For Robert and Debbie Ferguson, a lifetime of caravanning, surf lifesaving and family traditions has naturally evolved into life on the road. Lisa Potter finds out more.
Some people buy a motorhome to escape the world. Robert and Debbie Ferguson bought theirs to stay connected to it.
After decades of caravanning, raising a family around New Zealand’s beaches and volunteering with surf lifesaving, the Auckland couple’s Explorer Navigator has become less about ticking off tourist attractions and more about following the people and places that matter most.
“It’s really about chasing the teams around,” says Robert. “The motorhome lets us go to events, base ourselves there and be part of it.”
That deep sense of community sits at the very heart of their story and of their adventures in their Explorer Navigator – chosen to allow them absolute flexibility on their travels.
A lifetime by the water
Robert’s connection with surf lifesaving stretches back more than half a century. He joined as a teenager, following in his father’s footsteps, and today remains deeply involved in the movement, helping improve rescue boat training and safety while supporting the next generation of lifeguards.
For Debbie, the lifestyle quickly became part of her world too.
The pair met on a blind date, but there was already a surprising connection between their families. Their fathers had been friendly rivals through surf lifesaving, and when Robert and Debbie married, their wedding felt more like a reunion of two extended beach communities.
Those friendships have stood the test of time. Their daughters Lily and Abby grew up spending weekends and holidays at the beach, surrounded by what Robert affectionately calls ‘all the aunties and uncles’ of the surf club. Now the next generation is carving out its own path, with grandchildren and young families beginning to fill the same spaces.
“It’s like another family,” says Debbie. “The kids have grown up there, and now they’re getting married and having children of their own.”
From caravans to motorhomes
The Ferguson tribe are no strangers to life on the road. Long before the Explorer arrived, there was a much-loved 1974 Crusader caravan that became the family’s beach headquarters. Every weekend seemed to revolve around loading up and heading away.
“When the girls were little, the caravan was the base,” Robert recalls. “We couldn’t have done everything we’ve done without the family being involved.”
The move to a motorhome wasn’t about leaving that lifestyle behind. It was about making it easier – and more comfortable.
Following surf lifesaving competitions, photography assignments and club events across the country meant hitching up a caravan was becoming less practical. The ability to simply turn the key and head off opened up new possibilities. And the Explorer quickly proved itself.
The couple first borrowed a demonstrator model for a two-week holiday, putting more than 1200 kilometres on the clock as they meandered through Northland.
“We probably only drove for an hour a day,” Robert laughs. “We had the time to really stop and enjoy places.”
They explored Waitangi, travelled to Cape Reinga and zigzagged their way home. By the time they handed the keys back, Robert knew he wanted one of his own.
Two years later, after a twist of fate and a phone call just before Christmas, that same Explorer became theirs. And a new simplified era of travel began.
Designed for Kiwi adventures
An electrician by trade and having spent many decades working within the marine and RV industries, Robert has seen countless motorhome brands come and go. He also knows everything there is to know when it comes to build quality, workmanship, power systems and appliances. So if he was going to make the switch from a caravan, he knew exactly what he wanted.
“I always liked the Explorer,” he says. “The people building them are absolute tradesmen. I’ve seen firsthand the quality and attention to detail from the ground up to all the small finishing touches.”
Designed and built in New Zealand, the Explorer Navigator reflects a distinctly Kiwi approach to motorhoming. Rather than chasing size for the sake of it, the focus is on practicality and ease of use.
Built on the capable Ford Ranger four-wheel-drive platform, the compact six-metre footprint makes it just as comfortable pulling into a supermarket carpark as it is setting up at a beachside campground.
For Robert and Debbie, that’s definitely part of the appeal.
“We didn’t want something huge,” Robert explains. “We wanted something we could just hop in and go.”
Inside, everything has a purpose. The rear lounge provides a welcoming place to relax after a day outdoors, while the well-equipped galley, generous sleeping space and practical bathroom make extended stays comfortable.
It’s a motorhome that doesn’t rely on gimmicks.
“Everything that’s in there is there for a reason,” says Robert. “There’s nothing unnecessary.”
That philosophy extends to its off-grid capability. Solar panels, lithium battery power and efficient heating mean the couple can comfortably spend several days away from powered sites without constantly worrying about water or batteries.
“We don’t skimp on anything,” says Robert. “You just live normally. It’s refreshingly easy.”
And driving it is no more complicated than a car according to Robert. Aside from being behind the wheel, Rob only has one other job – to close the bedside windows before they leave. It really is that simple.
Home wherever they park
For Debbie, one of the Explorer’s greatest strengths is its simplicity.
“I make the bed before we leave,” she says. “Then when we arrive, we put the table and chairs out, open a bottle of wine and we’re done.”
After years of setting up caravans and awnings, that ease has become something they truly appreciate.
The motorhome is always ready. The fridge is stocked, clothes are packed and every trip starts with the comforting knowledge that home is travelling with them.
Both have also learned that life on the road doesn’t have to be complicated.
Years of camping have taught them to pack only what they need, and the Explorer’s clever storage works perfectly with that philosophy.
“It’s perfect for us,” says Debbie.
With a queen size bed and easy to access luton, there’s plenty of space for comfortable sleeping – in fact, it’s just one step up into the bed, which also has sitting headroom, along with side windows for plenty of summer ventilation.
While ideally designed for two, the rear dinette does house a cleverly concealed pull out double bed for extra guests if required.
Certified Self Contained adds to the camping options. With fresh water capacity of 90 litres and grey water capacity of 70 litres, both tanks are fitted with monitors and neither Robert or Debbie have ever felt the need to scrimp and save on water for their everyday living arrangements.
Although equipped with a gas oven and 3-burner gas hob, as well as a pull-out pantry and 130L fridge/freezer, Debbie and Robert most commonly cook outside on their Sovereign stainless steel BBQ – a remnant of their caravan habits and Rob’s appreciation for quality marine grade products.
Following the friendships
While many motorhomers dream of escaping to remote locations, the Fergusons often find themselves travelling towards people. Surf lifesaving events now fill much of their calendar, with around 15 trips planned between now and Christmas alone.
The Explorer allows them to arrive early, stay a little longer and soak up the atmosphere rather than rushing home once the competition finishes.
Robert’s love of photography has added another dimension to those journeys, capturing competitors and friends from inside the event arena.
The RV lifestyle has also strengthened the friendships that have shaped their lives.
“You can just about go anywhere in New Zealand and know someone,” he says.
That sense of belonging has become one of the unexpected rewards of motorhome travel.
The road ahead
Although Robert officially retired a year ago, retirement has turned out to be busier than expected. As well as his role as president of United North Piha Lifeguard Service, Robert continues to deliver expert presentations around all things heating, electrical and appliances for RV Supplies. Debbie, a nurse, has also found herself drawn back to work more than once. Even so, they are determined to make the most of this next chapter, with plenty more motorhome travel in their future.
The South Island remains high on the wish list, with dreams of spending a winter exploring familiar places from a completely different perspective. Events such as Wings Over Wānaka and Bluff’s famous Oyster Festival are also firmly on the travel calendar.
Robert and Debbie have spent a lifetime discovering that the best journeys are rarely about covering big distances. They’re about slowing down, catching up with old friends and creating new memories along the way.
Their Explorer Navigator is simply the latest chapter in a story that started decades ago with a caravan by the beach and a community that became family.
