Craigieburn Forest Park lies inland of the Canterbury Plains, rising quickly into steep beech forest and open mountain basins. It is a place defined less by landmarks than by exposure. Weather, gradient, and terrain shape every visit, and they do … Continue reading
Water quality matters to recreation and communities alike Water connects everything: the places we explore, the rivers we swim in, the taps we drink from, and the landscapes that shape community life. Yet globally, access to safe drinking water remains … Continue reading
Electronic waste - often shortened to e-waste - is quietly becoming one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. It rarely features in public debate about land use or outdoor environments, yet its impacts are physical, place-based, and increasingly … Continue reading
Maybe Not Anymore For years we have been told that Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination is effectively permanent - that rivers, lakes, estuaries, and groundwater affected by so-called “forever chemicals” are simply lost. The public response has usually been the same: … Continue reading
The Horowhenua coast runs south–north from Waiterere Beach to Tangimoana, forming a long, open edge between land and sea. It is not defined by a single landmark or destination. Instead, it is shaped by continuity: dunes, estuary, beach settlements, and … Continue reading
Camping and caravanning in New Zealand involve staying overnight outdoors using tents, campervans, caravans, or self-contained vehicles. This includes campgrounds, DOC sites, and - where permitted - freedom camping, which allows people to stay temporarily in public places without formal … Continue reading
Horse trekking is recreational riding at a walking or steady pace, using formed tracks, open country, river flats, beaches, and designated routes. In New Zealand it is commonly practised as a leisure activity, focused on time outdoors rather than speed, … Continue reading
Fitness watches and tracking devices are tools some people use to record time, distance, location, or movement during outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, or paddling. In New Zealand they are commonly worn during everyday recreation rather than organised … Continue reading
Guest post by Dave Rhodes Our beaches are dying. Not from oil spills, storms, or sudden catastrophe, but from something far quieter: perfectly legal overuse. Along much of our coastline, intertidal life is thinning, shell beds are shrinking, and rock … Continue reading
Outdoor swimming is the practice of swimming for enjoyment in natural water - rivers, swimming holes, lakes, and sheltered coastal beaches - rather than in pools or competitive settings. In New Zealand, outdoor swimming is a long-standing, everyday activity shaped … Continue reading
Beach wandering and rock pooling is the exploration of coastal margins at walking pace, focusing on shoreline features, rock platforms, pools, shells, seaweed, and marine life revealed by the tide. In New Zealand, this is one of the most accessible … Continue reading
Picnics and public barbecues are a form of outdoor recreation centred on shared meals in public places. In New Zealand they are commonly supported by purpose-built infrastructure - tables, shelters, toilets, and barbecues - provided in parks, reserves, waterfronts, and … Continue reading
Bird watching is the practice of observing birds in their natural surroundings, using sight, sound, and patience rather than speed or distance. In New Zealand it is commonly done outdoors in public spaces - parks, reserves, coastlines, wetlands, and forests … Continue reading
Tai chi is a slow, controlled movement practice that combines balance, posture, breathing, and awareness. In New Zealand it is commonly practised outdoors, using public parks, reserves, waterfronts, and town green spaces rather than purpose-built facilities. For many participants, the … Continue reading
Walking, in this context, means short to medium walks that require little preparation beyond turning up and moving at a comfortable pace. These are walks done for enjoyment, exercise, observation, or time outdoors - not for distance, elevation, or endurance. … Continue reading
Outdoor recreation in New Zealand takes many forms. Some involve skill and preparation; others are simple, familiar, and close to home. What they share is that they all depend on being able to get to places and use them safely … Continue reading
Geocaching is a recreational activity where people use a GPS-enabled device - usually a smartphone - to locate small, hidden containers placed in public spaces. Each “cache” has recorded coordinates and is typically found along tracks, reserves, coastal margins, town … Continue reading
Road cycling on formed routes is the use of sealed roads, shared paths, and waterfront or park-edge routes for recreation, exercise, and simple movement. In New Zealand it often takes place close to where people live - in towns, suburbs, … Continue reading
Outdoor photography is the practice of using public spaces to observe, record, and interpret landscapes, wildlife, weather, and human presence through a camera or phone. In New Zealand it commonly involves short walks, roadside stops, coastal margins, riverbanks, forest edges, … Continue reading
Freshwater fishing in New Zealand often begins at the water’s edge: from a riverbank, bridge, jetty, or lakeshore. It is usually done with simple tackle - a rod, line, hook, and bait or lure - and does not require wading, … Continue reading
