DOC says paid parking will continue at three popular South Island tourist destinations, with more potential sites expected to be announced later this year.
The money raised will go towards better protecting nature, cultural heritage and other projects. Heritage and visitors director Catherine Wilson said the pilot had been very successful and generally well received by visitors.
âOur monitoring shows that the introduction of paid parking hasnât impacted on the number of visitors to these sites or the use of the car parks,â she said.
Also in this weekâs outdoor news: Can Florida serve as a cautionary tale for NZ conservation land, DOC to vaccinate endangered native birds against bird flu threat, Canterbury rangers reveal their top five winter walks and more.
Missed yesterdayâs feature? Don't get left in the dark, read our 2026 headlamp guide.
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Charity partners
Further Faster isnât just a pretty face. Weâre a store with a big heart and a love of helping our local community by supporting events, charities and initiatives like Walk1200km. We would like to shout out some awesome groups and peeps who are doing great things for the outdoors.
Alpine Rescue Canterbury
These are the volunteers who come to your aid in the mountains when you really need it. They are guides, climbers, doctors and experienced outdoors people who do this out of a desire to give back to the community and for the love of the outdoors. Learn more
Island Hills Station (Mandamus Preservation Reserve)
Island Hills Station houses a nature park of mountain, shrub and forest covering 3300ha under a non-grazing covenant, which includes a 600ha QE II Open Space Covenant. They are improving and enhancing the native biodiversity in this area through predator and weed control in the hope of reintroducing roroa great spotted kiwi. Learn more
Protect Our Winters Aotearoa
POW is a not-for-profit organisation that works with policymakers, businesses and partners to push for real solutions to protect New Zealandâs alpine environment from the damaging effects of climate change. Learn more
Events
Keep your eyes peeled for Further Faster events where 100% of our ticket sales will go towards supporting these amazing organisations (among others). Learn moreÂ
Top reads
Take a look at this week's most read articles at wildernessmag.co.nz.
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Bill McLeod: Mountaineering Legend
Drawn from the letters he wrote to fellow climbers, this book traces Billâs remarkable journey from self-taught novice to tackling the hardest ascents in Aotearoa.
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A shared pastime
Greg and Lynda celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on the summit of Mt Pukeiti
Wilderness readers are a fascinating bunch, and our monthly column is where we get to meet you all.
Greg and Lynda Banks recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary, but their journey began even earlier. The couple met at Fairy Falls in Aucklandâs WaitÄkere Ranges while on their first tramp with West Auckland Tramping Club.
Banks, now a semi-retired electrician living in New Plymouth, has been a tramper for most of his life.
âI like being in the outdoors,â he said. âSometimes it is not the end location; it is the people I am with. Tramping, biking, climbing or even kayaking, most of my outdoor activities are with my wife.â
Heâs also a life member of Taranaki Alpine Club, and has been a member of both Pukekohe and Nga Tapuwae o Tanetua tramping clubs.
Banks said one of his favourite trips was flying into Mason Bay on Rakiura Stewart Island, where he spotted kiwi and walked out to Freshwater Hut.
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Hut of the week ð¡
Photo: DOC
Trains Hut, WaitÅtara Conservation Area
Trains Hut, nestled deep in the WaitÅtara Conservation Area, is a standard six-bunk hut in the Whanganui region. The clearing around the hut is perfect for stargazing and has plenty of flat space to pitch a tent or bivvy if needed.
The current hut was built in 1990 by the Wanganui Tramping Club. It was recently given a new lease on life thanks to collaboration between DOC and the Backcountry Trust. A 15km trip along the rugged Trains Track will take you to the hut.
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