New hut for Kaimai Range
A new 12-bunk hut will be built in Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park this summer as part of a project to build four huts over the next four years. The project is...
George Driver
Great Walk price hike for tourists
Updated below with comments from Federated Mountain Clubs. The cost of doing the most popular Great Walks will double for international tourists if National is re-elected next month. Prime Minister...
Iwi propose Tarawera Great Walk
Mt Tarawera destroyed New Zealand’s biggest tourist attraction when it blew in 1886, obliterating the Pink and White Terraces. Now a local iwi is hoping a new multi-day walk to...
Great Walk construction underway
Construction of the next Great Walk is underway in Paparoa National Park and is expected to open in April 2019. The $10 million, 55km Paparoa Track goes from Blackball to...
Taking a stand one step at a time
A disease smaller than a pinhead is bringing down the oldest, largest trees of the forest and it is being spread by the very people who should value and respect...
Angelus Hut
2017 Outdoor Awards, Outdoor Awards
Hut of the Year Sitting on tussock 1650m up the Travers Range and overlooking Lake Angelus, it’s little wonder this year’s Hut of the Year is also the most popular...
Geoff Spearpoint
2017 Outdoor Awards, Outdoor Awards
Outdoor Hero of the Year A high school excursion with friends to Cone Hut in Tararua Forest Park first sparked Geoff Spearpoint’s passion for backcountry huts and cemented his love...
Gearshop
2017 Outdoor Awards, Outdoor Awards
Online Retailer of the Year After closing a brick-and-mortar outdoor store and moving online four years ago, Gearshop owner Hamish Pirie says he would never look back. Pirie started working...
Bivouac Outdoor
2017 Outdoor Awards, Outdoor Awards
Chain Retailer of the Year A PHD in radioactive isotopes isn’t the standard route to a career in the outdoors, but for Bivouac Outdoor chief executive Wayne Martin, it provided...
Living Simply
2017 Outdoor Awards, Outdoor Awards
Independent retailer of the year Still going strong in an industry dominated by big-box retail, Living Simply managing director Ben Sinclair says having nearly 30 years of experience has been...
Earth Sea Sky
2017 Outdoor Awards, Outdoor Awards
Brand of the Year With five generations of manufacturing experience, the Ellis family’s products have been on expeditions that have become part of the fabric of Kiwi exploration, including Sir...
The battle above the treeline
Invasive weeds are muscling their way into alpine areas as the climate warms, establishing in the high country at twice the speed of natives, according to a recent study. Above...
An underground odyssey
Self-taught photographer and caver Neil Silverwood has become a go-to man for capturing wild places on camera. It’s dark, wet, cold, claustrophobic – unsurprisingly, Neil Silverwood says he became frustrated...
Correcting a deadly wrong turn
After two people died on a popular alpine day walk in Fiordland, DOC is grappling with how to make the route safer. The car park for the Gertrude Saddle Track,...
Calling council's bluff
The landmark sign at Bluff, signalling the end of the Te Araroa Trail, will be corrected, after Wilderness reader Earle Hasse found the Cape Reinga and Wellington signs pointed in...
Blue Lake threatened by popularity
The water quality of one of the world’s most pristine lakes is under threat from an increase in the number of visitors. NIWA testing has found the water clarity at...
An extra 19 Great Walks announced
The number of Great Walks has more than doubled after DOC announced 14 Great Short Walks and five Great Day Walks. Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said the list included world...
Bookings for popular Aspiring huts
Trampers heading to two popular huts in Mount Aspiring National Park will have to book their bunk this summer, as DOC moves to manage growing numbers in the park. Brewster...
Parking ban for Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Major changes are coming to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (TAC), as DOC ends all-day parking at the start of the crossing and discourages walkers from climbing the Ngauruhoe and Tongariro...
Backlash over bookable huts
The Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) has criticised DOC for failing to consult on adding Brewster and Siberia huts to its booking system, saying the decision goes against the egalitarian ethos...
New Canterbury hut opening this summer
A new six-bunk hut is set to open in North Canterbury this summer, to bolster the growing popularity of the Te Araroa Trail route. The standard hut will replace the...
Environment watchdog bows out
After a decade at the forefront of some of New Zealand’s fiercest debates, Dr Jan Wright steps down from the role of Environment Commissioner today. During her two terms, Wright...
Call for information for guidebook update
The authors of the Canterbury-Westland Alps Guidebook are calling for information ahead of a second edition, set to be published next year. The guidebook details the mountains between Aoraki Mt...
Land purchase links national park
Abel Tasman and Kahurangi national parks have been linked after a 169ha block of land was purchased by the Nature Heritage Fund for $275,000. The land will be added to...
1080 drop in Matukituki Valley
DOC is conducting a 1080 drop in the Matukituki Valley in Mt Aspiring National Park this month as part of the Battle for our Birds programme. A ‘pre-feed’ drop of...
Fractured landscape
Looking at Murchison Hut, you’d have no inkling it may soon tumble 200m onto Murchison Glacier in one of the largest landslides in the Southern Alps’ recent history. But, by...
Crowd Control
New Zealand is grappling with a rapidly rising number of tourists, but we haven’t reached the crest of the wave yet. DOC expects the number of national park visitors to...
Sifting through the facts
From 1080 to climate change, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright has been at the centre of some of New Zealand’s fiercest debates. She talked to George Driver...
Revolutionary plan for Te Urewera
In a new management plan for Te Urewera, the land comes first. A new plan for the former Te Urewera National Park has been lauded as a world first for...
