2026 So Far: Highlights from FMC

We're already more than halfway through 2026, and FMC has been hard at work representing the voices of 23,000 outdoor recreation enthusiasts across New Zealand. 

Some of our highlights so far include: 

• Meeting with Ministers and submitting on major national issues, including the Conservation Amendment Bill, the Planning and Natural Environment Bills, and the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, including working with government to re-word some recreation legislation.  

• Advocating on regional issues such as access impacts on the proposed fast-track land exchange application for the Tukituki Hydro scheme, DOC's disposal of the Evangeline Bivvy, and illegal closures at Harwoods Hole Track, which DOC quickly corrected following our engagement.  

• Welcoming our new Executive Team, including new President Allan Brent and Vice President Liz Wightwick who have both hit the ground running and been crucial in our engagements about the Conservation Amendment Bill in particular.  

• The 2025-26 Love Our Huts seasons was a success, with volunteers getting out into the backcountry to clean, maintain, and collect data for more than 250 huts. We can't wait for this season, which we've already begun planning for.  

You can read more about what we've been working on over the past six months here.

We couldn't do any of this without the support of our members and partners. If you care about the outdoors and recreation in New Zealand, please consider joining or donating so we can continue our work to protect the backcountry for you.