Camping isn’t what it used to be – and that’s much of the appeal for those new to the lifestyle. A new generation of gear and design is helping Kiwis rediscover the magic of the great outdoors, without sacrificing comfort. What used to be about ‘roughing it’ is now more enjoyable, thanks to lightweight tech, better materials, and clever multi-function design.
Waikato-based Ben Groom recently ventured back into the world of camping – his previous experience just a distant childhood memory. What he discovered wasn’t just a new way to holiday, but a modern take on a classic Kiwi pastime, where the simple joys of camping meet a level of comfort and ease that would have been hard to imagine a few decades ago. Ben shares his Camping 101 experience.
After years of searching out the best hotel deals, my wife Rhiannon and I decided to take the plunge and become campers, inspired by a trip with my brother and his family. We didn’t have a tent at the time, so booked a cabin. It was summer, hot, and there was barely enough room to stand up. While it was a great weekend away, we felt like we were missing out – my brother and his family had a tent and a campsite and seemed to be tapping into something we weren’t: that relaxed, outdoorsy rhythm that camping brings.
It struck us that camping today isn’t about roughing it like it once was – it’s about reconnecting with the outdoors, but on your own terms, with gear that makes it easy, comfortable, and genuinely enjoyable.
The Initial Pitch
Right: Full set up takes just minutes
Straight after that trip, we started looking for tents, inspired both by the freedom that comes with a tent and as a way to save money on hotel getaways. It felt like rediscovering a style of travel that had quietly evolved into something far more accessible than I remembered.
Having not slept in a tent since my school years, I had no idea how many different kinds of tents there were now – almost overwhelming in fact. What stood out though was just how far camping gear has come, with smarter designs and innovations taking a lot of the hassle out of the experience.
The basics: We wanted something that would fit both of us and have space for our dog, Ava. Height was a priority as we’re both over 6 foot tall, so headroom was important. We also wanted something quick and easy to set up and pack down – absolutely nothing complicated or requiring lots of pieces.
After plenty of research (fortunately something we both enjoy), we narrowed it down to an air tent – and for us, the clear winner was the Zempire Aerospeed 10 (by a long way). Peak height is 225cm, with dimensions of 485cm by 405cm, so it feels more like a large room than a tent.
This inflatable air tent is designed to allow plenty of space without the hassle of traditional poles. The standout feature for us, however, was the quick setup. Using a single inflation point, you can have it fully up in a couple of minutes, and we’ve got our full setup (tent, beds, etc.) down to around 10 minutes in total now – a far cry from the fiddly, time-consuming setups many of us remember from years gone by.
It’s a big tent, with heaps of room to move around, and with the option to split it into separate spaces if you want a bit more privacy or individual rooms for guests or a lounge area. The ventilation is also really good, which helps with airflow and keeps things comfortable, especially in warmer weather. There’s also handy built in storage so all your essentials (phone, torch, etc) can easily be placed and found.
The air frame feels solid and holds up well, even when the weather isn’t perfect, which gives you a bit of confidence when you’re out there. Packing it down is just as easy: deflate, roll it up, and you’re good to go – all part of a camping experience that feels remarkably simple and user-friendly.
Setup, Gear and Food
We also risked overwhelm when it came to researching accessories – there are a LOT out there. We decided to start with the absolute minimum and do a few trips to suss out what necessities really are required. It’s easy to get mesmerised by all the options, especially when modern camping gear blurs the line between outdoors and everyday comfort.
Our current setup includes a double-height bed with a memory foam topper (we’re on the search for a queen or king size inflatable bed), a basic table and two stools, a Ninja FrostVault chilly bin (absolutely amazing) – and fairy lights! I’m not quite sure how these made it onto our essentials list – suffice to say, we each got to choose our own essentials.
First Trip: Ōhope Top 10 Holiday Park
Our first trip was to Ōhope Top 10 Holiday Park. The setup went well, and the facilities were great. It was only a short walk to the beach, and there was plenty to do, including mini golf, a sauna, a pool with hydro slides, and a hot pool. There were even private hot tubs overlooking the beach.
