In early March all member clubs will receive information related to membership renewal for 2022 and nominations for the Executive.

Start thinking now about whether there is someone in your club who would like to join our Executive to advocate on behalf of all our membership.

As Jan Finlayson's third consecutive one-year term as FMC President comes to an end in May 2022, this year clubs will also vote for a new president.

The 508 page draft Regional Parks Management Plan prepared by Auckland Council is now open for public submissions. The FMC submission is in draft, and will soon be available for clubs to review and follow or support with their own submissions.

Key points in the FMC submission are:

1. It is critical that all regional parks have strong recreation stakeholders to represent the wide range of recreation users of the parks. It is proposed that both FMC and Friends of Regional Parks are added as a key stakeholder for each park, and for some specific proposed recreation reviews for the Waitākere and Hūnua Regional Parks.

2. There are a number of proposals aimed at managing congested tracks, including one way tracks, track charges, and for new tracks favouring loop tracks over through walks. We disagree with these proposals, arguing that congested tracks indicate a high urgency for additional tracks to better spread the number of people who are keen for outdoor experiences in our parks. Before track closures the number and variety of tracks available did a great job of spreading the high volume of park users.

3. The absence of an overall regional park strategic assessment of current and future needs of the Auckland region.

4. The need to move past lip service to active measures to reduce the carbon emissions of all park activities.

5. The absence in the RPMP of firm, funded and prioritised commitments to achieve all the nice-to-have intentions so well enumerated in the document.

6. A need for Auckland Council to be communicating with park users on a regular basis, rather than just via an annual report and one on one contacts with Auckland Council staff.

7. No legal roads, formed or unformed, should be closed.

FMC encourages clubs with an interest in these issues to consider submitting. A short explanation of who you are, why you're interested then an endorsement of FMC's submission is a helpful contribution. Read our submissions resource on Wilderlife to learn why and see examples. Also, it provides tips & tactics when writing your own detailed submissions. The more we can show the managers that we are interested and have a stake in these issues, the more weight our collective voice carries. For more info on this submission or the submission process, please contact FMC Exec member Tony Walton tony.walton@fmc.org.nz.

Submissions on Lowburn Valley tenure review are currently open, until 7 March 2022.

FMC is working on a submission. We aim to send it in well before the closing date, and to upload it on our website for all interested members to draw from to assist the writing of their own submissions.

Keep an eye on our website for any updates.

The preliminary proposal for the station's tenure review is available on the LINZ website.

"Scant due diligence has been done", in DOC's stewardship reclassification project, says FMC president Jan Finlayson. She says the land "is being treated very frivolously. DOC needs to take it much more seriously." She has asked DOC to pause the work until significant issues, such as treatment of conflict of interest and DOC's interpretation of 'significance', are sorted out.

Stewardship land is 9% of New Zealand; 2.7 million hectares of mainly forested land. Most likely has high conservation values, but has not been assessed. The stewardship category was meant to be temporary, pending assessment and appropriate classification, such as national park or scenic reserve. It can also be given low status or be disposed of.

With only a fraction of the reclassification job done in DOC's 35 years, Acting Conservation Minister Ayesha Verrall's 2021 announcement that the Government was accelerating it was welcome. FMC has long campaigned for reclassification, but the work must be done right.

Read more in the news

Through the generous support of the Maerewhenua Trust, these cash grants help candidates of the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award and Scouts NZ's Venturer Award with the cost of their backcountry journeys and expeditions.

Check out some of the stories of past recipients on Wilderlife.

The next round of applications close on 15th March 2022. Visit our website to learn more and to apply. 

We are aware of the challenges surrounding COVID19 protocols for trip planning, and are committed to be as flexible as we can be to support recipients of the grant. 

FMC is compiling accounts of classic journeys through our gazetted wilderness areas. The latest is a guide to a packrafting trip from Makarora, through the Olivine Wilderness into South-Westland’s mighty Waiatoto River.

Learn about all the wilderness area classic trips on our Wilderlife blog.

This event is fundraising for the addition of a purpose-built bouldering addition to the club-run and community funded climbing facility in Te Anau.

Kids speed climbing, discount for mums, redpoint competition, pump style lead climbing and forearm photo comp with local food and beverage on sale. 

Run by the Fiordland Endurance and Adventure Racing (FEAR) Society, which is an FMC affiliated club based in Te Anau. 

Visit www.facebook.com/fiordlandwall for full details. 

Mountain Journeys: Transalpine trips and training

Mountain Journeys specialises in guided off-track transalpine tramping trips. 

"Our journeys are self-sufficient: all food and equipment for each trip is carried on our backs, and we don't use air access. We also provide instruction courses covering river crossing, navigation, advanced navigation, and snow skills". 

FMC members receive 10% off training courses, and 5% off guided trips.

mountainjourneys.co.nz

Real Meals freeze-dried food

Created by Nathan Fa'avae (six time adventure racing world champion) in 2012, Real Meals provide a wide range of freeze-dried outdoor breakfasts, dinners, desserts and snacks, with dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian options.

Previously branded as Absolute Wilderness, in September 2021 they rebranded to "reflect the ‘real’ nature of our meals which are chef-made, not assembled from pre-dried ingredients. It takes us more time but it tastes better".

FMC card holders can get 15% off meals ordered online using code FMC2022. 

www.realmeals.co.nz

Loose Line clothing

Based in Nelson, Loose Line is where NZ art meets dirt. We illustrate our fabrics by hand-drawing a mix of NZ fauna and other kiwi inspired things.

The gear is made tough and original using the best quick-dry fabric we can source, you can wear them biking, running, hiking and wherever the outdoors takes you.

FMC card holders get 10% off all purchases online using the code FMC10. 

www.looseline.co.nz

Peak Safety: outdoor first aid training

Peak Safety run courses in outdoor first aid all across NZ.

Of specific interest to FMC members are their 1&2 day outdoor first aid courses, and the comprehensive 5 day pre-hospital emergency care (PHEC) courses. Contact them to discuss tailored courses for your club. All first aid courses like this are eligible for support via FMC’s Training Grant. 

FMC members who sign up for a course and show their discount card will receive a free moldable splint (aka ‘Sam Splint’)

www.peaksafety.co.nz

Need a new packliner for your autumn adventures?  Updated in 2021, with the FMC logo and Fred Vosseler's rallying cry, these show your support for our work, as well as keep your gear dry!

Available in multi-packs, starting at $4 per liner. 

www.fmc.org.nz/sales