Latest updates

About us

Read ACAT's 2023 annual report

ACAT's Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 11 December, where the annual report was presented. The past year has been a period of consolidation for ACAT, building on the initial effort to set up the new organisation over the previous 18 months. With ongoing work occurring to develop robust finances, governance, and systems, we have...
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AccessBay of PlentyMangorewa Gorge

Mangorewa Gorge crag interim closure notice

ACAT and the Rotorua Climbing Club are consulting with DOC and iwi about the future of the crag. Key details:  Please consider Mangorewa Gorge crag CLOSED and refrain from climbing there until further notice.  The access track to the river remains open for walking and swimming purposes. Note that this track crosses private land...
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AccessWaikatoKinloch K1

Wāhi tapu site and closed climbs at Kinloch K1

ACAT and local climbers have been discussing climbing at Kinloch with the Trust representing the landowners. We are excited to finally be talking with the right people and forging a positive connection between climbers and iwi in the area. Many thanks to Taupō locals Anthea and Michael for making these connections. For several years there has...
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Donations

Apply or donate to the Kimi Worrell Fund

ACAT administers the Kimi Worrell Fund, which supports safe climbing access in New Zealand. Kimi tragically passed away in 2018 when a fixed line she was using to access a rap station snapped. The Kimi Worrell Fund was set up by Kimi’s close friends and family with funds raised from the climbing community. The fund aims to replace perishable and...
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AccessAucklandAGS Rockwall

AGS Rockwall / Mt Eden Quarry update

We get more inquiries about the status of the Quarry than any other crag, demonstrating the strength and scale of passion in the community for this crag even after 6 years of closure. It’s difficult to provide a meaningful update during an active access negotiation where there is no guarantee of success. However, we will do our best to say what...
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About us

Read ACAT's 2022 annual report

ACAT held our AGM on Monday 12 December, and presented our annual report. The past two years have been a whirlwind as we worked to build this ship and sail it at the same time. Over the past 18 months we have successfully established ACAT as a new organisation that is already making a difference to climbing access around New Zealand. We...
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AccessWest CoastTuriwhate

Turiwhati crag opens in Westland

Westland’s newest rock climbing area is very much alpine sport climbing that fits with the rugged landscape. Clean, fine-grained granite soaked in evening sun, with a little alpine vegetation to dry your fingers on.  Generously coined the ‘Yosemite of Te Tai Poutini’, the Turiwhati climbing project now sports 13 bolted pitches. Routes...
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AccessWaikatoPakeho

Pakeho crag is closed

We are gutted to announce that Pakeho crag has been indefinitely closed for climbing. Pakeho is a beautiful limestone sport climbing area in the Waitomo district. Pakeho was re-opened in 2017 with assistance from ACAT’s GM Edwin Sheppard and volunteer Michael Donovan (well before ACAT existed). Since then, thousands of climbers have enjoyed...
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AccessLegislationWest Coast

Read our submission on West Coast stewardship land reclassification

We have submitted our opinion on the proposals set out in DOC’s Westland stewardship land reclassification consultation document, which affects 504 pieces of stewardship land on the West Coast. There are over 3000 pieces of stewardship land across the country – ACAT’s primary concern is to ensure that recreational access to and across...
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AccessWaikatoWhanganui Bay

Whanganui Bay opens for 2022 trial season

After over 5 years of closure, ACAT is stoked to announce that climbing at Whanganui Bay is now possible again under a trial climbing season. Whanganui Bay is one of the North Islandʻs premiere crags, with a mix of quality sport and trad on compact ignimbrite, and a climbing history reaching back into the 1970s. Its north-facing and sheltered...
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AccessWaikatoKawakawa Bay

Guidelines for camping at Kawakawa Bay

Excited for a weekend away at Kawakawa Bay? Who wouldn’t be! But remember it’s crucial that we behave respectfully, leave no trace, and keep climbing access open.  The campsite and many of the cliffs are on DOC or Iwi land, with Iwi co-governance, and there is no formally established agreement for camping or climbing activities. That means...
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AccessAucklandLegislation

New crag? Read ACAT’s submission on the Waitipu Park plan

The old Waitakere Quarry on Te Henga Rd contains basalt walls with good climbing potential. Auckland Council is creating a new public park in the quarry (Waitipu Park), and ACAT has lodged a submission advocating for rock climbing to be permitted. You can read ACAT’s full submission (including more photos). This was a one-time opportunity to...
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AccessLegislation

ACAT’s submission on climbing access to stewardship land

Stewardship land covers 9% of New Zealand’s landmass. It includes several climbing areas including Mt Somers and the Remarkables Ranges. ACAT has been advocating on behalf of the climbing community to ensure that climbing access is protected in these areas. There are over 3000 individual blocks of stewardship land and the government...
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About usPartners

ACAT and NZAC sign Memorandum Of Understanding

We are stoked to announce that ACAT and NZAC have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets out the basis of our relationship moving forward. NZAC considers that more needs to be done to preserve crag access around the country and has backed ACAT from the outset.  The MOU sets out principles of collaboration, transparency,...
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AccessSouthland

Progress on the Milford Opportunities Project

ACAT has received confirmation that we, along with NZAC and other recreational advocacy groups, will be invited to join an advisory group providing input on development of the Milford Opportunities masterplan. The Milford Opportunities Project aims to create a new masterplan for Milford Sound Piopiotahi, the Milford corridor and the region...
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AccessWaikatoWharepapa Rock

Wharepapa Rock / Castle Rock access update

Wharepapa Rock remains open subject to the entry conditions below. However the farm has recently been sold again, less than a year after its last sale. The new owner took possession in December 2021. Access remains tenuous – ACAT will provide updates as soon as any further information is available.The crag continues to be managed by Sheena...
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AccessLegislation

Read ACAT’s submission on the Adventure Activities Regulations changes

On 5 November 2021, ACAT made a detailed submission on proposed changes to the Adventure Activities Regulations, on behalf of the recreational climbing community. The Regulation changes have been proposed by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE), in response to the White Island catastrophe in 2019. They are intended to...
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AccessWaikato

Rock climbing permitted in Waikato under alert level 3 step 1

The government has announced that Waikato’s alert level 3 restrictions will ease tonight to match the greater freedoms seen in Auckland – called Alert Level 3 Step 1. The current level 3 boundary will remain. Read about the announcement here: Live Covid-19 updates: Everything you need to know on 27 OctoberThis means that from 11.59pm on 27...
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AccessLegislation

Access alert – Adventure Activities Regulation changes

If you are passionate about adventure activities or wish to have a say about about the potential impact on recreational climbing access, please make a submission on MBIE’s Adventure Activity – Keeping it Safe proposals. Overview New, stricter regulations are proposed in relation to Adventure Activities.  This includes...
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AccessAuckland

All rock climbing permitted in Auckland

Dust off your shoes and harnesses Auckland, rock climbing is back on the menu! We are stoked to announce the government has agreed to add climbing to the list of eligible activities under the current alert level! This rule change is the direct result of ACAT’s advocacy on the issue. Sport NZ has stated: “Permitted activities in Auckland...
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