Photo: DB Thats-Me, CC 3.0
FMC has stated in a recent press release that they are deeply disappointed by the Fast-Track Panel’s final decision to approve Westpower’s Hydro Scheme in the largely untouched Waitaha River.
FMC President, Megan Dimozantos, said the decision is a blow to all recreationalists and New Zealanders who value wild places. “Waitaha is one of the country’s last truly intact wild river gorges. It’s visited by trampers, canyoners, and whitewater paddlers, and it sits on public conservation land.“
FMC made repeated attempts to ensure the Panel received accurate information about the scheme’s recreational effects, including flagging false and misleading content in Westpower’s application. The Panel declined FMC’s request to comment.
Also in this week’s outdoor news: Disabled kea achieves social dominance using unique technique, DOC warns of 'unprecedented threat' from proposed gold mine and more.
Missed yesterday’s feature? Pick the perfect puffer with our 2026 guide to insulated jackets.
Choose wilderness over Wi-Fi
The Kids Unplagged whānau on the Whanganui River
A Bay of Plenty filmmaking whānau is encouraging tamariki to get off their devices and into the outdoors.
Anton Steel, Kylie Dellabarca Steel and their sons Malachi (15), Judah (12) and Ezra (7) have created a web documentary series, Kids Unplugged.
The six-part series is about ‘real kids having real adventures’: tramping to huts, riding horses, gathering kai, building mountain bike trails and more.
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!
Hut of the week 🏡
Photo: Doris Neubauer
Daly’s Clearing circuit, Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park
This two-room, 16-bunk hut is a great place to bring a family. The small clearing outside provides space for camping.
The hut is maintained by the Manukau Tramping Club on behalf of the Kaimai Ridgeway Trust.
It was built by the Waitawheta Camp Society near the Waitawheta River on a long weekend in 1975, and much of the funding came from Jaycees. In 1982, DOC decided to shift it further away from the road by splitting the hut into three sections and flying it up to the present site.
Have a hut you want to see featured? Send an email to [email protected] with which hut and why you’d like to see it featured.
Featured Book
Epic: Adventures across Aotearoa
Prepare to be awed and inspired by Epic which highlights the highs and lows of boundary-pushing adventure.
Subscribers get a 10% discount.
Want to receive fewer emails? Did you know you can select the days of the week you receive Wilderness Daily? Update your preferences here.