Suggest a Great Walk
DOC is calling for ideas for two new Great Walks, which it hopes to develop before the summer of 2021. The department has $12.7 million to develop the walks in...
Te Araroa Trail changes hit iconic stall
The Te Araroa Trail has been re-routed this season to reduce the amount of walking on busy roads in the King Country, but it may come at the cost of...
Bad hut behaviour ‘unacceptable’
DOC says ‘obnoxious hut behaviour’ will not be tolerated after a group of jetboaters were allegedly drunk, noisy and rude to other trampers at Lake Alabaster Hut on the Hollyford...
Jetboaters’ victim speaks out
More instances of drunk and abusive jetboaters in the Hollyford Valley have surfaced after DOC issued a statement saying obnoxious hut behaviour will not be tolerated. DOC put out the...
Kiwi heads on groundbreaking polar expedition
Kiwi mountaineer Mark Sedon has embarked on a groundbreaking Antarctic expedition, where he will kite-ski across the frozen continent and scale an unclimbed face of a granite colossus. Sedon is...
Greening DOC
Conservation Minister and Green Party MP Eugenie Sage says DOC has been neglected and conservation needs to be at the forefront of what the department does. What will your priority...
Limiting appeal
Parking restrictions on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing could be just the beginning. Plans to limit the number of people walking this and other popular trails around the country are in...
Flying high
On a rainy Sunday afternoon on a mudflat on the Firth of Thames, a small wooden shed is filled with people, eyes glued to binoculars, brows furrowed in deep concentration....
A new dimension
An artist who turns topo maps into 3D sculpture. Many a tramper has admired the squiggly, fingerprint-like patterns and undulations while poring over a topo map, but a Wellingtonian has...
A life on the ice
Al Fastier has spent a decade restoring historic huts in Antarctica, built by pioneering explorers including Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott. If you love working in isolated places, you...
Safety measures coming to Ben Lomond
The Ben Lomond Track is an idyllic day walk from the centre of Queenstown, but it’s also responsible for nearly half of all search and rescue operations in the Wakatipu...
Keeping tabs on Bird of the Year
A kea conservation group has launched a new project calling on trampers to help halt the decline of the world’s only mountain parrot. The Arthur’s Pass Kea Team has created...
Bringing back the birds
After becoming struck by the growing quiet of Fiordland’s forest, an Auckland tramper has launched a project to bring back the birdsong. Michael Fisk, a regular to Fiordland, wants to...
Powell Hut expansion planned
The busiest hut in the Tararua Forest Park will be out of action this summer as DOC builds a new and expanded $300,000 facility. Powell Hut is being rebuilt after...
Woman believed missing near Kaimai Range track
Police are appealing for information from anyone who has walked the Lindemann Loop Track in the Kaimai Range after a woman went missing in the area. Police and Search and...
Book-a-bunk system becomes permanent
Two popular huts in Ruahine Forest Park have been added to DOC’s booking system, but Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) is critical of the move, saying it creates a “nasty tension”...
Myrtle rust found in Auckland
The lethal fungus myrtle rust that attacks iconic New Zealand trees such as pohutukawa and manuka has been found in the Auckland region for the first time. The Ministry for...
Conservationists call for Waitakere Ranges closure
A coalition of conservation groups is calling on people to stay out of the Waitakere Ranges to prevent the rampant spread of kauri dieback disease. The disease is spread via...
Major track closures for Waitakere Ranges
The Waitakere Ranges will remain open, but multiple tracks will be closed after Auckland Council voted on a range of options to prevent the spread of kauri dieback in the...
More track closures for Waitakere Ranges
More than 30 tracks in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park have now closed and more are set to follow as Auckland Council steps up efforts to prevent the spread of...
Father and son missing in Te Urewera
A search and rescue operation is underway in Te Urewera after a father and son failed to return from a seven day tramp. Police want anyone who has been in...
The last wilderness
Like a Noah’s Ark of New Zealand wildlife, Hauturu/Little Barrier Island has one of the most intact and diverse ecosystems anywhere in the country. George Driver visited New Zealand’s first...
Tales from the trailblazers
With more than 120 years combined experience, few people know the backcountry better than these three veteran rangers. They give a behind-the-scenes look at the development and evolution of the...
Mission through Middle Earth
Actor Bruce Hopkins is walking the Te Araroa Trail with the ashes of his father and brother. He discusses his journey with George Driver. Bruce Hopkins, who played the character...
A different kettle of fish
With the Te Araroa Trail’s popularity growing, Anthony Behrens created an alternative route well off the beaten track. Anthony Behrens walked the South Island section of the Te Araroa trail with...
Fire and ice shape Ruapehu's past
Striking rock formations found on the Round the Mountain Track on Mt Ruapehu were created when lava erupted onto extensive glaciers on the volcano during the last ice age, according...
New regional park for Auckland
A new regional park is being developed north of Auckland, which could feature new walking tracks and a campground. Auckland Council is consulting on a management plan for Te Arai...
New era for Egmont National Park
Following in the footsteps of Te Urewera and Whanganui River, Egmont National Park is set to become a legal personality, jointly managed by iwi and the Crown. The national park...
More rangers this summer
There will be more DOC rangers on the beat at popular holiday tracks, huts and campgrounds this summer, as the department spends an extra $2 million on frontline staff. DOC...
Keep up with Wilderness on Facebook
Facebook is changing what posts you will see in your news feed, prioritising posts from friends and family over those from news sites like Wilderness magazine. If you’d like to...
