Header image: Emma Gregg, Seven Sharp at Parawai Lodge

Kia ora,

Here's what's been happening this month:

• Fast-track Waitaha Hydro Scheme: In November, we formally requested to comment on the application, which the Fast-track Panel declined. This is particularly concerning given that the Department of Conservation—an integral part of the fast-track process—also recommended that FMC be invited to comment, a recommendation that was also declined. The Panel has since engaged what it considers to be a recreation expert. FMC remains concerned about significant gaps in the Fast Track Approvals process, which appear to be setting up the expert panel to make a decision without all the required information.
• Yes - that’s the Minister in a Love Our Huts Shirt: FMC President Megan Dimozantos and Vice President Mick Abbott sat down with Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka, and separately with the Greens and the NZ Conservation Authority, to talk stewardship land, conservation boards, and how future decisions will affect the wild places we all care about. They even got the Minister to throw on a Love Our Huts tee - (it really took no convincing) and he’s keen to join us in the New Year for a LOH clean.
• Stewardship Land Reclassification: After years of delay, we welcomed the Minister of Conservation’s decisions on West Coast stewardship land, providing appropriate classification and protection. FMC made a substantial submission in 2022, and we are still reviewing decisions covering 385 parcels and over 500,000 hectares. We’ll provide updates in the new year.
• Resource Management Act: The Government has announced a shake-up to the Resource Management Act. This will result in two new Bills: a Planning Bill and a Natural Environment Bill. FMC is looking into this, and submissions are due 4.30 pm Fri 13 Feb. If you’d like more information, you can visit the Parliament website here. Additionally, the Environmental Defence Society held a webinar exploring the two bills in more detail. You can watch the webinar via their website, here.
• Exemptions for volunteers and educational groups included for DOC's upcoming car parking charge pilots: Exemptions for volunteers and educational groups have been included in DOC’s upcoming car-parking charge pilots. We recently urged DOC to consider these groups, and many of our members have been unsure whether they would need to pay for parking while carrying out their mahi. We’re pleased that DOC has recognised the value of volunteer efforts and introduced these exemptions. For details or to apply, visit the DOC website here.
• Winstone Pulp has applied for consent to dump waste into the Whangaehu River. FMC’s position is simple and firm. We are strongly opposing the consent application. If approved, the company would discharge treated pulp-mill wastewater, stormwater, and a foam inhibitor into the river, just 10 km upstream of the main paddlers’ put-in. This poses safety risks for river users and threatens further degradation of the river and its ecological systems. Read our full submission on our website below.

We’ve teamed up with WildLab to create a special run of Men’s and Women’s Love Our Huts T-shirts. Whether you’re gearing up for your clean, have already completed it, or can’t take part this year, these tees are a great way to show your support.

For every shirt sold, $20 will be donated to FMC to help protect an outdoor life worth living. This is a limited release; once they’re gone, they’re gone! Order yours before 15 March 2026 via the Wildlab page below.

Exec Members Emma Gregg and Louise Hammersley took TVNZ’s Seven Sharp out to Parawai Lodge for a special Love Our Huts clean.

We were accompanied by Tony Quayle from the Parawai Tramping Club, and volunteers from the Palmerston North Tramping and Mountaineering Club - and we can’t forget Coda - Emma’s four-legged friend. DOC ranger, Pip Cox, also came along and spoke highly about the campaign.

This was a great opportunity for us to get the Love Our Huts mission out to Kiwis across the country.

Thanks to all involved! 

Don't forget! Show off your Love Our Huts adventures and win amazing prizes from Outfitters NZ, Earth Sea Sky, and Dwights Outdoors. Entries are open now on the Love Our Huts Facebook Page.

It's easy, just film a maximum 45-second video clip of you and your group on your Love Our Huts trip, clean, and share it to be in to win!

Grab your phone, share your trip, and you could be our next winner!

Huge thanks to Rab, Earth Sea Sky, and Dwights Outdoors for providing these great prizes and supporting Love Our Huts!

P.S. We would also like to make a correction to last month's newsletter, as we misspelt Earth Sea Sky’s name.

Our Exec member, Louise Hammersley, had the pleasure of visiting one of FMC's most significant and inspiring members, Frances Lee. At 98, Frances is as sharp, witty, and inspiring as ever. Before arriving in NZ from the UK on a £10 ticket, Frances studied economics. 

