FMC is delighted to welcome Whitewater New Zealand (WWNZ) as our 99^th affiliated club. WWNZ represents 15 kayaking and canoe clubs, and a total of 1000 members.

FMC looks forward to working with WWNZ to protect and enhance outdoor recreation, together offering a strong voice on behalf of all paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Read the full welcome and learn more about WWNZ on our website. 

Christchurch based Bishopdale Tramping Club has just been formally accepted as FMC's newest member club. This brings FMC's total membership to 100 clubs.

FMC is delighted to welcome one more active tramping club to the ranks of our organisation. We are looking forward to working with Bishopdale TC members on future advocacy work in Canterbury and in New Zealand generally.

We would like to thank all of our member clubs for their continued support and help in reaching this important milestone.

The winners of the 2021 FMC photo competition were announced in November's Backcountry. If you haven't had a chance to see them yet, you can find them on our website.

Each year, FMC provides slideshows of all the entries to our competition; many clubs enjoy an evening playing “guess the location” or simply having them playing in the background at the end of a meeting.

FMC's long-running annual photo competition showcases the places and moments captured by our members. This year, the winning photographs are displayed in an exhibition at the Christchurch Arts Centre. 

The exhibition is open from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday 14 December to Sunday 19 December at the Pūmanawa Gallery Space upstairs in the Christchurch Arts Centre.

Free entry.

On 30 November 2021, the Minister of Tourism announced the freedom camping changes Government intends to make in 2022. These changes seek to improve the sustainability of freedom camping in New Zealand, protect the natural environment and local communities’ enjoyment of it, and support efforts to ensure that all freedom camping is done responsibly.

Read more

From 15 December 2021, eligible people aged 12 years and over must be fully vaccinated to stay at any DOC accommodation. This applies to all huts, lodges and campsites.

The New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) is also adopting the same policy for the use of its huts.

Read more

Victoria and Emilie roll up their sleeves and help restore Stanfield Hut, giving back to the backcountry hut system that has sheltered them along the Te Araroa Trail.

Follow their adventures on Instagram and Facebook, and read the latest digest of their adventures on Wilderlife,

As part of their journey, Victoria and Emilie are raising funds for both the Mental Health Foundation, and the FMC Mountain & Forest Trust through a Givealittle page.

New Zealand’s walk of a lifetime turns 10 this week. And for its birthday it wants to lead more people into the wild.

Since COVID-19, the number of New Zealanders walking the trail has increased significantly. Thousands of international tourists are no longer taking months to walk the length of the 3000km Cape Reinga to Bluff trail. But tens of thousands of New Zealanders are taking a few hours, a day or a week to walk a local segment of the trail instead.

Read more

We’re delighted to welcome these new discount providers for our FMC discount card, we now have more than 60 offers for our members!

Scottish Express offers trip transport in the Nelson region, and will give FMC members a carbon offset for all domestic travel to the region when booking a transport package with them.

Southern Adventure in Invercargill is a non-profit outdoor gear business, with all proceeds going straight back into the local community. FMC members can get 15% off instore, and also register for their VIP card for up to 25% off during sales. 

Access Gear are pioneers in kiwi-made tough bags for caving, canyoning and industrial applications. They also stock a wide range of technical ropes, carabiners and equipment for those applications.  Up to 10% off, contact them directly with your FMC discount card details to get your discount.

Packraft New Zealand are based in Hokitika; they stock Kokopelli packrafts and other accessories. FMC members can get a free lightweight electric pump ($85 value) with any new packraft purchased via bank transfer.

Don’t forget to check out more than 60 other discounts for members, including 30% off Adult DOC Annual Hut passes:

www.fmc.org.nz/discount-card

Have you been thinking about a fancy Garmin watch or InReach for your summer adventure?

FMC has negotiated a member-driven fundraising agreement with Rewarding Concepts where 2% of the purchase price of any member sale goes directly to FMC to support our mission. 

There are thousands of discounted products available, from homewares to electronics to outdoor gear and more.

Until 25 December, get up to 40% off the Garmin Range (including InReach, GPS, smart watches and more). Sale stock is limited so be quick. 

FMC Members can sign up to Rewarding Concepts for free.

See more information on our website.

With Christmas fast approaching, what better present than a tramping anthology?

Tramper, author and past editor of FMC's Backcountry, Shaun Barnett has recently published his latest work: Across the Pass: A collection of New Zealand tramping writing. The book features the work of a range of New Zealanders - from Sir Edmund Hillary and adventurer Graeme Dingle to peace activist Elsie Locke and poet Sam Hunt.

Listen to an interview of Shaun Barnett about his book on Radio New Zealand.

The FMC office will be closed from Friday 24 December 2021, reopening on Monday 17 January 2022. Phone messages and emails will be responded to after the office reopens.

For urgent enquiries, contact FMC President Jan Finlayson or FMC Vice-president Neil Silverwood.

Enjoy your summer adventures!