Federated Mountain Clubs FMC Newsletter April 2022
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Candidates for FMC President in 2022/23 are Neil Silverwood (left) and Robin McNeill (right)
FMC President Election 2022
 

Nominations for the FMC Executive 2022/23 closed in the first week of April. Two candidates have put their name forward for the position of President: Neil Silverwood and Robin McNeill. We are therefore holding an election.

A mailout about the election was sent to all clubs on Tuesday. You can find information about the President candidates and (for clubs only) on how to vote at this link: 

https://www.fmc.org.nz/executive/election-2022/

The new FMC Executive will be announced after the election’s closing date on 18 May 2022. In the next term, Allan Brent will be succeeding Neil Silverwood as FMC Vice President. Jan Finlayson will be immediate past president for one year.
 
FMC launches stewardship land map
 

FMC has produced a map of the nation's stewardship land.

You can now take a tour around the stewardship estate, subject of FMC's Forgotten Lands campaign, and see for yourself which areas are included - and what's at stake in the fast-tracked reclassification work now underway.

Then map includes stewardship parcels' land areas, kilometres of tracks, and mountain bike, whitewater, and caving hotspots.

You can find the map at:

www.fmc.org.nz/campaigns/forgotten-lands

Read more on our website
 
Cheap websites, email and storage for clubs
 

Wondering how to get your club set up with these vital tools, but don't know where to start, or don't have a budget? Take a look at our latest Outdoor Community resource on Wilderlife to find out how.
 

High Country on Mt St Bathans, featuring sparsely vegetated alpine landscapes and nationally significant rock glaciers. Photo (c) Danilo Hegg
Agreement reached for Dunstan Downs tenure review
 

FMC is delighted that 99% of Dunstan Downs Crown pastoral lease will become conservation land as a result of the property's tenure review.

It’s outcomes like this that help us keep up the hard work when it comes to writing submissions.

Read more on our website
 

Up high on Mt Ruapehu. Photo (c) Megan Dimozantos
Mt Ruapehu car parking
 

FMC has been advocating strongly for equal parking access for all at Mount Ruapehu.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) recently announced that it will not be implementing bookable parking for the 2022 winter season for a number of reasons. We welcome this decision and applaud RAL and DOC for it.

Access to National Parks should be equal for everyone, regardless of whether they are a paying customer of a concessionaire.
 

Griffin Creek. Photo (c) Ben Sarten
Submission on stewardship land reclassification process
 

Last year, the Government announced the following measures to accelerate stewardship reclassification: the establishment of two national expert panels to assess the land and recommend classifications to the Minister of Conservation, and law changes which aim to streamline reclassification.

FMC wishes to see stewardship land reclassified, but the task must be undergone with the conservation legislation’s kaupapa front and centre at every step.

Expeditiousness is a poor friend to robust processes. With stakes as high as they are in the process of determining stewardship land’s future, clear focus on principle and faultless due diligence is essential - not only for their own sakes, but to insure against own goals of wrong outcomes and legal challenge.

Read more on our website.
 
Stodys Hut to Arrowtown - A Climb Through History
 

After reaching Lake Hawea, Victoria and Emilie take on a challenging alpine trek through the historic Motatapu Track, traversing beech forest, tussocks, and sub-alpine scenery.

Read more here

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 FMC Mountain & Forest Trust and the Mental Health Foundation, through a Givealittle page. They have raised over $22,000 thus far.
 
Tararua Tramping Club hall hire
 

Tararua Tramping Club has a hall (capacity 145) and a meeting room (capacity 12) for hire. The rooms have been used for everything from election meetings to alternative theatre. The acoustics are great: a lot of the time you don’t need the sound system.

The venue is close to major transport routes, and parking is free for up to two hours in local streets during the week, and all day at weekends.

To make a booking please use the clubrooms booking inquiry form or contact Owen Watson by email or on 027 429 6695.
 
FMC Membership benefits - Marlborough Tour Company
 

We are delighted to welcome Marlborough Tour Company to our member benefits scheme. Whether you’re walking or biking the Queen Charlotte Track, having lunch or staying at Furneaux Lodge or Punga Cove, or just want to get out for a cruise, Marlborough Tour Company will get you and your gear where you want to go.

The Pelorus Mailboat has been delivering mail by water to the residents of Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere in the Marlborough Sounds since 1918. Enjoy a 20% discount on all cruises (excludes Explore Kenepuru Cruise).

The Cougar Line provides transfers around the Queen Charlotte Track and Marlborough Sounds. Enjoy a 15% discount on all cruises (excludes Cruise & Lunch).

Applies: 1st May – 30th September 2022. Direct bookings only.

Check out our membership benefits page for more information.
 
FMC Membership benefits - Whale Watch Kaikōura
 

Whale Watch Kaikōura have updated their offer to FMC and are now offering a 50% discount on adult fares for FMC members, family and friends.

Offer is valid for tours between 1 May and 31 August 2022, bookings open 1 April.
 
Donate to the Mountain & Forest Trust

To support activities such as research, projects related to outdoor recreation, legal work, books, and more.
Maerewhenua Trust

FMC is grateful for the continued significant support from the Maerewhenua Trust. The contributions allow FMC to have a much wider reach and impact, and FMC's volunteers to focus on the core purposes of the organization.
FMC Discount Card

Make the most of your FMC Discount Card for savings on travel and touring, outdoor gear, magazines and digital accounts.
Backcountry magazine: sustainable in print?

In light of climate change, have you ever wondered why FMC continues to print its Backcountry magazine?

“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)

Copyright © 2022 Federated Mountain Clubs NZ (Inc), All rights reserved.

Editor: Danilo Hegg. Feedback welcome to eo@fmc.org.nz

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Federated Mountain Clubs
PO Box 1604
Wellington, 6140
New Zealand

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