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
Victoria Forest Park occupies a large tract of forested land between the Lewis Pass and the Buller Gorge. It is one of the country’s largest forest parks, yet it rarely features in promotional narratives. There are no marquee viewpoints, no … Continue reading
Golden Bay sits at the north-western edge of the South Island, separated from the rest of Tasman by ranges rather than borders. Reaching it takes time, but not specialised skill. The distance does most of the filtering. That matters. A … Continue reading
Rangitoto rises from Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour as a singular form: broad-based, symmetrical, and unmistakably volcanic. Visible from much of the city, it appears close and familiar, yet remains separate in character and experience. Access is straightforward. Engagement is not. The … Continue reading
Matiu / Soames Island sits in Wellington Harbour, visible from much of the city yet experienced by relatively few. It is not remote in distance, but it is distinct in character. Reached by a short ferry crossing, it offers an … Continue reading
Mt Damper Falls lies inland in the central North Island, away from formed roads and casual stopping points. It is not encountered by chance. Reaching it requires intent, preparation, and a willingness to accept that the journey is part of … Continue reading
Opinion by Andi Cockroft, Chair, CORANZ Disclosure: I am an avid outdoor persona, born Country, I grew up surrounded by mother nature. Meadows, woods, streams were my playgrounds. But as I aged, I find myself unable to participate in all … Continue reading
Rather than reinvent wheels, take a look at this excellent feature from Nicola McCloy at RNZ – all the hard work done for us
Or: Agriculture, Nitrates, and the Public Interest Opinion by Andi Cockroft, Chair, CORANZ Recent opinion pieces in mainstream media have painted a confident picture of New Zealand agriculture’s future. Rising commodity prices, renewed optimism on farms, and calls for lighter … Continue reading
Guest post by Dave Rhodes For decades, the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand (CORANZ) has raised concerns about overseas ownership of rural land. Not because of where buyers come from, but because of what tends to happen … Continue reading
Matt Watson discusses the state of New Zealand’s oceans, including concerns about commercial fishing regulations and their impact on recreational fishing.
Wellington Water Pollution Warnings Show Why Recreation Users Need Clear, Timely Water Quality Information By Dave Rhodes, Guest Author Recent warnings issued for coastal and freshwater swimming spots in the Wellington and Lower Hutt areas highlight a growing and often … Continue reading
Opinion by Andi Cockroft, Chair, CORANZ Organisations such as CORANZ exist for a clear and enduring purpose: to protect and promote outdoor recreation, public access, and the sustainable management of New Zealand’s land and freshwater resources. Their legitimacy, influence, and … Continue reading
CORANZ member organisation Responsible Campers Association (RCA) is developing practical tools to support responsible freedom camping across Aotearoa - and they’re asking for help from the wider outdoor recreation community. RCA has created an online Responsible Camping Accreditation Quiz, designed … Continue reading
A scientist has made a plea to ditch 1080 poison, a slow-to-kill toxin that causes intense suffering to creatures that ingest it and as used by the Department of Conservation over large swathes of public wilderness lands. Instead Dr Pollard … Continue reading
Commentary by Andi Cockroft, Chair, CORANZ Outdoor recreation depends on trust. People walk tracks, hunt, cycle, run dogs, gather food, and take children into public spaces on the assumption that if an area is open, it is reasonably safe to … Continue reading
Guest post by Dave Rhodes Pine plantations have become an increasingly dominant feature across New Zealand’s rural landscapes - not just in traditional forestry regions, but in high-country areas, marginal farmland, river corridors, and even places long valued for recreation … Continue reading
Across Canterbury, and in other intensive-farming regions, people have been quietly drinking water with elevated nitrate levels for decades. Now the science is catching up – and it makes for grim reading. International studies show that long-term exposure to nitrates … Continue reading