What didn’t go well: I forgot the table. We also had a corner site, which meant more cars and people walking past at night heading to the bathrooms. It was Waitangi weekend, so probably not the easiest time for a first trip, but we made it work and had a blast.
What I learned: Make a list, pack the night before, and keep everything in one place so you don’t miss anything.
Second Trip: Miranda Tasman Holiday Park
This was the first time we took Ava with us. We booked a fully fenced pet site, which was a game changer. The park had great facilities, including frisbee golf, mini golf, and really good showers.
We arrived later than planned and ended up setting up in the dark. This is where the Zempire Aerospeed 10 really showed its value, it was up in no time. The tent itself is quick; it’s the rest of the setup that takes longer but that will change as we get more familiar with the process.
I remembered the table this time but forgot the stools. We’re getting better.
Final Thoughts
Right: Handy storage for essentials
What I enjoyed most about the whole camping experience is the freedom, the ease of picking a weekend and just going, and being able to take Ava along with us.
The biggest lesson is not to buy the most expensive gear straight away – buy to suss out how you want your camping to be, and to buy smart. Rather than jumping in and buying everything at once, we’ve used Facebook Marketplace, clearance deals, and borrowed gear from friends and family to see what we actually need. Now that we’ve well into our research, we’ve got a much clearer idea of what is and what isn’t worth investing in. Stay tuned for more adventures as next we’re heading back to Ōhope as we enjoyed it so much and want to spend more time there.
Ben’s camping essentials
Whilst a few of these might seem a luxury, they elevate camping from a rough and ready ‘suffer and bear it’ experience, to something entirely more enjoyable – allowing you to return home after a weekend of camping blissed out and relaxed.
Ninja FrostVault Chilly Bin
The closet you’ll get to having an actual fridge in your tent, the Ninja FrostVault chilly bin is an absolute beast and easily one of the best pieces of gear we’ve taken. It’s got a big capacity, so there’s plenty of room for food and drinks, and the ice retention is seriously impressive. We put three bags of ice in on day one, and it lasted four days in the summer heat without any issues.
One of the standout features is the separate dry zone drawer. It keeps food cold without it sitting in water, so things like sandwiches, fruit, or meat don’t end up soggy, which is a game changer when you’re camping for a few days.
It’s solid, well built, and feels like it can handle being thrown in and out of the car without any worries. It’s one of those items you don’t realise how much you need until you use it properly. Plus, it doubles as a useful table for preparing food.
We also packed a tub with plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, a cooking knife, paper towels, drying towels, and cooking utensils like a mixing spoon and spatula – these stay permanently packed with our camping gear so they’re always part of our kit.
Food & Snacks
Even though we weren’t too far from town or supplies, we wanted to try some proper trail and camping food. It’s useful to have some instant meals on hand in case you arrive late or can’t be bothered leaving your campsite in search of a hot meal.
Real Meals: We tried Real Meals freeze-dried pulled pork and tom kha gai. We were honestly surprised by how good they were. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and only need boiling water, which makes them ideal for camping.
After setting everything up and running low on energy, just adding water and having a proper, flavour-packed meal in minutes is a game changer. The tom kha gai had a really nice balance to it, and the pulled pork was hearty and filling, exactly what you want after a long day.
Crafty Weka Bites: These are packed with goodness and are a great quick snack to have on hand. They’re gluten free and made from natural ingredients, so you feel a bit better about smashing one back between meals. They might look small, but they’re surprisingly filling and easy to throw in your bag for the day. Ideal for long hikes or bike rides too.
Caffeine hit: Going without good coffee was never an option for us. We tried two completely different ways of having our brew and both deliver. The first is a convenient compact portable espresso maker from Gearshop NZ – the Wacaco Nanopresso for coffee-on-the-go. It’s small enough to fit in any backpack, so can be taken on bike rides or walks, and being hand powered is super versatile. It holds around 80ml of water and uses a small amount of ground coffee, so it’s efficient as well.
If you fancy being the most popular person on the campgrounds, the Ninja Cafe Luxe Premier is next level. I was able to make café-quality coffees quickly and consistently. With a built-in grinder, smart dosing, and automatic milk frothing, it takes the guesswork out of making good coffee. Plus, as it makes everything from espressos to cold brews, it can be enjoyed year-round.
