The Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) is deeply disappointed by the Fast-Track Panel’s final decision to approve Westpower’s Hydro Scheme in the pristine, largely untouched Waitaha River.

FMC has co-signed an open letter with Forest & Bird, Greenpeace, NZ Canyoning Association, Buller Tramping Club, and former Whitewater NZ President Kev England, urging the Fast Track Panel to protect the Waitaha River in the Morgan Gorge - one of New Zealand's last pristine wild river gorges.

Federated Mountain Clubs has submitted feedback on the concession tender process currently underway for the Molesworth Recreation Reserve, one of New Zealand's most significant backcountry destinations and an area of diverse and growing recreational use.

Our 2025 annual report is now live. The report provides an overview of our work throughout 2025, highlighting our wins, financial summary, and upcoming projects in the pipeline.

Federated Mountain Clubs and the Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust have recently submitted on the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill (HSWA), on behalf of 15 different outdoor recreation organisations.

The Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) is deeply disappointed by the Fast Track Panel's draft decision to approve Westpower's application for [...]

UPDATE as at 13 March, 2026: Following our public call for DOC to change its closure notice for Harwood’s Hole in Abel Tasman National [...]

FMC is calling for new members to join the Executive team.

FMC has now submitted on the Planning and Natural Environment Bills, which are set to replace the Resource Management Act. We have recommended several amendments to the proposed bills.

FMC opposes the Winstone Pulp International Limited resource consent application to enable the discharge of treated pulp mill wastewater, stormwater and a foam inhibitor to the Whangaehu River.

FMC is looking for the right candidate to appoint to the Maerewhenua Trust Board.

FMC is looking for the right candidate to appoint to the Federated Mountain Clubs Mountain & Forest Trust Board of Trustees.

Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand is calling for the withdrawal of the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill in a submission to the Environment Committee.

The Department of Conservation is trialling car parking fees at White Horse Hill (Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park), Franz Josef, and Dolomite Point (Punakaiki) starting December 2025.

In September Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) submitted feedback opposing government proposals to move Outdoor Education (OE) out of the NCEA senior [...]

Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) has alerted the Fast-track Approvals Panel Convenor to false and misleading information in Westpower’s fast-track application [...]

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced proposals to trial car park charges at Dolomite Point (Punakaiki) and Franz Josef from October 2025 [...]

Conservation law exists to protect Aotearoa’s public whenua — and because it is public, New Zealand public should keep having a voice in [...]

Federated Mountain Clubs has made a submission opposing the South Wairarapa District Council’s proposed Paper Road Access Bylaw 2025. The bylaw would close [...]

“The purpose of the conservation estate and the Department of Conservation is in its name: Conservation,” says FMC President Megan Dimozantos, responding to [...]

“New Zealanders must retain their right to enjoy the places that define who we are,” says FMC Executive Board Member Raymond Ford, in [...]