Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is strengthening support for New Zealand’s treasured backcountry hut and track network through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Backcountry Trust, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced.
“For nearly ten years, the Backcountry Trust has partnered with DOC to restore and maintain hundreds of huts and thousands of kilometres of tracks across the country — demonstrating what can be achieved when government, community, and passionate volunteers work together,” Mr Potaka says.
“Our Government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Backcountry Trust through $4.2 million of funding from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy since 2024. This significant contribution has enabled the Backcountry Trust to deliver work across the motu, supporting the preservation of South Island alpine huts like Almer Hut in Westland Tai Poutini National Park and Hopeless Hut in Nelson Lakes National Park, restoration of treasured hunting bases like Venison Tops Hut in Kaweka Forest Park, and track work on local classics like in the Silverpeaks north of Dunedin.
“This MOU signals the next stage of that commitment. It provides an opportunity for DOC and the Backcountry Trust to further develop a durable, sustainable partnership through developing a national operational agreement, while helping to ensure New Zealanders can continue to enjoy a resilient and publicly accessible backcountry hut and track network.
“Working alongside organisations like the Backcountry Trust gives us an opportunity to combine DOC’s expertise with the skills, energy, and commitment that already exist in our backcountry communities.
“The nation’s backcountry huts and tracks are part of who we are. Generations of Kiwi have explored them, cared for them, and created memories in — and on — them. I am pleased that this work means others will be able to have those same experiences, too.”
Notes to editors:
The Memorandum of Understanding between DOC and the Backcountry Trust is non-binding and does not create legal or operational obligations.
The MOU outlines a shared intention to:
help retain and maintain backcountry huts and tracks where possible
support a financially sustainable future for the backcountry network
harness the skills, experience and enthusiasm of volunteers, communities and contractors
explore new funding opportunities and improved visitor payment systems
ensure people can continue to enjoy backcountry experiences.
It does not transfer DOC’s responsibilities, determine the future of individual huts or tracks, or commit either organisation to a future operational arrangement.
The MOU supports exploration of long-term, sustainable approaches to maintaining parts of New Zealand’s backcountry hut and track network. There are no immediate changes to how huts and tracks are managed, and no decisions have been made about individual locations or districts.
As part of the next stage of work, DOC and the Backcountry Trust will develop a national operational agreement, with the goal of signing an agreement by the end of 2026.
The Backcountry Trust was established in 2017 and works with communities, volunteers, and partners to restore, maintain and enhance backcountry huts and tracks.
DOC has nearly 1,000 huts, and 24,000 km of tracks, throughout the country.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/11/wider-collaboration-to-preserve-backcountry-heritage/