Latest news

Makeover for Commission's website

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission website has been given a makeover to make reading easier and to better highlight the most popular sections of the site. The website changes follow improvements to the Commission’s Accessing New Zealand... Read More

Enhanced Access Fund invites applications

Organisations and individuals undertaking projects to enhance access to the outdoors can now apply for funding through the 2012 round of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund.... Read More

Responsible access urged

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission urges Kiwis to respect other people’s property and the environment when accessing the outdoors this holiday season. Read the Commission's top tips.... Read More

Te Araroa is open

A 3,000km trail from Cape Reinga to the Bluff was opened at a public event in Wellington on 3 December. Te Araroa – which means The Long Pathway – links New Zealand’s most spiritual, historic and scenic locations, opening up an epic hike through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.... Read More

New look for Commission website and e-newsletter

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission has created a new-look e-newsletter and is upgrading its website to make it easier for people to find information about outdoor access and responsible behaviour in the outdoors.... Read More

Access fund invites applications

Organisations and individuals undertaking projects that will enhance access to the outdoors can now apply for funding through the 2012 round of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund.... Read More

Education key to outdoor access

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission will soon begin a public education programme. Commission Chairman John Forbes shares his views on the importance of education in strengthening access culture.... Read More

Popular walkways upgraded in time for Summer

Access along two popular New Zealand walkways has been improved in time for summer, thanks in part to funding from the New Zealand Walking Access Commission.... Read More

News from the field

‘News from the field’ provides a regional roundup of public access topics being worked on by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s regional field advisor network. In each edition, two field advisors will update readers with the latest from their region.... Read More

John Aspinall: uniting force

The loss of esteemed High Country farmer John Aspinall will be felt by farmers and access advocates across the country, says New Zealand Walking Access Commission Chief Executive Mark Neeson.... Read More

Farm leader gained respect of many

Christchurch newspaper The Press has run an obituary about the immense contribution of high country farmer and New Zealand Walking Access Commission Board member John Aspinall.... Read More

Commission mourns board member

The Board and staff of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission offer their sincere condolences to the family of Board member John Aspinall, following his untimely death on Friday 4 November.... Read More

Wairarapa embraces Commission's work

Recreation and landholder representatives and district council councillors from across the Wairarapa met with the New Zealand Walking Access Commission in Masterton on Monday to discuss public access topics in the region.... Read More

New scenic walkway opening in Bay of Islands

The final stage of a walkway that winds through coastal beaches, mangroves and native bush between Okiato and Russell in the Bay of Islands will be officially opened to the public on Saturday, 24 September.... Read More

Mapping system enters new development stage

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission is inviting organisations with an interest in public access to get involved in the next stage of development of its Walking Access Mapping System (www.wams.org.nz).... Read More

NZWAC July newsletter

25 July 2011: The New Zealand Walking Access Commission's July 2011 Accessing New Zealand newsletter is now available. Click on read more to download the PDF.
2011 July issue 06.pdfDownload: 2011 July issue 06.pdf
File Size: 2722kb

Walking Access Mapping System open for public use

People who love the outdoors can now find all publically accessible rivers, mountains, lakes, forests, beaches and legal roads thanks to an online mapping system developed by the Walking Access Commission. The system left testing and opened to the public today.... Read More

Mapping system enhancements make trip planning easier

The Walking Access Commission’s Walking Access Mapping System will be enhanced on Thursday with the addition of a new Tracks and Access Points layer to allow people to better plan travel into the outdoors.... Read More

Communities to benefit from Enhanced Access Fund

Eighteen projects designed to enhance access to New Zealand’s outdoors have been awarded funding through the Walking Access Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund.... Read More

New public access signs available to farmers

Rural Women NZ members who allow public access across their property will soon be able to signpost contact details and access conditions for visitors, thanks to a partnership between Rural Women NZ and the New Zealand Walking Access Commission.... Read More

Strong turnout at Dunedin walking access forum

Organisations and outdoor enthusiasts from across the Otago region attended the New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s regional forum in Dunedin on Monday.... Read More

Statement of Intent

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission has released its Statement of Intent for 2011 - 2016. Download it on the Publications page.... Read More

Dry Acheron Track established in Canterbury

A new walkway, called the Dry Acheron Track, has been established in Canterbury.... Read More

26 April 2011 News Clip

An article about the NZ Walking Access Commission's work appeared in the Autumn 2011 Australasian Parks and Leisure journal.... Read More
WACarticlePLA2011.pdfDownload: WACarticlePLA2011.pdf
File Size: 801kb

Outstanding interest in Enhanced Access Fund

More than 40 groups have applied for a slice of the 2011 Enhanced Access Fund allocation.... Read More

April 2011

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission's CE expense disclosure for the period 01 January to 31 March 2011 is now available on the CE Expenses page.... Read More

March 2011

The Commission's March newsletter is now available.... Read More
2011 March Issue 05.pdfDownload: 2011 March Issue 05.pdf
File Size: 458kb

February 2011

Guidelines for the Management of Unformed Legal Roads document is now available for download from the Publications page.... Read More

January 2011

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission's CE expense disclosure for the period 01 July to 31 December 2010 is now available on the CE Expenses page.... Read More

November 2010

The Commission's November newsletter is now available.... Read More
2010 Nov Newsletter Issue 04.pdfDownload: 2010 Nov Newsletter Issue 04.pdf
File Size: 355kb

July 2010

The Commission's July newsletter is now available.... Read More
2010 July Newsletter Issue 03.pdfDownload: 2010 July Newsletter Issue 03.pdf
File Size: 525kb

March 2010

The Commission's March newsletter is now available.... Read More
2010 March Newsletter Issue 02.pdfDownload: 2010 March Newsletter Issue 02.pdf
File Size: 576kb

November 2009

The Commission's November 2009 newsletter is now available.... Read More
2009 Nov Newsletter Issue 01.pdfDownload: 2009 Nov Newsletter Issue 01.pdf
File Size: 781kb

Walking Access Code Released

Agriculture Minister David Carter launched the New Zealand Walking Access Code for the New Zealand Walking Access Commission at a function in Wellington on 30th June 2010. The Code can be viewed on the Outdoor Access Code page.... Read More

Walking Access Commission Board Minutes

3 October 2011 1 August 2011 30 May 2011 15 March 2011  15 February 2011 22 November 2010 27 October 2010 13 September 2010 2 August 2010 14 June 2010 26 April 2010 ... Read More