Become an Access Advocate: help build climbing access that lasts, 19 to 25 October

Climbing has grown. Our approach to access needs to grow with it.  

More people are climbing than ever before. That's something worth celebrating. But behind the routes, bolts and guidebooks is an access system that hasn't always grown with us. 

When it works, you barely notice it. You turn up and climb. When it doesn't, the gate closes. 

ACAT works with climbers, clubs, landowners, mana whenua and government to strengthen the relationships and systems that keep climbing possible. Increasingly, we're trying to get ahead of problems rather than waiting for another crag to close.  

Our successful campaign to reform national health and safety laws is set to change the game for climbing access on private land. Now we're turning our attention to the access challenges facing crags on public land, and we need your help.

This week, do something for access. 

There are plenty of ways to play a part, whether that's joining your local club, turning up to a working bee, learning the story behind your local crag or simply giving something back to the places you climb. 

And if you want to help tackle the bigger access challenges facing climbing across Aotearoa, become an Access Advocate. 

We're looking for 100 people to join us with a monthly or annual donation. The rock might be permanent, but access isn't. 

Become an Access Advocate 

Start a monthly or annual donation between now and 25 October and help build climbing access that lasts. 

Every new Access Advocate will also go in the draw to win prizes from our Access Action Week partners. 

Already a regular donor? Refer a friend 

Our regular donors make ACAT's work possible, and we'd love your help getting more climbers behind access.

Refer a friend who signs up as a new regular donor and, if you're among the first 20 successful referrers, we'll send a thank-you gift your way!

More ways to take action 

Join an event: Our General Manager and Deputy General Manager, Edwin and Megan, will be on the road during Access Action Week, visiting climbing communities across Aotearoa. Come along to a local gym night to meet the ACAT team, discuss access work in your area and connect with other climbers. 

Give back: Take part in a local crag care activity and help care for the places we climb. (Event details coming soon). 

Spread the word: Share the campaign, talk to your climbing partners about access and encourage someone else to get involved. 

Win some great prizes! 

Thanks to our Access Action Week partners, we'll have some great prizes up for grabs throughout the week for new Access Advocates, existing regular donors and people helping spread the word. 

Norsewear 

YETI 

Northern Rocks 

Faultline

Terms and conditions 

• Campaign period: Now until 25 October 2026 (NZDT). 
• New donors: Start a monthly or annual donation to enter the new supporter prize draw. 
• Existing donors: All active monthly and annual donors will automatically enter a separate prize draw. 
• Refer a friend: The first 20 existing donors who successfully refer a new regular donor during the campaign will receive a thank-you gift. Referrals must be recorded through ACAT's referral process (completed by new donors on sign up).  
• Social prizes: Follow ACAT on Facebook or Instagram and share a campaign post or tag a friend to enter the social media prize draw. 
• Prize draws: Winners will be selected at random after the campaign closes and contacted directly. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash and may be subject to location-specific conditions. 
• Promoter: Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT).