Latest updates

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 usPartners

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 OctoberThis 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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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 to remain open under trial

Over the past three months the Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) has been in access discussions with the new owner of prominent Waikato crag Wharepapa / Castle Rock, Bryan Heapy. We are now pleased to announce that climbing access will remain open under a trial period arrangement as from 1 April 2021 onwards. Bryan will...
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