Demystifying PLBs
The benefits of taking a personal locator beacon (PLB) out on the trail are well known, but what’s the best way to use it? Wilderness asked the Rescue Coordination Centre...
First section of new Great Walk opening this year
The first section of the Paparoa Track Great Walk is set to open later this year, as workers strive to complete the track by April 2019. Construction of the $10...
New motel building proposed for Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
A 2500㎡ development including a new motel building has been proposed in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Grand Properties Limited has applied for a 50 year concession to expand its Aoraki...
From the wilderness, with love
Walking side by side at an incredible location, gazing into a campfire under the stars – it’s probably not surprising that many relationships originate in the backcountry. For Wynne Morgan...
Rust never sleeps
The fate of the North Island’s forests is in limbo as myrtle rust begins to take hold. Some warn it could cause sensitive ecosystems to collapse. In autumn last year,...
Prison partnership for Predator Free 2050
Prisoners and people serving community service sentences are helping New Zealand reach Predator Free 2050 in a partnership between DOC and the Department of Corrections. The two departments have been...
Te Araroa under pressure in Tararuas
The Wellington branch of the Te Araroa Trust is concerned for the safety of TA walkers heading through the Tararua Ranges and is calling for upgrades to huts and tracks....
Bridge closed on Dart Track
DOC is reminding people to be careful crossing streams on the Dart Track after a bridge on the track was damaged about a month ago. The bridge crossed Spaniard Creek...
30 contenders for next Great Walks
DOC has released a list of 30 options for the next two Great Walks it plans to build by 2021. In total, 20 of the proposed walks are in the...
Dome Shelter’s days are numbered
Dome Shelter, near the summit of Mt Ruapehu, is being removed this month as DOC says the building is no longer needed. The shed was originally built as a shelter,...
Farmer trespasses Te Araroa walkers
A fed-up Southland farmer has trespassed two Te Araroa Trail walkers after becoming increasingly frustrated with walkers going off trail, leaving gates open and even breaking into a private hut....
Council votes to close Waitakere Ranges
The Waitakere Ranges will be closed by May, as Auckland Council voted to to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. All high risk tracks in the dieback-free Hunua Ranges...
First aid saves lives
George Driver attends an outdoor first aid course to learn what to do when everything goes wrong We could hear the screams through the bush before we arrived at the scene....
The biggest adventure
Hawea-based adventurer Mark Sedon says completing a groundbreaking expedition through Antarctica in January was one of the hardest trips of his life. Hunkered down on the Antarctic Plateau, thousands of kilometres from...
Most clubs respect rahui
The majority of Auckland tramping clubs have decided to stay out of the Waitakere Ranges after local iwi Te Kawerau a Maki placed a rahui on the forest to prevent...
Lady Bowen Falls Track reopens
The track to Lady Bowen Falls in Milford Sound has reopened for the first time in more than 15 years, but walkers will now have to pay to get to...
Powell Hut rebuild delayed
The rebuild of Powell Hut in Tararua Forest Park has been delayed, but DOC has revealed early plans for an expanded, modernised facility. The hut was initially scheduled to be...
Not so ‘great’ walks
DOC has removed the ‘Great’ branding from its promotion of a series of shorter walks which were launched last year. Last September, in the midst of the election campaign, the...
Hut gets makeover for 50th
An isolated hut in North Canterbury got a new lick of paint for its 50th birthday, thanks to volunteers from the Canterbury Alpine Club and DOC. DOC visitor facilities ranger...
Macpac sold for $144 million
Outdoor retail brand Macpac has been bought by Australian retail group Super Retail for $144 million this week. Super Retail, which also owns Supercheap Auto, plans to combine Macpac with...
Rees-Dart Circuit closed
Just a year after it reopened, the Rees-Dart Circuit is again closed after heavy rain damaged a bridge earlier this month. Senior DOC ranger Richard Kennett said about four metres...
Macpac plans expansion under new owners
Macpac says it plans to significantly expand its product range and retail footprint under its new owners. This week it was announced the business will be acquired by Australian retail...
Milford Sound future under microscope
As Milford Sound experiences record growth, a group has formed to look at how the poster child of NZ tourism will cope. The number of people visiting Milford Sound has...
The Waitakere walks that could remain open
A small selection of tracks in the Waitakere Ranges may be spared from closure, as Auckland Council calls for feedback on its plan to close all forested areas of the...
‘Luckiest man in NZ’ rescued in chance encounter
A tramper with a suspected broken leg has been rescued in a serendipitous turn of events after another tramper nearby set-off a personal locator beacon (PLB) in an unrelated incident....
National parks policy review put on hold
A review of the policy for how national parks are managed has been abandoned, at least for now. In August last year, the Conservation Authority, which governs the management of...
The trauma of rescue
Search and rescue volunteers witness some of the most horrific events in the New Zealand wilderness. Sometimes they are left with lasting scars. George Driver investigates how they cope with the psychological strain of the...
Making short work of Great Walks
A young tramper set her sights on walking all nine Great Walks, finally finishing them this year at the ripe old age of 11. Most people don’t tick off a...
Complaints lodged about gear website
Complaints have been laid about an outdoor gear website, after shoppers have been left frustrated and out of pocket. A number of people who have ordered gear from the aorangimethven.co.nz...
DOC sting catches illegal operators
A sting on tour businesses operating without a concession in Milford Sound has found up to a third were operating illegally. DOC Te Anau operations manager Greg Lind said they...
