Knowledge

We have information about accessing the outdoors responsibly - including roads and walkways, rivers and lakes, and private land. We also have information on creating new access, private land and what to do when there is a dispute.

Got a question not answered here?

Please contact us and we'll do our best to help

Access

Information about accessing the outdoors, including how to resolve disputes, accessing private land, the overseas investors, unformed legal roads and other forms of access.

Responsible behaviour

Asking permission, caring for the environment, motor vehicles, carrying a gun, mountain bikes, horses, fires and other information from our Outdoor Access Code.

Health and safety

Find out about the obligations for landholders when they have recreational visitors on their land.

Māori land

Māori access to wāhi tapu on private land, and gaining permission to access Māori land under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

Funding and awards

Enhanced Access Grants, the Outdoor Access Champion Wards, free signs for private land with access on it and the JH Aspinall Scholarship.

Rivers, lakes and coast

Public access along rivers, lakes and the coast - including marginal strips, esplanade reserves, esplanade strips and access strips. The effects of erosion on access.