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

A weka who inadvertently hitched a 300km ride to Christchurch has been returned to the West Coast via a one-way bus ticket.

Kim Ranger and partner Ian stopped at Berlins campsite near Inangahua over Easter weekend, where the weka took advantage of an open door and climbed into their ute, hiding among dog blankets.

When they returned home, Kim saw the weka in the footwell. “I couldn’t stop laughing and then came the realisation, what on earth do you do with a weka in Christchurch?”

She called the after-hours vets, SPCA and the Department of Conservation, who all advised them to leave it in the ute and wait until the next morning.

“The weka didn’t show any signs of being distressed, when you opened the door he just stood on the centre console and pooped – though he did set off the car alarm at 7 in the morning. The inside of the ute was literally covered in weka poop.”

DOC biodiversity supervisor Craig Alexander said it was a reminder to people to check their vehicles for any wildlife when camping or in the outdoors. “We were able to get [the weka] back over to the West Coast in a small carrier cage on a bus and it was released near the area it had hitched a ride from. Read the full story from RNZ.

Record numbers walk Hump Ridge Track

Tuatapere Hump Track Ltd general manager Cedric Wedderburn said 4122 people walked the Hump Ridge Track during the 2024-25 season. That was a 33% increase on the previous year and 250 walkers more than the previous highest number. 

The track’s new Great Walk status had spurred interest, he suggested. “Everyone wants to come and do a Great Walk … They want to tick it off,” Wedderburn said. “There’s a greater awareness of the walk now and more overseas media publicity around it. More Aussies are coming.”

Wedderburn said most of the 4000-plus walkers were from outside Southland and had stayed in paid accommodation in Tuatapere or nearby on the night before starting the track.

The track was opened in 2001. In October last year, it officially became New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk and the only one managed by a charitable trust. 

Walkers on the Hump Ridge this season filled the huts to 90% capacity. This season, 83% of the trampers were freedom walkers. The remainder had bought prime or guided walk packages that included some luxury. Read the full story from The Post.

Mount Fuji climber rescued twice in four days after going back for lost phone

A 27-year-old university student who climbed Mount Fuji outside of its official climbing season was rescued twice in four days after he returned to look for his mobile phone.

The student was first rescued by helicopter on Tuesday while on the Fujinomiya trail, which sits about 3000m above sea level. He was unable to descend the trail after he lost his crampons.

A few days later, he returned to the mountain to retrieve belongings that he left behind, including his phone. He was rescued a second time after suffering from altitude sickness.

Following the man’s rescue, police in Shizuoka prefecture reiterated its advice against climbing the mountain during the off-season as the weather could suddenly change, making it hard for rescuers to respond. Medical facilities along the trails are also closed. Read the full story from the BBC.

Whakapapa ski field deal given green light

The Mayor of Ruapehu says he’s relieved a new owner has been given the all-clear to run the Whakapapa ski field.

The previous owner went into receivership in 2022, putting the ski field’s future in jeopardy until last week when the Department of Conservation accepted a private bid from Whakapapa Holding to operate the ski field for the next 10 years.

“It gives some relief to the community, some certainty for the next season which is just about upon us. There’s a lot of businesses that will be excited there’s more certainty over the next 10 years,” Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton said.

He said Ruapehu’s ski fields were vital to the district’s economy.

“The ski fields have been the jewel in the crown, it’s always been an important part of our economy for two reasons: One is the skiers that enjoy the ski fields, but also the accommodation and businesses that run around it,” he said.

“We’re delighted we’re up and running again, we work hard to get a balance and have activity year round but skiing is a key component of our toolbox and we build our infrastructure and towns around the ski fields.” Read the full story from RNZ.

More sea snake sightings expected in New Zealand

More sea snakes could show up on New Zealand beaches in the future as climate change increases the likelihood of storms bringing them to our shores, the Department of Conservation says.

A yellow-bellied sea snake was spotted at Omaha Beach north of Auckland last month but, when DOC rangers arrived, it appeared to have been killed by a dog and “hit with something”.

As climate change brings more storms, that could mean more sea snakes washing up on New Zealand beaches.

“It’s probably quite a reasonable thing to expect to happen. You know, there are a lot of them out there, so it wouldn’t be a surprise at all.” Read the full story from 1News.