Huts are full
If you live in New Zealand’s biggest city and want to do a weekend tramp at a bookable hut close by, you are going to have to wait a while....
Public access under pressure in high country
A number of farmers and landowners in the South Island high country are considering blocking access to popular tracks on their land as the number of walkers, and waste, balloons....
Waitakere Ranges track closures confirmed
The Waitakere Ranges will be closed next month, but 34 tracks will be kept open after Auckland Council finally decided the fate of the forest. Eight tracks will also close...
Long path for new Te Araroa CEO
As the Te Araroa Trail enters its seventh year, the trust that administers it has appointed a new CEO. Mark Weatherall, the former head of Canoe Racing NZ, discusses the challenges the trail faces and...
Backcountry meltdown
After ploughing through the South Pacific, Cyclone Fehi snaked its way towards the top of the South Island. It hit during a king tide. The normally sheltered bays of Abel...
The Insta-goldrush
Just over three years ago, Rachel Stewart’s photography repertoire consisted of taking photos on the beach near her home in Mt Maunganui. But after upgrading her camera kit and experimenting...
Behind the summer chorus
An insatiable curiosity about the chorus of the cicada has led one 10-year-old to write a book on the noisy critters. During the height of summer, they dominate the outdoors –...
Ultimate family hike
An Auckland family who had never tramped before used the school holidays as the perfect excuse to hit the trail – the Te Araroa Trail that is. For seasoned trampers, the...
Rise of the drones
The buzzing sound of drones is becoming increasingly common in national parks, but is it legal to fly them there? As more drones are being flown in the backcountry, DOC is grappling with...
New southern tracks underway
Several new trails are under construction in the South Island. Here’s a snapshot of three of the projects. The Lake 2 Lake Trail A new track linking Lake Te Anau...
Dirty boots in Waitakeres could mean a prison sentence
All of the major tracks in the Waitakere Ranges are now closed and trampers who break the rules face hefty fines and a prison sentence. Just 23 tracks remain open...
School holiday photo competition winners
Congratulations Kelsey Ngapo and Alison Cook, who are the winners of the Wilderness school holiday photo competition. Ngapo and Cook have each won a Petzl Tikkid headlamp, valued at $59.90....
Concern at huts and tracks in untouched wilderness
Huts, tracks, traps and a full-time team of fluro-clad rangers will be stationed in a wilderness area on the West Coast, which is meant to be free from any sign...
Major funding boost for DOC
DOC has received the biggest funding boost in 16 years in the just-released government budget, but those hoping for more funding for huts and tracks will be disappointed. DOC will...
Ranger life
After being raised in national parks in the US, Crystal Brindle seemed destined to become a park ranger. Now working as a DOC ranger, she talks park life in the US versus...
A novel collection
In a historic building near Oamaru harbour sits what must be the greatest collection of adventure books in the country. Bill Nye opened Adventure Books six years ago after a...
Armchair adventures
It’s always a good time to launch an armchair expedition and travel through the pages of a classic adventure tale. Six adventurers share the book that inspires them into the wilderness. The...
Calls for regulations on the TAC
Shuttle operators are calling on DOC to close the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or stop shuttles running during bad weather after a spate of rescues on the popular track. At least...
Future of Te Anau rescue helicopter service in doubt
Search and rescue helicopter services in Taupo and Rotorua have been saved from the chopping block, but the fate of the service in Te Anau is still in jeopardy. Proposed...
Intensive care for Everest fundraiser
A Taranaki woman spent three days in intensive care in Kathmandu after being flown from near Everest Base Camp while attempting the trek as part of a fundraiser. Rose Watemburg,...
New shared trails approved for Tongariro
E-bikes will soon be whirring along new shared-use tracks in Tongariro National Park after the Conservation Authority approved a change to the park plan. Amendments made to the park plan...
Police warn trampers using cellphones to navigate
Police are warning trampers of the dangers of using their cellphones for navigation after four people were rescued from the Kaimai Ranges on Saturday, May 19. The group became lost...
Massive growth in national park visitors
Nearly a million people are exploring New Zealand’s busiest tramping spots each year as more people head to our national parks than ever before. DOC has just released visitor figures...
The best treats for the trail
When out in the hills, having a little something to give you a boost can mean the difference between a happy hike, or a long slog to the hut. Light...
Myrtle rust found in the Kaimai Ranges
Killer fungus myrtle rust has been found in the Kaimai Ranges for the first time, while tracks closed to prevent the spread of the disease near Raglan are expected to...
Funding to make Taranaki predator free
A predator free Taranaki could soon be a reality, as a $47m plan to eradicate pests in the region over the next five years has been unveiled. The plan is...
More track closures coming
More widespread track closures to prevent the spread of kauri dieback are expected, as DOC has proposed to close or partially close 45 tracks in a bid to eliminate the...
Kiwi? Prove it for cheaper Great Walks access
Kiwis heading on a Great Walk this summer may have to take their wallet to prove their nationality after the Government moves to hike fees for international visitors. Overseas tourists...
Great Walk contenders announced
DOC has released seven contenders for the next Great Walk, but it might only be able to afford to build one new walk, not two. Last year DOC got $12.7m...
Appeal to stop rubbish rescues
The Rescue Coordination Centre NZ is calling on people to dispose of their PLBs correctly and take extra care when carrying or testing their beacons, as the service had 282...
PLB changes aim to boost registrations
RCCNZ is launching a new registration system for personal locator beacons in a bid to make registering easier and to provide more information for search and rescue services. The new...
