Keeping New Zealand climbing

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

Our mission is to create sustainable climbing access through strong relationships between climbers, communities, and the environment. 

We think climbers have a brilliant, vibrant community that has a lot to offer. By becoming more organised and putting in sustained effort, ACAT can give back to the places and communities that host our adventures and ensure a warm welcome for climbers throughout Aotearoa. Read more about our objectives and key initiatives.

Help us out, donate!

Find out more about donations

Donate to Waipari

/for-climbers/donate-to-the-waipari-fund
Shirtless climber in red trousers on steeply overhanging pocketed rock with farmland background
For climbers
Improve access & the environment

Landowner liability?

/for-landowners/do-landowners-have-any-potential-liability
For landowners
Are you liable for climbers on your land?

Meet our Trustees

/about-us/our-trustees
Smiling climber hangs under an orange rock roof with a lake in the background.
About us
Governance by climbers, for climbers

Latest updates

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Guidelines for camping at Kawakawa Bay

Waikato :
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...
Read more

Northern Rocks becomes an official ACAT sponsor

Auckland :
We are stoked to announce our first official sponsor, Northern Rocks – a world-class bouldering (climbing) facility on Auckland’s North Shore....
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New crag? Read ACAT’s submission on the Waitipu Park plan

Auckland :
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...
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ACAT’s submission on climbing access to stewardship land

All NZ :
Stewardship land covers 9% of New Zealand’s landmass. It includes several climbing areas including Mt Somers and the Remarkables Ranges....
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ACAT hires Edwin Sheppard as General Manager

All NZ :
ACAT is excited to officially announce that we have hired a General Manager to lead the organisation. Edwin Sheppard is an experienced climber...
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ACAT and NZAC sign Memorandum Of Understanding

All NZ :
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...
Read more
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.