Letter of the month: The real cost of privatisation

I had been aware of ‘The Allure of Private Walks’ (November 2025), as I am an active tramper with colleagues and friends who struggle now to lug a full pack on a multiday trip but are fortunate enough to have the money to pay for private walks. I was not aware, however, of how much this private network of tracks has grown.

Your 14-page feature attempted to explain some other parts of the ‘allure’. You can visit coasts and hills otherwise out of bounds. City folk see modern farming up close. We can witness the conservation efforts of certain farmers. No food or bedding to be carried. Have a hot shower, wine or beer.  And while most of the private walks have eye-watering prices, we are told there are a few walks where the basic package is allegedly competitive with a Great Walk.

But the growth in private walks has occurred while the conservation estate, which is publicly owned, has been deliberately starved of funds by successive governments. Many native species are still at risk of extinction; pests are thriving in some areas. Water quality is still poor where there’s proximity to dairy farming. Hut and track maintenance has been   woeful in parts, even with lots of volunteers helping. 

Environmental protections are being lowered. The door to mining on or under conservation land is being opened. 

Meanwhile, a large percentage of the population works on low wages with precarious jobs and poor-quality housing. This majority already struggles to use the existing public backcountry system – and will be totally shut out of the private walks.

– Peter Rotherham

Peter receives three pairs of Norsewear Adventure Micro Crew merino socks worth $30/pair from www.norsewear.co.nz. Readers, send your letter to the editor for a chance to win.

A pilgrim’s tale

Regarding Tony Clearwater’s letter about setting up a ‘Kiwi pilgrimage’ (‘Pigeon post’, October 2025), I can recommend the book Pilgrimage Aotearoa: Haerenga Tapu Aotearoa. It is a guide to 100 New Zealand sites and has a chapter on creating your own pilgrimages, which may be of assistance to Tony.

– Dawn McKenzie

River safety poll

We polled newsletter subscribers on whether they have ever reached a river while tramping that was too dangerous to cross. More than 70% said yes, and some responses can serve as lessons for us all.

I once had to cross back over a river that was rising rapidly. We had crossed to search for a rare plant we had seen from the other bank, but by the time we had crossed and collected a piece for DNA sampling, the river had risen about 20cm. The team waiting for us called for us to get back without exploring further. It would have been a long walk out to the road bridge if we hadn’t moved fast, as you could see the level rising rapidly.

– Paula Warren

There was low visibility and a very fast-flowing river. As I was hiking solo I decided to have a hut day (Mangaturuturu), and had the best, cosiest, lovely relaxing day where, funnily enough, I read my first Wilderness and then subscribed! I now often have a hut day and love the peace, quiet and remoteness – highly recommend them! 

– Nikki Barnard

We had been monitoring the river level to decide if we would go. We waited for it to drop, but by the time we reached the crossing point the river had risen again. We spent some time assessing if it was safe to cross then decided to turn back, as it was running too high and swiftly. The kids weren’t pleased about having to tramp back out but understood that it was too dangerous for us to continue. We had to run/walk out in the dark with our headlamps on to get back to the car before the park gate was locked for the night. It was an (educational) adventure the kids will remember!

– Charlene Turei

On the Inland Pack Track at the junction of Fossil and Dilemma creeks, we noticed the water rising rapidly. Looking upstream, we saw a tsunami of water rushing towards us along Fossil Creek. We scrambled onto the bank and both rivers rose to the top of the bank (about 1.5m) in a few minutes. We set up camp, and the next day there was just a clear splashy trickle in Fossil Creek, less than ankle deep. 

– Janet Downs

A quiet place

Re ‘Ruaphu’s other side’ (November 2025), I have spent a week walking in Tongariro National Park. The Desert Road side was my cup of tea for sure: so different and no two-legged distractions to spoil an area well worth the effort. 

– Doug Ferris