Our 2026 Mother's Day gift guide will help you pick the perfect gift!
Take a look at our favourite outdoor gift ideas, including gear, clothing and unforgettable experiences to share with mum.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? With Mother’s Day around the corner, we asked two readers what they love about tramping with their mothers.
📸 Enter the 2026 Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition
Joshua Wilson’s image of the sunset view over Brewster Hut won the 2025 Huts and Camping category and the overall Outdoor Photographer of the Year title.
The Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition is back in 2026! The search is on for the best outdoor photographers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Entries close Sunday.
This year’s generous prize pool has over $3500 worth of camera gear from Panasonic Lumix.
Quiz
You reach a river that feeds from steep, rocky alpine terrain. The river levels are high and it is flowing fast. The rain stopped an hour ago and the mountains that feed the river look clear. The best course of action is:
A - Cross now because the rain has stopped.
B - Turn back because the river will be uncrossable for a day or two.
C - It will be safe to cross if you can’t hear the rocks rumble.
D - Wait, the river levels are likely to drop quite quickly.
E - Cross as soon as you see the river levels dropping.
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
Gear to get you walking more this month 🥾
As the seasons change, it can be hard to keep up your walking routine. Shorter, colder days can zap motivation. These excellent ideas will help you lace up your boots and get out the door.
Current Issue - May 2026
Trips with mum, visit the new Brass Monkey Hut on the Lewis Pass tops, two Wilderness gear experts explain why they're bucking the ultralight trend, mapped trip reports, gear guides and dozens more articles!
The weekend weather at a park near you…
It’s looking like a fantastic weekend across the motu!
| Location | Today | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Hut |
 0°/7°
|
 0°/9°
|
-1°/10°
|
-1°/9°
|
| Aoraki/Mt Cook VC |
4°/16°
|
6°/17°
|
5°/18°
|
8°/17°
|
| Arthurs Pass |
4°/13°
|
5°/14°
|
3°/15°
|
3°/13°
|
| Ben Lomond Summit |
-4°/6°
|
-2°/8°
|
-2°/7°
|
-2°/7°
|
| Brewster Hut |
-1°/8°
|
-1°/8°
|
-1°/9°
|
-2°/7°
|
| Cape Reinga |
15°/20°
|
14°/19°
|
14°/19°
|
15°/18°
|
| Karangahake Gorge |
10°/19°
|
7°/16°
|
6°/17°
|
4°/16°
|
| Kaweka J Summit |
 -1°/3°
|
-3°/6°
|
-2°/10°
|
-2°/10°
|
| McKinnon Pass |
1°/9°
|
3°/8°
|
 3°/8°
|
 4°/8°
|
| Mt Heale Hut |
13°/17°
|
12°/15°
|
13°/15°
|
14°/15°
|
| Mt Pirongia |
5°/13°
|
2°/11°
|
0°/12°
|
2°/11°
|
| Mueller Hut |
1°/9°
|
6°/10°
|
6°/12°
|
6°/9°
|
| Pinnacles Hut |
9°/15°
|
6°/12°
|
7°/12°
|
4°/13°
|
| Pouakai Hut |
4°/10°
|
1°/9°
|
0°/9°
|
2°/10°
|
| Powell Hut |
1°/7°
|
0°/10°
|
2°/9°
|
1°/10°
|
| Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC |
4°/16°
|
1°/17°
|
-0°/18°
|
2°/17°
|
| Roys Peak |
-3°/7°
|
-1°/9°
|
-2°/9°
|
-0°/9°
|
| Tongariro VC |
2°/12°
|
-0°/12°
|
0°/13°
|
1°/13°
|
| Waitawheta Hut |
8°/16°
|
6°/13°
|
5°/14°
|
4°/14°
|
| Woolshed Creek Hut |
4°/10°
|
2°/14°
|
3°/14°
|
5°/15°
|
Report created on 30 April, 2026 at 06:56am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.
Featured Book
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Quiz
Answer D: Wait, the river levels are likely to drop quite quickly.
Rivers fed by rocky terrain are more prone to rapid rises and falls in river levels. The rocks prevent the water from soaking in. On steep terrain, gravity speeds the runoff. This means the river levels should drop quickly after the rain stops.
Quiz provided by Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand.
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