We're pleased to share some welcome news for New Zealand's backcountry hunting and outdoor community. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Conservation and the Backcountry Trust, marking the next stage for a Trust that has restored huts and tracks across the country for nearly a decade.
NZDA was a founding member of the Backcountry Trust when it was established in 2014, alongside other recreational user groups, and we have remained closely involved ever since. This is a genuine cross-recreational-sector win, and one we're proud to have a hand in.
NZDA's Position
NZDA fully supports this MOU. We hold representation within the Backcountry Trust and have a direct interest in seeing this partnership succeed, so this outcome matters to us as much as it does to every hunter who relies on backcountry huts and tracks.
This weekend, NZDA CEO Gwyn Thurlow, National President Trevor Dibben, and board member Stuart Langslow attended the Backcountry Trust AGM.
Photographs: Backcountry Trust AGM
Photograph: Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager was in attendance and gave a keynote speech.
Key Points of The Release
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DOC and the Backcountry Trust will develop a national operational agreement to formalise and strengthen their working relationship.
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The MOU builds on $4.2 million in funding the Backcountry Trust has received from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy since 2024.
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That funding has already supported hut restoration and track work across the country, including hunting bases like Venison Tops Hut in Kaweka Forest Park and track work in the Silverpeaks north of Dunedin.
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The agreement aims to ensure a resilient, publicly accessible backcountry hut and track network for the long term.
Why It Matters
Backcountry huts and tracks are the backbone of hunting access in New Zealand. A stronger, better resourced partnership between DOC and the Backcountry Trust means more huts maintained, more tracks kept open, and a more secure future for the places hunters rely on. NZDA's continued involvement ensures the hunting community's interests stay represented as this work develops.
What's Next
We'll keep members updated as the national operational agreement takes shape. In the meantime, you can read the Minister's full statement and keep an eye on our socials for photos from the AGM weekend.