Great Walk bookings open
DOC has launched its new online booking system ahead of the Great Walks opening for bookings on June 12. Bookings for the 2018/19 season on the nine Great Walks will...
Five great tramping hacks
From fixing broken gear to making a cup of coffee, tramping has no shortage of conundrums. Here are five simple and creative solutions to make your next tramp a little...
Have your say on dieback track closures
DOC has released a list of 35 tracks that it is proposing to close, or partially close, throughout the upper North Island and is calling for feedback. In total, 23...
Staying alive
Skills, Wild Survival, Survival Skills
The top tips for avoiding a tramping tragedy Know your limits: Inexperience is one of the biggest killers. Slowly build your experience and seek advice from those who know more than you. River crossing: Learn the correct...
Dying to tramp
After a busy day at work in Christchurch, Erik Monasterio headed to a favourite rock climbing haunt in the Port Hills. He chose a climb he had done 20 times...
A life Aspiring
From dealing with New Zealand’s most dangerous criminals to rescuing trampers in one of the country’s most treacherous national parks, Aaron Nicholson’s 30-year career in the police has been one...
Warnings for future of high country tracks
Privatising tracks, withdrawing access or capping tourist numbers are all being put forward as solutions to a growing infrastructure deficit at high country tramping spots. Rising above the shore of...
Gear website shutdown
Underfire online tramping retailer Aorangi Methven has been shut down following a number of complaints. There had been multiple reports of people buying top-of-the-line gear from the website, only to receive...
DOC investigates giving Kiwis first dibs
New Zealanders could get first dibs on booking a bunk on the Great Walks, as DOC investigates a preferential booking system. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage has asked the department to investigate...
Call for funding to save Dusky huts
A project to restore huts on the Dusky Track is underway and the Backcountry Trust is appealing to the public for funding to ensure the future of the iconic tramp....
Top NZ adventure writers recognised
The winners of the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival book awards have been announced ahead of the festival, which kicks of in Wanaka on Friday, June 29. The grand...
DOC ends overnight parking in Tongariro hub
DOC is encouraging trampers to take shuttles to Tongariro National Park, as it cuts back on long-term parking in Whakapapa Village to free up spaces for day-visitors. There will be...
Private luxury lodge proposed for Fiordland National Park
A proposal to build a high-end eco-lodge in Fiordland National Park risks setting a precedent that could see more public land privatised, according to Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC). Tourism company...
View from the top
For over 30 years, Conrad Anker has been one of the world’s leading climbers, pioneering numerous first ascents. After 30 years of climbing, have the reasons you climb changed? When...
Where the adventure begins
It’s a dead-end for vehicles, but for trampers it’s just the beginning. Few towns boast such rich country for exploration: the Routeburn Track Great Walk, the Rees-Dart, Greenstone-Caples, Cascade Saddle...
White-out in Greenland
For 29 days, Hollie Woodhouse skied across the Greenland ice sheet, skirting the Arctic Circle and retracing the footsteps of a pioneering explorer. She told George Driver it was the...
Grazers urged to moo-ve on
There are growing calls to stop cattle grazing on conservation land after a groundswell of opposition to an application in the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. A braided river, towering...
Kauri closures NZ’s biggest access issue
There are growing calls to build more tracks in the upper North Island to provide kauri-free alternatives in order to save the species from extinction. The Walking Access Commission, NZ...
Encouraging trampers to ‘Hike like a woman’
A global movement which aims to encourage women to get into tramping has started a branch in New Zealand that has proved popular with Kiwis. Hike Like a Woman started...
Pivotal moment for tramping’s future
Growing up in Central Otago, the Southern Alps were the first natural features that engendered a connection to the landscape in me and an urge to see more – the...
Powell Hut out of action for summer
Powell Hut in Tararua Forest Park could be closed all summer, as plans to rebuild the aging hut have again been delayed. The hut is the most popular in the...
Tramp to the remotest part of New Zealand
A software engineer has pinpointed the point farthest from civilisation in the country, but the question on every trampers’ mind is, ‘how do you get there?’ Auckland software engineer Hamish...
NZ walks feature in new Lonely Planet tramping guide
Three New Zealand tracks feature in Lonely Planet’s new book, Epic Hikes of the World. The book, which will be released in August, lists 50 tramping routes from 30 countries....
Retreat from the wilderness
In 1995, Charlie Paterson moved to remote Jamestown on the Hollyford Track where he lived in isolation for seven years. He’s just self-published a book, Out of the Wild, detailing...
Trapline tramping
Trampers around the country are heading off-track to help save native birds from the brink of extinction. George Driver discovers the tales of the trapline trampers. Rugged peaks, beech forest,...
Skiing the Sky Piercer
One of New Zealand’s top freeskiers has carved down the east face of the country’s highest mountain in what he has called the highlight of his career. The daring descent...
Rabbit Pass death a 'genuine accident'
An Alaskan tourist who fell to her death on the Rabbit Pass route in Mt Aspiring National Park was well prepared and experienced, the coroner has found. Nicole Leman died...
NZ could be possum-free by 2030
Recent developments in pest control mean possums could be eradicated from New Zealand by 2030, but ecologist Dr James Russell says it might not be a good idea just yet. ...
Learning what it means to be Kiwi
You can learn a lot in a backcountry hut. That’s what I thought while sitting around the dining table of Crosbies Hut, high up in the Coromandel Range. The candle-lit...
DOC criticised for Gertrude Saddle deaths
The death of a tourist who fell on the Gertrude Saddle route in Fiordland may have been prevented if DOC had not delayed installing warning signs, according to the coroner....
