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About usFor climbersNews

Expression of interest: ACAT is seeking a new Trustee

This is an exciting opportunity for somebody passionate about climbing and wanting to make a difference to climbing access in Aotearoa. Trustee positions are on a voluntary basis. Individuals interested in pursuing this opportunity can express interest by email. About Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust ACAT was established as a charitable trust...
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For climbersNews

Read ACAT's 2022 annual report

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 and sail it at the same time. Over the past 18 months we have successfully established ACAT as a new organisation that is already making a difference to climbing access around New Zealand. We...
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AccessWest CoastTuriwhate

Turiwhati crag opens in Westland

Westland’s newest rock climbing area is very much alpine sport climbing that fits with the rugged landscape. Clean, fine-grained granite soaked in evening sun, with a little alpine vegetation to dry your fingers on.  Generously coined the ‘Yosemite of Te Tai Poutini’, the Turiwhati climbing project now sports 13 bolted pitches. Routes...
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AccessWaikatoPakeho

Pakeho crag is closed

We are gutted to announce that Pakeho crag has been indefinitely closed for climbing. Pakeho is a beautiful limestone sport climbing area in the Waitomo district. Pakeho was re-opened in 2017 with assistance from ACAT’s GM Edwin Sheppard and volunteer Michael Donovan (well before ACAT existed). Since then, thousands of climbers have enjoyed...
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AccessLegislationWest Coast

Read our submission on West Coast stewardship land reclassification

We have submitted our opinion on the proposals set out in DOC’s Westland stewardship land reclassification consultation document, which affects 504 pieces of stewardship land on the West Coast. There are over 3000 pieces of stewardship land across the country – ACAT’s primary concern is to ensure that recreational access to and across...
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AccessWaikatoWhanganui Bay

Whanganui Bay opens for 2022 trial season

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. Whanganui Bay is one of the North Islandʻs premiere crags, with a mix of quality sport and trad on compact ignimbrite, and a climbing history reaching back into the 1970s. Its north-facing and sheltered...
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AccessWaikatoKawakawa Bay

Guidelines for camping at Kawakawa Bay

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 access open.  The campsite and many of the cliffs are on DOC or Iwi land, with Iwi co-governance, and there is no formally established agreement for camping or climbing activities. That means...
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NewsPartnersAuckland

Northern Rocks becomes an official ACAT sponsor

We are stoked to announce our first official sponsor, Northern Rocks – a world-class bouldering (climbing) facility on Auckland’s North Shore. The facility is building an inclusive community and helping its members get into outdoor climbing through community events, education and awareness. ACAT and Northern Rocks are strongly aligned by a...
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AccessLegislationAuckland

New crag? Read ACAT’s submission on the Waitipu Park plan

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 quarry (Waitipu Park), and ACAT has lodged a submission advocating for rock climbing to be permitted. You can read ACAT’s full submission (including more photos). This was a one-time opportunity to...
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AccessLegislation

ACAT’s submission on climbing access to stewardship land

Stewardship land covers 9% of New Zealand’s landmass. It includes several climbing areas including Mt Somers and the Remarkables Ranges. ACAT has been advocating on behalf of the climbing community to ensure that climbing access is protected in these areas. There are over 3000 individual blocks of stewardship land and the government...
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About usNews

ACAT hires Edwin Sheppard as General Manager

ACAT is excited to officially announce that we have hired a General Manager to lead the organisation. Edwin Sheppard is an experienced climber who has a legal background in resource management, health and safety and dispute resolution. He has been a key part of ACAT’s development since its inception. Recruiting a GM was a top priority for...
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About usNewsPartners

ACAT and NZAC sign Memorandum Of Understanding

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 forward. NZAC considers that more needs to be done to preserve crag access around the country and has backed ACAT from the outset.  The MOU sets out principles of collaboration, transparency,...
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AccessSouthland

Progress on the Milford Opportunities Project

ACAT has received confirmation that we, along with NZAC and other recreational advocacy groups, will be invited to join an advisory group providing input on development of the Milford Opportunities masterplan. The Milford Opportunities Project aims to create a new masterplan for Milford Sound Piopiotahi, the Milford corridor and the region...
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AccessLegislation

Read ACAT’s submission on the Adventure Activities Regulations changes

On 5 November 2021, ACAT made a detailed submission on proposed changes to the Adventure Activities Regulations, on behalf of the recreational climbing community. The Regulation changes have been proposed by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE), in response to the White Island catastrophe in 2019. They are intended to...
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AccessWaikato

Rock climbing permitted in Waikato under alert level 3 step 1

The government has announced that Waikato’s alert level 3 restrictions will ease tonight to match the greater freedoms seen in Auckland – called Alert Level 3 Step 1. The current level 3 boundary will remain. Read about the announcement here: Live Covid-19 updates: Everything you need to know on 27 October This means that from 11.59pm on 27...
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AccessLegislation

Access alert – Adventure Activities Regulation changes

If you are passionate about adventure activities or wish to have a say about about the potential impact on recreational climbing access, please make a submission on MBIE’s Adventure Activity – Keeping it Safe proposals. Overview New, stricter regulations are proposed in relation to Adventure Activities.  This includes...
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AccessAuckland

All rock climbing permitted in Auckland

Dust off your shoes and harnesses Auckland, rock climbing is back on the menu! We are stoked to announce the government has agreed to add climbing to the list of eligible activities under the current alert level! This rule change is the direct result of ACAT’s advocacy on the issue. Sport NZ has stated: “Permitted activities in Auckland...
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AccessCanterburyMt Bradley

Tell us about your experience climbing on Mt Bradley

The Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust has recently purchased Te Ahu Pātiki, a large block of land that includes Mt Bradley. They have brought the park into public ownership and are now working through future ownership and management with Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Inc and Orton Bradley Park. We are discussing the future of climbing on Mt...
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AccessWaikatoWaipari

Meet the new owners of Waipari / Froggatt Edge

You may have heard about the sale of the “Froggatt Edge” crag last year. The new owners would like to introduce themselves and they have some important things to say, as both climbers and now landowners. Crag visitors, please read the following carefully. ACAT looks forward to working closely with Emma and Merry in the future. Welcome to...
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AccessWaikatoWharepapa Rock

Wharepapa Rock / Castle Rock access warning

We have had the first serious issue at Wharepapa Rock since it changed hands earlier this year.  A group of climbers left a gate open, and this resulted in stock getting into another paddock – not good at this time of year, as they have minimal grass. Unfortunately this happened right in front of the farm owner, who is not happy. A...
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