stoves & fuel in New Zealand

White gas is available in NZ, though not as easily as gas canisters. I've done >10 hiking trips in NZ with a Snowpeak Giga gas canister stove. Apart from ease of use & reliability advantages on longer trips (see stove reviews) there are other considerations:

Gas canisters are widely available throughout NZ – usually Kovea or MSR brands. In rural areas near trails, you can often buy them from small grocery stores. Not so white gas, which I've only seen in specialist hiking stores in larger towns. You may not want to go into them just to buy fuel. Most hiking stores in Auckland are downtown, which is a long way from the airport.

Canister stoves give no airport grief (without canister obviously) whereas white gas stoves definitely can. Christchurch airport's official policy disallows any used white gas stoves and/or bottles no matter how well they're cleaned. And cleaning them thoroughly when on the road is difficult anyway.

Depending on where your first hike is located, you may not need to buy fuel in Auckland if you have a canister stove. I can give some guidance on hiking stores etc. if you want to go that route – just ask.

New Zealand is a first world country old mate… they speak English so you may have to brush up a little from your version ;)…

you will have no problem with canister stoves. they are very easy to fly with – sans cylinder – and cylinders are everywhere. Tramping is a huge sport in NZ – unlike the States. Also, You will find gas stoves in a lot of the huts along the main walking tracks as well – so you won't need to use yours.

>- Does "denatured alcohol" have the same name in NZ? If not, what do they call it?

It is called "methylated spirits" or "meths", and is readily available in supermarkets as a purple liquid in one litre bottles.

>- Is Esbit [methenamine] fuel available in NZ (in case I can't take it on a plane)? If so, what is it called? And any suggestions for a supplier in Auckland?

Most outdoor shops will carry "solid fuel" such as Coghlan's. It's often round, 10g tablets, but otherwise works like Esbit.

> A clear alternative is BPL's Bush Buddy. We will be in Fiordland, so are concerned about wet conditions. Truly, how hard is it to learn to use the bush buddy in the rain? (I've never made a cooking fire from wet wood, but I have time to practice.)

– For the Bush Buddy, we'll want some "fire starter" tablets (for wet conditions). What is a brand name for fire starter tablets in NZ? Any recommendations on where we might by these?

I would discourage the BB in Fiordland unless you are very experienced. If you DO decide to bring a BB, you might want to bring some Tender Quick tabs (or equivalent) with you. These shouldn't pose a problem in your baggage.

You can bring your Whisperlite, and just buy a fuel bottle in Auckland. "White Gas"is pretty readily available, sometimes in supermarkets, sometimes at petrol stations, etc…

Overall though, I agree with the above that canister stoves are the most reliable and convenient option. And depending on what walks you do, you may not even have to carry a stove or tent at all…

I have done the Milford, Routeburn, and Dusky Tracks in Fiordland as well as Ball Pass and Mueller Hut in Mt. Cook. I would say go with a canister stove. You can pick one up for $30 to $50 and save yourself a lot of headaches. Flying with a white gas stove is just an extra headache. Also make sure your boots and any other gear are thoroughly cleaned as you will be asked about this in Auckland and may even be inspected. Solid fuel is available but I wouldn't use it indoors and I would forget about the bushbuddy. You will be cooking in huts on almost any track in NZ. If you do camp on a track you may want to cook in your tent because of the rain and a canister stove is easiest and safest.

If you use your white gas stove on the North Island and then want to fly to the South Island your smelly fuel bottle may be a problem. If you will not be using your stove on the North Island and will be flying on from Auckland to the South Island you will not want to get fuel in Auckland. If you are heading straight for Fiordland a stop in Te Anau on your way through will allow you to get anything you need. Christchurch and Queenstown also have many outdoor shops to pick up gear. Almost any town will have canisters available. Have a great trip!!

Ryan

not providing any useful info but I found funny this bit I read sometime ago, like NZ is the place where you'll find a gas canister in a grocery store and then the cashier will give you up to date information on the local trails :)
It's and outdoor bound place.

What is your itinerary? You say you have only two hours in Auckland, so I presume you are flying to somewhere else? Chances are very good that where ever you fly in to will have more than one store where you can buy groceries, fuel, and whatever. Attempting to have everything you need waiting at Auckland airport seems more effort than it's worth!

Bivouac is a chain of outdoor stores in NZ. It has shops in all the main centres and will have everything you need for your trip other than grocery stuff. You can order online and probably arrange to pick it up at the nearest post office or accomodation you might plan to stay in. Be warned they don't have a lot in the way of food (only one brand of freeze-dried meals), so you will still need to find groceries somewhere.

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/Information/4

Hey, that's actually true! I've got some great trail info from cashiers & waiters in cafes & pubs. Then bought a canister where I filled up the car. It really was a 'gas' station. Especially on the South Island, tramping is part of normal daily life for many locals.

Thanks all for sharing the collective knowledge.

A canister stove is sounding good right now.

Regarding canister stoves, do I correctly understand from everyone's experience that the "used" burner portion of a canister stove is safe in airline luggage, whether to bring down or take back home, with no remnants of fuel inside? Or should I anticipate buying it in NZ and giving it away before I leave?

Regarding the question about itinerary, the problem is that we arrive mid-afternoon Christmas Eve, only a short time before shops close for the holiday… =IF= the flight is on time, which it won't be, as per Murphy's Laws and my pessimism. And the next day shops are closed (according to our reserach. Yes? No? Anyone?).

We stay the night with friends, who have offered to pick up supplies (hence my inquiries about the local names for Esbit and denatured alcohol). Then we leave early the next morning for Tongariro Nat'l Park via train.

For a fallback plan, can anyone suggest/assure me of the existence of a fuel/food supplier in National Park Village who would be open late on Xmas day?

Of course our fallback plan No. 3 is to ask Santa Claus for a stove, fuel and food delivery on Xmas night but I didn't want to waste a wish if I didn't need to 'cause I also want a new bike. Ho ho ho.

My continued thanks for all the help here folks.

– Robert

The burner of a canister stove is perfectly fine for airline travel. So BYO and take it with you when you leave.

You are unlikely to find much open on Xmas day, so your plan to have your friends get you supplies is a good one. You can also use Bivouac online to have stuff (such as canisters) delivered to your friends place, but someone will still need to do the grocery shopping.

Ahh from memory the only place to buy food (in summer anyway) at National Park is the hostel. There's not much choice and it's expensive. We got stuck there for an extra day with no money or food. The hostel is in an indoor climbing gym though, good times.

if I remember right, there was a gas station there with a small shop. Not much in there though. But this is old news (year 2000).

Thank you, all, particularly the local talent. I plan to buy a canister stove today and look through the Bivouac website with hopes of ordering/delivering fuel to our friends' place. I do hope Bivouac has something (!) in the way of freeze-dried basics that can be delivered as well, but it looks like Fallback Plan 4 will be nutrient-loading on airplane food on the way down….or not.
All best,
Robert Matson

Robert,

You should check with the locals and maybe NZ Customs, but I'm pretty sure you would be fine to take freeze dried food with you. This is likely to save you both time and money, and also give yo a much wider selection.

Dehydrated food may be more problematic, and dehydrated meat will be a definitely be a no-no

Robert

I work for Bivouac in NZ and felt should tell you that I agree with the conclusion to go witn a screw on type canister stove but you will have trouble buying online. We do not sell them online as a standard item because they really need to be shipped by a dangerous goods courier.

Best thing to do is email us using the contact form online and tell them what you are after and where they would go and we can sort out your options. If nearby a store your friends may be able to pick them up or a staff member may be able to drop them off. If too hard we can look at courier option.

