The Tiaki Promise

Tiaki means to care for people, place and culture

New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here is responsible for looking after it.

The Outdoor Access Code supports the Tiaki Promise — a commitment to care for New Zealand for now and future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

This land tells the story of our people. This sky is our father, and this earth is our mother. This nature is part of us, and we are part of nature. When you travel through Aotearoa, New Zealand, you, too, are a part of this story. You, too, are part of this place.

Our outdoor heritage – access to rivers, beaches, forests and mountains – contributes to our quality of life, wellbeing, and environment.

But not all rivers, lakes, beaches, forests and mountains have public access to, along or around them. By respecting the land and the people who care for that land, we protect and promote the importance of public access for future generations.