The Department of Conservation has offered a compromise over parking fees at Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks after strong objections from locals.

Twelve free parks opposite the new Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre on State Highway 6 were removed in June by the New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi, leaving DOC’s car park as the only option for motorists.

The pricing strategy released by DOC for its paid parking trial starting next month, sets the fee at $5 an hour.

But Punakaiki locals will be allowed to park free of charge for 20 minutes, giving them time to pick up a coffee or their mail. And all Buller and Grey residents will be able to buy a $10 permit giving them unlimited parking for a year.

Concessionaires such as bus companies who already pay fees to operate on conservation land, will not have to pay for the time being.

DOC will hold drop-in sessions at Punakaiki this month to seek feedback on the proposed parking fees. Read the full story from The Press.

Dyneema unveils new super-strong fabric

Dyneema, the incredibly light and strong fabric used in many ultralight packs and tents, has unveiled a long-awaited woven fabric. The new release, called Dyneema Woven Composites, is designed for use in bags and packs.

It also marks a clear response to upstart fabrics like Ultraweave and Graflyte, which have emerged as new favourites for ultralight brands in the 10 years since Dyneema last introduced a new textile. 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear is the first brand putting the new fabric to use in three updated packs, available this month.

Dyneema, once called cuben fibre, has been a mainstay in the ultralight gear industry for decades. The plastic that creates it, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), is celebrated for its impressive strength-to-weight ratio. 

In recent years, Dyneema has lost its monopoly over the outdoor gear industry. Other UHMWPE fabrics, like Ultraweave from Challenge Outdoor and ALUULA Composites’ Graflyte, have supplanted Dyneema as the pack fabric du jour, thanks to woven structures that boost strength and durability.

Although it’s still to be seen how DWC compares to Ultra and Graflyte after long-term testing, it’s an obvious upgrade for Hyperlite packs. Read the full story from Backpacker.

Man survives on 9 days on pond water in Canadian wilderness

A man missing for more than a week in the vast wilderness of British Columbia has been found after etching the word “help” on a rock and drawing “SOS” in the mud.

Andrew Barber was rescued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on 8 August – nine days after the 39-year-old was reported missing – after a helicopter spotted his truck on a forest road, which helped narrow the search.

Police say he was severely dehydrated and had a leg injury but used a number of tactics to survive, including building a shelter and drinking pond water.

He was reported missing on 31 July near McLeese Lake, 587km north of Vancouver, where his truck had broken down.

A police helicopter spotted Mr Garber near his makeshift shelter on Friday after catching a glimpse of the truck. Mr Barber “munched on whatever he could find” while he was in the woods. Read the full story from the BBC.

Stunning bridge reconnects St James Cycle Trail

Cyclists can once again ride the full St James Cycle Trail loop, near Hanmer Springs, with the opening of a new bridge across the Waiau Uwha River.

The 68m bridge replaces the old McArthur Bridge, which was removed after it was severely damaged by rockfall in 2021.

While the 64km Great Ride cycle trail has remained open, it hasn’t been able to be ridden as a full loop without the bridge, as it spans a gorge and the river is unsafe to cross.

Department of Conservation North Canterbury operations manager Leeann Ellis says having the new bridge open for summer will increase tourism and visitor opportunities.

“Cyclists, trampers and hunters now have safe, all-weather access across the upper Waiau Uwha to make full use of the St James Conservation Area and beyond.

The St James Cycle Trail offers challenging riding through stunning scenery of mountain peaks, high country lakes, alpine meadows and beech forest. It’s best suited for fit, experienced mountain bikers, who can complete the trail in one long (6–9 hour) day or a two-day trip, stopping overnight in campsites or one of three huts. Read the full story from Wilderness.

Does this North American destination give New Zealand a run for its money?

Every Kiwi grows up knowing one thing: we live in God’s zone. Aotearoa’s natural beauty is part of our cultural DNA. But Annabelle White, writing for Stuff, is claiming Alaska offers a wilderness experience that rivals anything here in NZ.

Alaska, the largest US state, is a land of staggering natural drama. Alaska accounts for 30% of the USA’s wilderness, over 100,000 glaciers and is home to 17 of North America’s 20 tallest mountains, including Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) at 6190m.

And there’s wildlife too. Bald eagles soaring overhead, pods of orcas cruising alongside the ship, and sea lions lounging on floating ice

According to Annabelle, she knows what untouched, majestic scenery looks like. But Alaska offered something else. It was not just beautiful. It was vast, wild, and profoundly remote. Read the full story from Stuff.

Fees to visit sub-Antarctic islands to increase

The cost of visiting the sub-Antarctic islands is expected to increase significantly, as the Department of Conservation proposes hiking its fees for the first time in a decade. About 1500 tourists visit the islands each year – most of them sailing with one of the six cruise operators who hold permits.

Documents released under the Official Information Act revealed the Visitor Impact Management fee could more than double from $405 (excluding GST) per tourist to just over $1000 by the 2027/28 season.

The concession activity fee would also jump from $30 per person to $171 – a more than five-fold increase. A long-time tourism operator said the increase and timeframe came as a shock.

While operators had been advised of the review in September 2024 – and therefore could have made provisions – it said they may be surprised as “they can’t reasonably have predicted the extent of change”.

Commercial director of Heritage Expeditions Aaron Russ said the sharpness of the increase was unexpected and he was disappointed that there hadn’t been more consultation beforehand. Read the full story from RNZ.

$4121 raised for Backcountry Trust

Shane Riley and his partner Vicky from Taupiri are the winners of an entry to the sold-out 2026 Kathmandu Coast to Coast. They were the successful bidders on the Trademe auction, where $4121 was donated to the Backcountry Trust.

“We want to thank the countless volunteers who give their time for the trust, and the sponsors who help fund their work,” Riley said. “People who do what they can for organisations like the trust truly are the best of us.” 

The Coast to Coast organisers wanted to support the BCT through this auction because the trust has been involved in upgrading Deception Hut on Goat Pass, which competitors pass.

“We have followed the BCT’s work for a while,” Riley said. “Their dedication to maintaining huts and tracks in some seriously remote places is incredible. You don’t realise how essential it is until you’re out there, soaked to the bone, and grateful for a sturdy roof over your head.”

Read the full story from Wilderness.