National Volunteer Week

It's National Volunteer Week (15-20 June), and we want to recognise and celebrate the people who quietly help keep crag access alive across Aotearoa. 

ACAT exists to support the climbing community, providing the tools and expertise needed to safeguard long-term access. But real progress happens because local climbers care enough to take action. 

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognise those efforts and say thank you to the people helping care for the crags we love. 

Together, we can continue building lasting access for future generations. 

Nominate an Access Champion 

We’re inviting the climbing community to submit nominations for people who have made substantial contributions to climbing access, community and conservation over an extended period.  

This could be someone who: 

• Helps maintain or improve a climbing area  
• Supports local access relationships  
• Contributes strongly to their local climbing club 
• Organises volunteer days or community projects  
• Shares knowledge and mentors others  
• Contributes behind the scenes  
• Helps create a positive and welcoming climbing community  
• Steps up when their local crag needs support  

This is NOT a competition. The point is to recognise and inspire volunteer action.

Big or small, all contributions are worth celebrating.  

How it works 

Please submit your nomination using the link below. We don’t need a life history, some genuine words about a person’s contribution and impact are enough.  

ACAT will feature selected community nominations across our channels to celebrate the individuals helping strengthen climbing access across the motu, and inspire others to get involved. We won’t publish anything without gaining the consent of the nominated individuals.  

Submit a nomination  

To submit a nomination, fill out the online form HERE. 

If possible, please also email a photo of the nominated person to megan@acat.org.nz.