After years of advocacy from outdoor groups, we are celebrating a significant win — changes to health and safety legislation which will help reopen access to outdoor spaces that have been restricted or closed due to landowners’ liability concerns.
Changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, announced by the government yesterday, provide clarity that landowners will not be held responsible if people get injured on their land while hunting, fishing, tramping, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, free flying, and more. This is an absolutely positive step for outdoor enthusiasts, as it removes a major barrier that has previously hindered access to both private and public land for activities.
Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) President Megan Dimozantos is stoked about the news: “This is great news for the outdoor community! While we’re still waiting to see the finer details of the changes, it seems like an excellent step forward on creating clarity for landowners and improving public access to public land.”
FMC and the Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) jointly led a coalition of 12 recreation organisations last year, urging the government to amend the healthy and safety laws and remove barriers that were restricting access to outdoor spaces. This successful outcome highlights the power of collaboration and the impact of strong advocacy from the outdoor community.
Public access to Aotearoa’s stunning landscapes and the freedom to recreate in the outdoors are fundamental to Kiwi culture. This achievement not only benefits outdoor enthusiasts but reinforces the importance of ensuring access to the land we all cherish.
Photo: Ohau River by Peter Davis