Most common are Kovea which work fine with MSR and most other screw fitting stoves. These are NZ$7.90 for a 230gram cannister. Also sell MSR but gas mix near identical yet cost an extra dollar each.

Hope you enjoy the trip and feel free to email us with any gear questions.

Gary

> Most common are Kovea which work fine with MSR and most other screw fitting stoves.
Recommended.

Cheers

See, that's the kind of service that makes me love Bivouac. Last time I ordered from them, someone rang me from NZ to Australia to let me know that the XS Icebreaker singlet I ordered for my wife was sold out, but if I wanted to wait an extra two days, they would get it in from a retail store, and add it to the order.

Somehow I can't see Paddy Pallin staff dropping me a canister off on their way home!

Another vote for Kovea. Very high quality at an affordable price. If you DO decide to go with a canister stove you might even want to consider buying a Kovea stove. Check out the titanium model here (and remember these are NZ dollars so cheaper than US):

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/default.aspx?action=search

If you really like the Whisperlite design, you might also consider the MSR WindPro or the Kovea Moon Walker. They're basically identical to the Whisperlite except they've been refitted to use canisters. Heavier than the titanium kovea, but extremely stable and wind resistant.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I also have a second hand SnowPeak Giga (with windscreen) that I would happily sell you for not much, or even just lend to you if you cover postage to and from your friend's house. Ooops, am I breaking any solicitation rules here?? The stove works as good as the day it was born!

Gary, thanks for dropping in and making the delivery suggestions. Useful info.

Allison, THANK YOU for the offer of the stove, but, darn, it was too late. I had already gone and bought the Vargo cannister stove here on BPL.com so I'd have a chance to test it on a short trip last weekend. But then it arrived a day after we got back :-).

And everyone else, again, thanks!

All best,
Robert

> the Vargo cannister stove
Good stove.
Same production line as the benchmark SnowPeak GST100.

Cheers

Robert
I have had excellent results with the Outer Limits canisters, using a 75/25 mix. They're about $1 canister cheaper than Kovea, and can generally be found in Snowgum shops in the main cities. Al the outdoors shops tend to be clustered together so no worries.

Follow up.

If you're in NZ, and you need gear, GO TO BIVOUAC.

Without fail, in every one I went into, in three (four?) different towns, I had what is very possibly the best customer service and shopping experience I have ever had, anywhere in the world. And yes, they have top quality gear.

What modest test did they pass? I had a problem they did _NOT_ cause, and store staff in two separate towns collaboratively helped me to completely resolve the issue before leaving the country. AND, best of all, the day before I left NZ, they sold me two nice little ice breaker beanies for only like NZ$15 each, on sale. Wow.

> Outer Limits canisters, using a 75/25 mix. They're about $1 canister cheaper than Kovea,

I strongly suspect they are cheaper because they are not as good in the cold. They sound like 75% n-butane/25% propane. Good for warm weather and tourist activities.

The Kovea ones are 30% isobutane/70% propane: one of the finest cold-weather mixes available.

Cheers

>Without fail, in every one I went into, in three (four?) different towns, I had what is very possibly the best customer service and shopping experience I have ever had, anywhere in the world. And yes, they have top quality gear.

Bivouac are nice stores, but I have to take issue with 'top quality gear'. Sadly they and the rest of NZ are missing many good international brands. To name a few:
– Patagonia
– Integral Designs
– Montbell
– Western Mountaineering
– Golite
– Cloudveil
– Sierra Designs
– Rab

Many other good brands only have limited presence with just bits of their range available (Mountain Hardware, Snowpeak, Marmot, Lowe, Montrail). And I've just been trying to track down a new pair of Inov8 Terroc 330s, they seem to have evaporated from the entire country as well.

It's a pity but other than icebreaker and gas canisters I think nearly all of my gear is now bought online from the US. I guess it's just the size of the market? I'd much prefer to save airfuel and be able to see gear before I buy it, but try putting together a good set of gear without using any of the above brands.