Female climber in purple shirt laybacks on rock Crete photographed from above — Jana Wold laying back on the crux section of Transmission at Whanganui Bay. Photo: John Palmer

Donate to help us continue our critical NZ climbing access and advocacy work

ACAT exists to improve access to rock climbing and bouldering areas around NZ. Since we began we have worked to preserve the future of Waipari and Wharepapa Rock, gained a trial reopening for Whanganui Bay, submitted on adventure tourism, stewardship land and Milford Sound legislation, worked to allow climbing during Covid, and more.

There is still so much more to do – access is threatened or prohibited at many crags around NZ. We are working on it! Starting a regular donation now is the best way you can help us keep going.

Latest updates

view all

Shirtless climber on overhanging vegetated rock face at Mangorewa Gorge

Mangōrewa Gorge progress update

Bay of Plenty : Mon 26 Aug 2024

ACAT has been working closely with climbers, Rotorua Climbing Club, DOC, Tapuika iwi, and the Outdoor Access Commission over the past year, and we...

A group of tourists in adventure clothing walking through a volcanic landscape

ACAT intervenes in White Island case to address landowner liability concerns

All NZ : Mon 12 Aug 2024

The Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) will represent the interests of climbers and the outdoor recreation community in the upcoming High Court...

A pile of tree debris dragged away from the cliff across a paddock

Wharepapa Rock cleanup done but access threatened by non-payment of fees

Waikato : Mon 15 Jul 2024

Cleanup work after the 2023 tree fall damage is now mostly complete, and the crag is seeing considerable traffic – but future access remains...

Climber in black shirt at the Pakeho crag.

Pakeho Crag re-opening project update

Waikato : Thu 13 Jun 2024

Since ACAT signed an MOU with the Pakeho landowners in January, Chris Hailey has been leading an epic community effort to get the crag ready for re-...

Climber in blue shirt at the Kinloch crag, Lake Taupō

Climbing at Kinloch K1 crag not recommended

Waikato : Sun 7 Apr 2024

The Kinloch K1 crag sits on a section of Maori land called the Whangamata No. 3 block, owned by an Ahu Whenua Trust. Over the past year, ACAT has...

Climber on a limestone cliff above native bush at Pakeho crag

Progress on Pakeho crag

Waikato : Fri 15 Mar 2024

ACAT has been working behind the scenes toward re-opening Pakeho crag, and has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the landowners and...