AGS Rockwall / Mt Eden Quarry update

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 can be said.

First, access negotiations with Auckland Grammar School are ongoing. We are talking with representatives at the highest level, including the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and their lawyers.

Second, we have the best possible people on the job. Pete Cammell and several other experienced Auckland climbers have continued to push the School for renewed access for years now. More recently, the School’s remaining concerns have been narrowed down to a remote residual risk of legal liability under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. We consider that the risk is theoretical and negligible, and there is no practical risk of any liability. However, the School is clear that it wishes to take a zero risk approach.

As such, some creative legal thinking has been required and we are exceptionally fortunate to have some of the best legal minds in the country working to find a resolution.

We are satisfied that the ongoing negotiations are in the best possible hands right now and everything that can be done is being done. This is a joint effort by NZAC Auckland, ACAT, and other volunteers from the climbing community.

The best thing you can do to help right now is to be patient and consider signing up as an ACAT supporter and/or NZAC member to give our organisations more clout! Backing from strong climbing organisations makes all the difference in such complex, long-running negotiations.

Ngā mihi nui

Edwin Sheppard
ACAT General Manager