Three options announced for next Great Walk
DOC has narrowed the options for the next Great Walk to three: the Te Paki Coastal Track at Cape Reinga, the Hump Ridge Track in Southland and the Queen Charlotte...
Paparoa Track opening delayed
The opening date of the new Paparoa Track Great Walk has been delayed until September next year. The $10m track was scheduled to open in April 2019, but DOC said...
Park and ride proposed for Hooker Valley Track
DOC is proposing a park and ride system to help cope with the rapidly increasing number of walkers on the Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. The proposal...
Ruahine hut washed away
Diggers Hut in the Ruahine Range has been washed about 200m downstream after a slip diverted a stream through the hut site. Daniel McIntyre and Ben Pigott were heading to...
Tahr control labelled a ‘total failure’ and could cost millions
The Conservation Authority has labelled DOC’s management of tahr a total failure and says the government may be forced to invest millions to reduce numbers due to years of neglect....
In the shadow of greatness
1. Around the Mountain Circuit, Egmont National Park Circling what could be considered New Zealand’s most scenic volcano, this loop will give you a new perspective and appreciation of this monolithic peak. Going from...
Bright lights
Rakiura Track, Great Walks, Wild People
An aurora in the stars, albatross in the sky, seals on the beaches and kiwi on the trail – to see the best of the Rakiura Track, you need to...
Wintering over on the Kepler
Kepler Track, Great Walks, Wild People
Volunteering as a hut warden is a way to get a new perspective on the Great Walks. Winter is a time many avoid the avalanche-prone Kepler Track, but Wynston Cooper...
Working on the world's finest walk
Milford Track, Great Walks, Wild People
Spending half the year based on the Milford Track, Ross Harraway may have the finest job in the world. At 198cm tall and 75 years old, Ross Harraway is often...
Life on the Routeburn
Routeburn Track, Great Walks, Wild People
Keeping stoats in check and trampers on track is all part of the job for Routeburn ranger Evan Smith. Some trampers are content to do a Great Walk every few...
The great contest
A new era for the Great Walks looks in the making. DOC has $12.7m to develop one or two new Great Walks, and the three options being considered could all...
Camping the Great Walks
Camping, Features, Great Walks
There’s nothing quite like waking up after a sound sleep and unzipping the door of your tent to reveal a stunning view of the Routeburn Valley, or an idyllic beach...
The great classroom
Whanganui River Journey, Great Walks, Wild People
For generations, the Whanganui River has been both teacher and classroom for local iwi. When Ashley Patea was growing up on the banks of the Whanganui River at Kaiwhaiki, his...
‘Wild mums’ get back on track
A Motueka mum has started a tramping group for mothers, to help them get back on the trail while looking after young ones. Odette Singleton-Wards started Wild Mums Go Tramping...
Record season expected on Te Araroa Trail
As the popularity of the Te Araroa Trail continues to grow, the challenge of managing ‘New Zealand’s trail’ is becoming increasingly complex. About 1000 trampers are expected to start walking the 3000km Te...
Body found on Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The body of a 53-year-old man who went missing on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing yesterday has been found and a rahui has been put on the track for the next...
Consultation on Franz Josef gondola underway
Should a gondola be built beside Franz Josef Glacier? That’s the question DOC is asking the public, as consultation gets underway for a new management plan for Westland Tai Poutini...
Call for Kiwis to quiz tourists on tramping safety
Police and DOC are calling for Kiwis to grill tourists about their plans and preparedness following the death of a foreign tramper on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing last week. Taupo...
DOC closes 31 kauri tracks
DOC has announced it will permanently close 21 tracks and partially close a further 10 tracks to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. The closures follow consultation on closing...
Tongariro and Te Araroa among world’s most Instagrammed walks
Two New Zealand tramps are among the 10 most Instagrammed walks in the world, according to Lonely Planet. The travel guide has researched the walks with the most shares and...
DOC back-down on tahr control
DOC has backed down on its proposal to cull 17,000 tahr over the next 10 months after strong opposition from hunters, and has reduced the target by 7000. A recent...
Two DOC rangers killed in helicopter crash
DOC has confirmed that two DOC staff were killed in a helicopter crash in Wanaka this morning. The helicopter was on its way to undertake tahr control in the Haast...
Tramping for life
Neill Simpson’s first tramp changed his life. Arriving at Tongariro National Park on a Friday evening, the frosted landscape sparkled under the moonlight; Mt Ngauruhoe grumbled, belching out red-hot rocks...
The trials of the trail
“Nothing can ever prepare you,” says Julie Stacey. The 45-year-old walked the 3000km Te Araroa Trail last season. A former marathon runner, Stacey spent about five months training, running 5km...
Hut booking trial reveals rampant fee dodging
A recent online booking trial at Brewster Hut in Mt Aspiring National Park found at least half of hut users may have been dodging hut fees. Last summer, DOC trialled...
Bold ideas for Aoraki and Westland parks
New huts, tracks, a park and ride and a gondola are among the developments proposed for two iconic national parks. DOC is proposing a more hands-on approach to managing national...
New video details deadly Gertrude Saddle route
A new video gives trampers a step-by-step guide to safely completing the dangerous Gertrude Saddle route in Fiordland, which has been the site of multiple fatalities. The video, released by...
DOC reserve reopens in Waitakere Ranges
A major day walk has reopened in the Waitakere Ranges, making it the only significant bush walk that is open in the west. DOC has reopened all tracks in Goldie...
