Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) has confirmed that, despite Department of Conservation (DOC) signage and its website listing the track to Harwood’s Hole as closed, DOC has acknowledged the track is not legally closed and the public can still access the area.

FMC President Megan Dimozantos said it was unacceptable and reflects a wider pattern of inappropriate track closures across the conservation estate.

“Legislation sets the bar for closures on public conservation land quite high for a good reason, and that is to prevent inappropriate closures or loss of public access.”

Also in this week’s The World Outdoors: Man skateboards from Mexico to Alaska, old photos reveal changes in West Coast marine environment, Banks Peninsula property becomes regional park and more!

Missed yesterday’s feature?*

Celia Hogan, co-chair of Education Outdoors New Zealand, shares the three trips that have changed her life.

“Much of my work focuses on helping families and teachers nurture children’s connection to nature, courage and resilience,” she says. “These three trips shaped that path. Each one taught me something essential about presence, capability and how wild places change us.”

*Editor’s note: It turns out many of you did miss it. Due to a technical glitch with yesterday's email many readers did not see the feature story from Celia. We apologise for the error.

Take a look at this week's most read articles at wildernessmag.co.nz.

Jubilee Hut offers Otago trampers a good chance to stretch their legs without being out all weekend. In fact, this hut can be reached by trail from Dunedin's CBD by connecting trails beginning near the botanic gardens.

The current ten-bunk hut was officially opened on 10 May 2007 by the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club & DOC. It replaced the old hut that was built for the 25th Jubilee of the Otago Tramping Club in 1948.

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