Gary Wilton receives Outdoor Access Champion award 2019
Photo by Dot Dalziell

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Outdoor Access Champion Awards

The Outdoor Access Champion awards recognise those who have made significant and lasting contributions to public access to the outdoors in New Zealand, whether through securing new legal access, championing public rights of access, trail building, or contributing to an understanding of access rights and responsibilities.

These awards are New Zealand’s way of saying thanks to some of the wonderful people who have helped open up the great outdoors to the public.

We encourage people to think about their local champions — both individuals and groups — and put forward a nomination for consideration. Nominations for 2025 have now closed. Our Board will select and announce the successful nominees in November 2024, and we will present the awards in 2025.

The awards were inaugurated in 2013.

Previous recipients of Outdoor Access Champion awards

 

Whangawehi Catchment Management Group

Whangawehi Catchment Management Group wins award for Te Aratia Walkway

7/05/2024, 10:01 am

The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group will receive a national award on Friday for its exceptional efforts in creating the Te Aratia Walkway.

Edwin Sheppard climbing Badlands, Whanganui Bay

Climbing Trust wins award for restoring access to crags

3/04/2024, 9:20 am

The Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) has won an Outdoor Access Champion Award for advocating public access to climbing areas.

Walking Magazine

Manawatū magazine publisher wins award for promoting walking

11/03/2024, 4:53 pm

Frank Goldingham received an Outdoor Access Champion Award, recognising his work as the editor of Walking New Zealand Magazine, which he started in 1996.