DOC mourns ‘conservation champions’
The two DOC rangers killed in a helicopter crash in Wanaka yesterday have been called conservation champions by DOC director general Lou Sanson. The rangers have been identified as Paul...
Taranaki and Ben Lomond tracks feature in video series
The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has released videos detailing the Mt Taranaki summit route and Ben Lomond Track in a bid to reduce search and rescues on the popular tramps....
How to safely climb Ben Lomond peak
The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has released a video detailing how to safely climb Ben Lomond in a bid to reduce search and rescues on the popular tramp. The video...
How to safely climb Mt Taranaki
The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has released a video detailing the Mt Taranaki summit route in a bid to reduce search and rescues on the popular tramp. The video gives...
Avalanche struck on milestone climb
Jo Morgan was two summits away from climbing all of New Zealand’s 3000m peaks when she was caught in an avalanche which killed her two guides. Morgan, wife of TOP...
Man arrested following 1080 threats
Police say the arrest of a 65-year-old man charged after threatening DOC staff sends a clear message to those who are issuing threats related to 1080. The man was arrested...
New hut opens on Quail Island
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Uncategorized
A new DOC hut has opened on Otamahua/Quail Island, enabling trampers to stay overnight and explore the 81ha pest-free reserve near Christchurch. Otamahua Hut was a 108-year-old caretakers cottage which...
DOC reject panel’s picks for next Great Walk
An independent panel tasked with picking the next Great Walk wanted new tracks up Mt Tarawera and through North Canterbury’s Molesworth Station to be in the running, but these options...
Sweeten up your next tramp
Food tastes better in the outdoors, so why skip the best meal of the day? Knowing you’ve got one of these five desserts in your pack will be all the...
The next tramping innovation
Two Australians who completed a South Island traverse using a lightweight scooter and a packraft believe they’ve have found the ultimate thru-hiking innovation. Could ‘scootouring’ be the next big thing?...
2019's best clothes for hiking
Whether you’re going on a short walk or a multi-day tramp, performance hiking clothing will make life more comfortable. Material Synthetic materials tend to dominate as they are lightweight and...
The groundbreakers
It started with a 130-year-old map showing a long lost miner’s road. The map, discovered by a Buller local, shows a route weaving through the rugged Lyell Range and forested...
The kea and the canine
Corey Mosen and his dog Ajax have been hunting kea in a bid to save the species. Camping out for days at a time and working in the bush with...
Are tramping tourists a liability?
Following another death of a tourist in the backcountry, the safety of tramping tourists is again in the spotlight. But are they any more likely than New Zealanders to come...
Luxury lodge proposed near Rees-Dart Track
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Access
A luxury lodge has been proposed 700m from the popular Rees-Dart Track, which could result in thousands more helicopter flights up the picturesque valley each year. A heliport has also...
Feeding kea tahr may prevent 1080 deaths
A new method has been developed to prevent kea being poisoned during 1080 operations by using the birds’ fondness for tahr meat. Kea are among the few native birds that...
DOC crackdown on illegal tourism operators
More than 1000 tourism operators are suspected of operating illegally without a concession or breaching concession conditions and 30 aircraft operators are being investigated following a DOC crackdown. The department...
DOC spending hundreds of thousands on controversial deer repellent
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Conservation
DOC is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a repellent to avoid killing deer in 1080 operations in a bid to appease hunting groups. It comes at a time...
Kathmandu Pegasus Hybrid
Used by: Cold-sleeping former deputy editor George DriverUsed for: Three yearsCost: $399.98 I bought the Pegasus when I was looking for a bag that was inexpensive, light and compact but...
Kiwi Camping Weka 3
Kiwi Camping Weka 3 $349Used by: George DriverUsed for: Two years I was looking for a tent that would be light enough to take tramping, but large enough to be...
Osprey Talon 44
Osprey Talon 44 $250Used by: Former deputy editor George ‘cram-it-in’ DriverUsed for: Three years The Talon is light, versatile and filled with numerous features, and at $175 on special, it...
Te Araroa hikers caught out by lockdown
Covid-19, Web exclusive, Te Araroa Trail
After the nation wide lockdown went into effect, some Te Araroa Trail walkers emerged from the bush to a very different New Zealand. Two Te Araroa Trail hikers walked 85km...
Huts won’t be re-opening soon
Huts will likely remain closed until New Zealand is at Alert Level One DOC has yet to make a decision on when huts and campsites could reopen, but has said...
Could the Covid recovery be a boon for the backcountry?
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
The backcountry could benefit from a major public spend-up to reduce unemployment with a number of conservation and track-building projects proposed. Last month, the government called for ideas for ‘shovel-ready’...
Stewardship land could be ‘open for business’
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones has said stewardship land will be open for business if New Zealand First is in a decision-making position after the election, RNZ reports....
Rescue package for Fiordland huts and tracks
The government will spend $13.7m repairing huts, tracks and other infrastructure in Fiordland damaged by a severe storm in February. The storm knocked out 79 tracks (a total of 440km),...
Paparoa Track Great Walk closes… again
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. A section of the new Paparoa Track Great Walk has closed...
Trail triumph for Te Araroa hikers
Web exclusive, Te Araroa Trail
A couple of Te Araroa Trail hikers have finally completed the 3000km walk after having to abandon the trail due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Becca Rolon, from the US, and...
A remarkable rescue
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. The successful rescue of two trampers lost for 18 days in...
Concessionaires request discounts from DOC
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Tourism business owners are calling for DOC to reduce or pause...
