A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.

The second-highest mountain on the North Island and its surrounding peaks have been granted legal personhood, becoming the country’s third natural feature to gain the same rights, duties and protections as individuals.

After a promise made in 2017, parliament unanimously voted in favour of a law on Thursday that would formally confer Taranaki, its companion peaks and surrounding environment the status of a legal person – to be named Te Kāhui Tupua. The area’s interests will be represented by a collection of appointees from both iwi and the crown.

It is also the first time the mountain – formally called Taranaki Mounga – will be solely referred to officially by its Māori name, laying to rest its former colonial name, Mount Egmont. The surrounding peaks and natural features will similarly revert to their original Māori names.

Hundreds of Taranaki iwi members travelled to the capital to witness the final reading of the bill, filling parliament’s public gallery and erupting into waiata on the bill’s passing. Taranaki becomes the third natural feature in New Zealand to be granted legal personhood. Read more from The Guardian.

More than 150 traps in Mount Aspiring National Park ‘tampered with’

More than 150 remote traps set to catch predators across a South Island national park have been “systematically tampered” with and disarmed, the Department of Conservation said. High-trapping lines between Dart Valley and the west Matukituki Valley were checked by volunteers and staff who found all 45 traps blocked off by “strategically placed” rocks.

Staff also found all the traps from Shelter Rock Hut to Dart Hut and down the Rees Valley had been triggered or also had rocks placed in front of their doors. DOC Whakatipu operations manager David Butt said it was “very concerning” that someone had made the effort to disarm more than 150 remote traps in total across two locations.

The person, or potentially several people, would have had to cover “challenging terrain and clambered through bush to find these traps and block them off so predators cannot enter.”

“The people who have done this to the traps will be responsible for an increase in the death of many individuals from our taonga species,” he said. Read more from One News.

Kiwi’s dominate inaugural MAGNIficent adventure race

The MAGNIficent Adventure Race made an unforgettable debut. Held from 22 January to 2 February 2025 in Southland, this race was the first Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) Qualifier of the year and tested teams on a gruelling 460km course. With a mix of trekking, mountain biking, pack rafting, and navigation, competitors faced the stunning yet unforgiving landscapes of New Zealand’s deep south.

Teams from nine countries took part with Kiwi teams securing the top eight positions. New Zealand’s Sardine Racing emerged victorious, completing the course in 4 days, 5 hours, and 45 minutes. The team described their experience as one of the most challenging yet rewarding races they had ever taken part in.

The MAGNIficent Adventure Race was brought to life by Andy and Jason Magness, both well-known adventure racers and event organisers. Following a hugely successful first edition, the MAGNIficent Adventure Race is set to return in 2026, with the planning already underway. Read more from SportzHub.

GODZONE to return to New Zealand’s adventure racing scene

Speaking of adventure races, One NZ GODZONE, is back on the sporting calendar after a two-year hiatus with the formation of the Pure Adventure Charitable Trust to host the eight-day event.

A group of high-profile sportspeople and past One NZ GODZONE competitors have instigated PACT which will be a registered charitable entity. This includes former All Black champion Richie McCaw, current New Zealand Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol, world champion adventure racer Sophie Hart, One NZ GODZONE race director Adam Fairmaid, triathlete Michele Frey, AWS Legal lawyer and representative rugby coach Damien Pine and Southland adventure racers Chris Stewart and David (Ginge) Burnett.

“Most of us have raced One NZ GODZONE and got so much out of the event on a personal and sporting level that we wanted to see it return to continue the legacy,” says Pure Adventure Charitable Trust spokesperson Rob Nichol.

Planning for the twelfth chapter of One NZ GODZONE is well underway, with PACT engaging with high-profile sponsors, regional councils and the Department of Conservation to support the event delivery. Read the full story from Scoop.

UK technical clothing and equipment brand OMM now available in NZ

OMM, named after the Original Mountain Marathon, is now available in New Zealand from retailer Further Faster.

OMM’s technical clothing and equipment are designed for use in extreme races. Their gear features waterproof stretch fabrics that they helped pioneer, race packs and vests, and attachments to add additional storage ‘pods’ to suit the race being run.

“We’re excited to work with OMM and bring their technical products to New Zealand’s outdoor community,” said Further Faster co-owner Julie-Anne Christy. OMM sales director, Charlotte Dover, said: “New Zealand’s rugged trails and challenging conditions are exactly what OMM gear is built to handle. Read the full story from Wilderness.

New art exhibit celebrates South Island’s avian treasures

An exhibition of new artworks by Anna Gibbs, titled South Island Songs, is on display at Christchurch’s Little River Gallery until February 24. The new works are a ‘heartfelt homage’ to the birdlife found in the South Island.

A celebrated artist and advocate, Gibbs’ work has received national acclaim, including the Premium Artist Award 2023 at Auckland’s Art in the Park exhibition for her piece titled Kākāpō in the Forest.

Gibbs’ signature style combines the process of gilding with Fairmined 24-carat gold leaf and oil paint glazing, a technique derived from the Dutch Masters and reinvented by the globally renowned New Zealand artist, Tim Wilson. The results are luminous portrayals of native birds.

“I hope my art not only celebrates the incredible beauty of our native birdlife but also inspires others to take action in protecting these irreplaceable species,” says Gibbs. “I have been working on this collection for over a year and cannot wait to share these 11 pieces.” Read more from Wilderness.