Four-wheel driving responsibly

Accessing the outdoors in a four-wheel drive

Making tracks: advice from an expert

Exploring some of New Zealand’s rarely travelled public and private roads by four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is an exhilarating experience.

4WD enthusiast and member of the New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association, Roger Seymour, says “We are privileged in this country to be able to enjoy this thrill on certain access ways, like unformed legal roads. But this opportunity comes with responsibilities.

“We can not take this access for granted. We must be mindful that we share the trails and access ways with other recreationalists. Our 4x4 vehicles are more intrusive than simply walking or biking and can get a bad reputation. Caring for the environment and acting responsibly will reduce conflict among outdoor enthusiasts and help protect access to recreational opportunities in the future.”

The New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association recommends that all people wishing to go off-road join a 4WD Club and participate in the Club trips.

“It is safer, and clubs have already organised access with landowners, so there are more options for places to go,” says Roger.

Roger’s advice for how to make the most of 4WD experiences include always travelling as two or more vehicles together on tracks. “We all think nothing will go wrong until it does, but there are so many things to look out for on rough tracks. You can get stuck in water or mud or snow or deep ruts. The rough terrain can cause vehicle breakages, and crossing rivers is particularly dangerous,” he says.

“When one vehicle is alone, there isn’t much you can do if you have a problem. Three vehicles are even better to ensure a quicker recovery if one vehicle gets stuck.”

“Caring for the environment and acting responsibly will reduce conflict among outdoor enthusiasts and help protect access to recreational opportunities in the future.”

What does the Outdoor Access Code say?

Herenga ā Nuku has more guidelines for responsible care and behaviour while driving 4WD vehicles in the New Zealand Outdoor Access Code published on its website. These include:

• keep strictly to formed tracks
• minimise vehicle damage, such as deep ruts
• do not leave vehicles where they block or obstruct gateways, tracks or entrances
• ensure that any access right or permission includes the use of motor vehicles if this is the intention
• even where access with vehicles is legally allowed, such as on an unformed legal road, it is a courtesy to notify the adjacent landholder, especially where the access crosses unfenced farmland, and
• note that formed tracks may not necessarily be on the line of the legal road

Further advice and guidance on accessing the outdoors by 4WD can be found on the websites of the New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association.