Help preserve these moments!

Female climber in orange helmet reaches for the final hold, viewed from above

Your donation will help us continue our critical NZ climbing access and advocacy work

The Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) works to improve access to rock climbing and bouldering areas around New Zealand.

In the 2 years 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! Please help us keep going with a regular or one-off donation.

Latest updates

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Climber in blue shirt makes a dynamic move on a smooth rock face.

Expression of interest: ACAT is seeking a new Trustee

All NZ : Fri 19 May 2023

This is an exciting opportunity for somebody passionate about climbing and wanting to make a difference to climbing access in Aotearoa. Trustee...

Climber on overhanging orange white rock above bush

Read ACAT's 2022 annual report

All NZ : Wed 14 Dec 2022

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...

The granite outcrop of Turiwhate in Westland New Zealand

Turiwhati crag opens in Westland

West Coast : Mon 07 Nov 2022

Westland’s newest rock climbing area is very much alpine sport climbing that fits with the rugged landscape. Clean, fine-grained granite soaked in...

Climber on a limestone cliff above native bush at Pakeho crag

Pakeho crag is closed

Waikato : Wed 05 Oct 2022

We are gutted to announce that Pakeho crag has been indefinitely closed for climbing. Pakeho is a beautiful limestone sport climbing area in the...

Tiny climbers on a brown rock sea cliff with pounding waves and towering spray

Read our submission on West Coast stewardship land reclassification

West Coast : Thu 25 Aug 2022

We have submitted our opinion on the proposals set out in DOC’s Westland stewardship land reclassification consultation document, which...

Climber in glue hawaiian white climbs a pocketed face against a bush background

Whanganui Bay opens for 2022 trial season

Waikato : Fri 15 Jul 2022

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....

Wide angle aerial image of Ti Point, basalt headland with pohutakawa, calm turquoise sea, underwater reef, cloudy sky. — Ti Point, an hour north of Auckland. Photo: Chris Hailey.