Great Walk mooted for Bay of Islands
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. A public trust has bought a 710ha coastal farm in Northland...
Taranaki Crossing funding under scrutiny
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Questions are being asked about the multi-million dollar track upgrades planned...
Brewster Glacier loses millions of tonnes of ice
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Brewster Glacier has lost an estimated 13 million cubic metres of...
New park proposed for West Coast
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Federated Mountain Clubs is campaigning for a ‘Wild Rivers Park’ on...
Landowner pulls access on Te Araroa Trail
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. A section of the Te Araroa Trail in Northland has been...
Can fitness tracking apps detect Covid-19?
The world outdoors, Web exclusive
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Outside magazine has published an article which looks at how fitness...
Five online maps to transform your next hike
These five online maps will change the way trips are planned and give a new perspective on your favourite tramps. 1. Tramp the world from your couch Fly along the...
Review: Black Diamond Cosmo
Black Diamond Cosmo $69.99Weight: 87gUsed by: Gear-pinching former deputy editor George DriverUsed for: Three years This is actually my girlfriend’s headlamp, but I like it so much I usually ‘borrow’...
Why your favourite tramping gear might not be available this Christmas
Unprecedented demand combined with production and freight delays means outdoor retailers are struggling to keep their shelves full. Outdoor gear retailers and distributors are advising trampers to buy their gear...
Wild dogs close Te Paki Coastal Track
The Te Paki Coastal Track is temporarily closed after packs of wild dogs have been seen marauding through the area. DOC closed the track on April 1 after it was...
DOC investigating hiking weekend hut fees
Trampers could be faced with higher fees to stay in a hut or campsite during the weekend and in peak season as DOC reviews its hut and campsite fees to...
Ahead of the pack
Aarn Tate can’t stop solving problems. Fortunately, when he started his career in the early 1970s there were a lot of problems to solve. For nearly 50 years, Tate has...
Through the heart of the Alps
Philip Green and Wendy Johnston have hiked through the Himalaya, mountain biked through Kyrgyzstan, climbed in the Pyrenees, tramped through the Bolivian Andes and summited Tititea/Mt Aspiring. But they say...
Deer numbers booming on conservation land
A plan is in the works to bring deer under control as they encroach into cities and farmland. The number of deer in the conservation estate is booming and DOC...
Hump Ridge prepares for ‘Great’ status
Upgrades to the country’s next Great Walk will get underway soon, but plans for a new hut on the Hump Ridge Track have been put on hold. The Southland track...
The great disappointment
This summer, two new Great Walks were meant to open, including one in the North Island, but instead it looks like we are getting some sections of track resurfaced and...
Health benefits of regular walking “irrefutable”
While many modes of exercise are beneficial, walking is considered the most accessible and cheapest way to get your daily dose. The Ministry of Health says regular walking can help reduce...
Walk with a purpose
Walking for a cause can help you stay motivated and increase the reward of cracking 1200km in 12 months. Here are four ways to walk 1200km with a purpose. Trapline...
How to stay on track
Walking 1200km in a year is a daunting goal, so how can you stay motivated to stay on track for 365 days? University of Otago senior PE lecturer Elaine Hargreaves...
A daily walk boosts your mood and your brain
Walking 40 minutes every day can have significant benefits for your mental health and brain power. Committing to walking 40 minutes every day can have significant benefits for your mental...
Do something special, Walk1200km
To celebrate Wilderness’s 30th anniversary, we wanted to do something special. Not just for you to read, but for you to do. Walk1200km is a unique challenge that we hope...
Review: Icebreaker Merino 175 Everyday Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top
Icebreaker Merino 175 Everyday Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top $109.99 Used by: Contributing editor George DriverUsed for: Six months In winter, base layers provide something of a second skin for me. Endowed with a scrawny...
The searchers
Barry Shepherd Taupo Police SAR, 36 years For 36 years, Barry Shepherd has been helping lost and injured trampers on the Central Plateau, one of the busiest search and rescue...
Putting the oi into Mt Karioi
A community project is ensuring a bright future for the grey-faced petrels of Mt Karioi. More than 350 volunteers are covering 120km of trap lines on Mt Karioi near Raglan,...
I’m doing it to rehabilitate
Earlier this year, Di Celliers and her husband both had surgery. They’re walking 1200km to get back on track this summer. Last year during lockdown, Di Celliers decided she was...
I’m doing it for fitness
Jenny Harris is walking 1200km to train for her first tramp. Jenny Harris has never been tramping, but starting Walk1200km is her first step. “I enjoy being out in nature,...
I’m doing it for my mental health
Chris Kemp is walking 1200km for his mental health. Since going through a major relationship breakup several years ago, Chris Kemp has discovered that walking is essential to his mental...
A mountain of an achievement
It started with a sensation, like pins and needles, down her right side. Then weakness, vision problems and difficulty breathing. By the time Katy Glenie had an MRI scan and...
I’m doing it to climb a mountain
Laurie Kinaston is training to summit Taranaki Maunga. When the country first went into lockdown in 2020, Taranaki school teacher Laurie Kinaston set herself a goal of walking 1000km by the...
I’m doing it to stay healthy
At 83 years old, Karen Palmer is one of the oldest Walk1200km participants. A former physician at Wellington Hospital, 83-year-old Karen Palmer should know a thing or two about staying...
I’m doing it for fitness
Before lockdown, Dianne Parker was going on multiday tramps every month. After being confined to Auckland during the lockdown, she says Walk1200km has been a saviour for her body...