She was introduced to the Tararua Tramping Club and went on her first-ever Kiwi tramp. The club would often host navigation challenges, which would see keen members navigate their way out of the bush with nothing more than their own natural sense of direction - Frances is proud to say she never once got lost.

Frances later joined a touring club in the Hutt, which saw her travel the globe: from South America through to Canada and Alaska, as well as across Asia and the Pacific Islands while working for the Ministry of Trade.

Professionally, Frances often found herself the only woman in the room, meaning confidence was key to holding her own in male-dominated spaces.

Frances has named as her dying wish the protection of the Kaiwharawhara Stream, which flows through Zealandia, Wilton’s Bush, and Trelissick Park into the harbour and out to the ocean.

The stream is facing poor water quality from contaminated stormwater runoff, sewage leaks, and invasive species. If you'd like to support the sole restoration initiative for the Kaiwharawhara Stream, we encourage you to visit Zealandia's website and learn more about the Kia Mouriora te Kaiwharawhara – Sanctuary to Sea initiative, which aims for the stream to become a healthy freshwater and forested ecosystem within 100 years.

Thank you, Frances. Without the support of generous people like you, FMC couldn’t continue its important work to protect Aotearoa’s wild places.

A reminder that two charitable trusts which generously support FMC, The Federated Mountain Clubs Mountain & Forest Trust and the Maerewhenua Trust, are looking for passionate people to join their Boards in 2026.

You can check out more about each Trust and what they’re looking for on our website via the links below, including the application criteria and how to apply.

We announced the winners of the 2025 FMC photo competition in November’s Backcountry and in last month's newsletter. If you haven’t had the chance yet, check the photos out on our website.

Each year, FMC provides slideshows of all the entries to our competition. You have the option of running the slideshow with captions or without. Many clubs enjoy an evening playing "guess the location" or simply having the photos playing in the background at the end of a meeting.

Safety in the mountains

While we’re all eager to get out into the hills during the holiday period, it’s important to remember that health and safety should always be at the top of our minds.

This means not only double-checking your packing list before heading out, but also ensuring you have an emergency plan in place. Make sure you know what to do in the event of an accident, how to contact emergency services, and that someone at home knows your route and expected return time.

We have a Safety in the Mountains practical guide for trampers and outdoor enthusiasts — small enough to fit in your pack, big enough to give you helpful tips when you need them. First published in 1937, it’s regularly updated to keep you safe in the outdoors.

Grab a printed copy from our online shop or check out the free online version on Wilderlife.

FMC Office closure

We will be away from the phones and emails from 24 December to 12 January, enjoying some reconnection with our wild places! When we’re back on board in January, we’ll endeavour to answer any queries received over the holiday period. 

Until then, we hope everyone enjoys a restful break! 

DOC is looking for nominees for Conservation Board vacancies 

The Minister of Conservation is seeking nominations for membership across a range of Conservation Boards nationwide. Appointments begin on 1 July 2026 for up to three years, with preference given to applicants who live within the relevant board area.

Nominations close 5pm, Friday 30 January 2026. Apply and find more info via the DOC website. 

Did you know you can join FMC completely online?

Sign up and start enjoying member discounts, enter our photo competition, and receive your digital copy of Backcountry magazine. 

We couldn’t do this work without the support of our members and funders! Sign up online via our website below.

New Bluebridge ferry discount

FMC members are now eligible for a 10% discount on Bluebridge ferries! 

Promo code and terms and conditions are on the FMC discount card page of our website, and members will need to show a current FMC card at the terminal.

Header image: Sophie Tucker

This month, we're focusing on working with our wider community, including tangata whenua and all levels of government.

Engaging with the wider community and building strong relationships beyond FMC are essential to the work we do.

Next month, we will be focused on fostering the skills and knowledge of our outdoor recreation community, particularly among young people. Keep an eye out to see how we work to develop, encourage, and promote the skills and knowledge of our outdoor community.

Read more about our strategy below.

As always, our work is only possible with the support of our funders. Thank you for being on this journey with us, powering us to advocate for and protect an outdoor life worth living.

Youth award grants, expedition scholarships, training grants, Love Our Huts, submissions - it’s all possible thanks to you!

We’re all here for a common reason - we love our beautiful outdoors - and we’re hell-bent on keeping them that way.

“We must closely guard the welfare of our National Parks and Reserves. These should not be regarded as the property of our minister or the government. They belong to the people of today and tomorrow. We must fight for their protection if necessary.” Fred Vosseler – Inaugural FMC President (1932)