Windproof, breathable and – most important of all – waterproof, a rain jacket is a practical and comfortable piece of kit as well as a survival necessity.
In our 2026 guide, we look at the important factors to consider when choosing a new jacket and 11 of this year's top-performing options.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We featured Ray Salisbury’s rugged 100km journey through Lake Sumner Forest Park in our latest Off the Beaten Track. Bonus: subscribers can listen to Ray’s Q&A about the trip in our latest podcast episode!
📸 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 returns for 2026!
The search is on for the best outdoor photographers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Now’s the time to submit the top images from your adventures. It’s also not too late to get clicking. You have until April 26, 2026 to enter.
This year’s generous prize pool has over $3500 worth of camera gear from Panasonic Lumix. The three submission categories are:
Huts and camping
Out there
Wildlife
Quiz
This is from a NZ Topo50 map, which has a scale of 1:50000. You are on the Blue Valley Track by the island in Blue River to the right of this picture. You are heading to the high point at 744. The approximate distance of this is?
A - 800m
B - 400m
C - 8km
D - 4km
E - 2km
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
Six gear and food items to help you walk more in April
From a scrumptious granola, to comfy socks, to a lightweight tent and everything in between; this month we feature six gear and food items from our Walk1200km partners to help you cover the distance.
Current Issue - April 2026
Should you go NOBO or SOBO on TA, enter the Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition, why autumn is the season for Queen Charlotte Track, mapped trip reports, gear guides and dozens more articles!
Need another reason to subscribe?
Wilderness subscribers get exclusive discounts with our 25+ retail and service partners when they use their Wildcard in-store or online.
Just a few purchases could cover the cost of your Wilderness subscription!
The weekend weather at a park near you…
| Location | Today | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Hut |
 6°/7°
|
7°/10°
|
 7°/13°
|
 6°/12°
|
| Aoraki/Mt Cook VC |
9°/13°
|
 10°/19°
|
15°/20°
|
12°/19°
|
| Arthurs Pass |
10°/13°
|
13°/17°
|
14°/17°
|
12°/17°
|
| Ben Lomond Summit |
5°/9°
|
6°/11°
|
6°/13°
|
6°/11°
|
| Brewster Hut |
7°/9°
|
8°/12°
|
9°/11°
|
8°/11°
|
| Cape Reinga |
19°/21°
|
 18°/22°
|
 17°/23°
|
18°/22°
|
| Karangahake Gorge |
16°/18°
|
17°/20°
|
17°/23°
|
17°/22°
|
| Kaweka J Summit |
5°/7°
|
6°/9°
|
9°/15°
|
7°/16°
|
| McKinnon Pass |
9°/13°
|
10°/13°
|
10°/12°
|
10°/12°
|
| Mt Heale Hut |
16°/17°
|
17°/18°
|
18°/20°
|
18°/19°
|
| Mt Pirongia |
11°/12°
|
11°/15°
|
12°/19°
|
 12°/18°
|
| Mueller Hut |
4°/6°
|
6°/11°
|
9°/11°
|
8°/11°
|
| Pinnacles Hut |
14°/14°
|
14°/16°
|
15°/19°
|
14°/19°
|
| Pouakai Hut |
9°/10°
|
10°/13°
|
9°/16°
|
7°/15°
|
| Powell Hut |
8°/9°
|
9°/14°
|
9°/14°
|
8°/15°
|
| Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC |
11°/13°
|
11°/16°
|
13°/21°
|
11°/19°
|
| Roys Peak |
5°/9°
|
7°/11°
|
7°/14°
|
7°/13°
|
| Tongariro VC |
10°/12°
|
12°/14°
|
13°/18°
|
11°/17°
|
| Waitawheta Hut |
14°/15°
|
15°/17°
|
16°/21°
|
15°/20°
|
| Woolshed Creek Hut |
9°/12°
|
10°/18°
|
12°/20°
|
10°/16°
|
Report created on 26 March, 2026 at 07:00am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.
Featured Book
Kid Friendly Adventures: Waikato, Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau
Over 250 activities suitable for children, from Port Waikato and Miranda to Rotorua, Taupo and Mount Ruapehu. Outdoor walks, activities, tips and tricks for anyone wanting to get kids into the fresh air.
Subscribers get a 10% discount.
Quiz
Answer D - 4km
On a Topo50 map, the blue grid lines are 1km apart in the horizontal and vertical directions. The distance you need to travel is approximately the distance across four blue squares, which is about 4km.
You could get a better estimate by measuring it with a piece of string and matching that against the scale on the map. Some compass lanyards have the distances marked on them, which can be used directly on the map if printed at the original scale.
Quiz provided by Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand.
Want to receive fewer emails? Did you know you can select the days of the week you receive Wilderness Daily? Update your preferences here.
