see their brand-new Sales building in Pokeno next to their current building which will be their service centre.
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