Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa Outdoor Access Commission

25/06/2026

Following our advocacy, DOC has signposted the turnoff to Mt Reeves in the Tararua Forest Park — home to the centre of the Zealandia continent.

The issue began when access from Waiohine Valley Rd was blocked after a nearby landowner objected to public use of a track crossing private land. Investigations (including some very soggy fieldwork!) confirmed that a river-based legal access route wasn’t a practical alternative.

Although restoring the original access wasn’t possible, an old alternative route from Waiohine Gorge Rd has now been officially recognised. Local trampers had kept the route alive after DOC stopped promoting it following the removal of a bridge years ago.

The new sign is now up just past the Waiohine Gorge swingbridge.

📷: Franz Hubmann

25/06/2026

Horse riding is a valued recreation activity and, for some communities, an important transport option. When planning shared paths, an inclusive approach works best — one that looks to accommodate a wide range of users where it's practical to do so, with separation where safety requires it and shared use where good design makes it work.
Our shared path guidance recognises that horse riders can be among the more vulnerable users on a path, which is why thoughtful design matters. Experience from around Aotearoa shows that with the right design and clear expectations, horses and other path users can share space successfully.
Bringing horse riders’ needs into the planning early helps keep options open for new paths and invites a broad evidence base. More information on shared path principles is at herengaanuku.govt.nz.

The 30km City to Sea Rail Trail will begin in Longburn and go out towards the coast at Himatangi and Foxton – but a 6km section is in dispute.

12/06/2026

Great to see the Waitatari/Harts Creek Track near Leeston (Canterbury) officially reopened recently.

Our regional advisor joined 40–50 locals to celebrate the upgrade led by the Lions Club of Ellesmere. Public access is now secured with a variable-width esplanade and Walking Access Act easements, supported by Enhanced Access Grant funding.
Awesome mahi — capped off with a BBQ for those who stayed. 🥩

04/06/2026

‪
$10,000 in seed funding → $345,000 raised for a new Golden Bay trail. 🚴🌿
Our early support helped the Golden Bay Cycle and Walkways Society turn an early plan into a credible, fundable project: herengaanuku.govt.nz/golden-bay-seed-funding

📷: Golden Bay Cycle and Walkways Society

28/05/2026

Our CE Dan Wildy is sending a chocolate fish to thank Richard Murcott, who worked diligently with LINZ to digitise public access to Lowes Bush Scenic Reserve. This work has allowed us to make it visible on our digital maps and, in so doing, share it with everyone.

WAMS map of public access to Lowes Bush Scenic Reserve:
https://bit.ly/lowes-bush
(You’re looking for the little red line that connects Lowes Bush Scenic Reserve to Perrys Road.)

07/05/2026

Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game has pioneered an innovative land-purchase-and-access model to create new access at Stone Jug Rd, allowing anglers to reach the beautiful Whakapapa River. To support this project, we granted $8800 to Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game for survey work to legalise the access.

https://www.herengaanuku.govt.nz/our-work/news/news/stone-jug-road

📷: Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game

21/04/2026

Huge thanks to Alex Liggatt from Fox & Associates and David Haigh from Helmores Lawyers for their generous support of the Ashley Gorge Tracks Group as they built the Ashley Gorge Skyline Trail.

Alex (surveyor) and David (solicitor) both voluntarily contributed part of their work pro bono, helping navigate the legal and surveying process and recognising the real value of this trail — for the community and for everyone who will enjoy it into the future.

We’re sending a chocolate fish to Alex and David as a small gesture of appreciation for professional expertise freely given, and for backing local people doing great things. 🐟🐟