Les Molloy elected FMC patron
While the general election stole the headlines on Saturday, another important election took place in Wellington at the same time:
Les Molloy was elected FMC patron by member clubs during a General Meeting, after the passing of Arnold Heine last year.
Les is widely considered the ‘father’ of Wilderness Areas in New Zealand. He wrote the Wilderness Policy (the document laying out the purpose and management of gazetted wilderness areas), and was the main architect of the Recreational Opportunity Spectrum concept (the idea of ‘Zones’ to cater for the needs of different recreational users, which is at the heart of all of New Zealand’s National Park management plans).
FMC is proud to have Les as a patron. We cannot think of a person better suited. We would like to thank all the club delegates who attended the General Meeting to honour Les.
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We’re excited to share the new FMC Executive Committee, taking office on June 1 2026.
For over ten years, FMC has been involved in efforts to protect the Waitaha River. FMC made its first submission opposing the scheme in 2016, celebrated it being declined in 2019, and has spent the past 12 months fighting for a voice through the Fast-Track process. Throughout it all, FMC has been advocating for the Waitaha, publicly and behind the scenes.
FMC has submitted on a proposed land exchange that would see 29.7 hectares of conservation land in the eastern Ruahine Forest Park swapped for 170 hectares of private land, to enable the construction of a dam and reservoir on the Makaroro River.
