Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission
A new trail across one of Aotearoa’s most historic, fascinating and naturally abundant coastlines has won a prestigious national award for championing public outdoor access.
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail in the Buller District has been named a 2026 Outdoor Access Champion by the Outdoor Access Commission.
This award recognises the Charleston-to-Westport Coastal Trail Trust’s decade-long commitment to developing the 40-kilometre Kawatiri Coastal Trail and securing enduring, inclusive public access across one of Aotearoa’s most culturally and ecologically rich coastlines.
Completed in March 2025, the Grade 2 walking and cycling trail stretches from Westport to Charleston, connecting communities, landscapes, stories, and generations.
Event details
Outdoor Access Champion Award Ceremony – Kawatiri Coastal Trail
Date: Thursday, 19 March 2026
Time: 4:00pm
Venue: Star Tavern, 6 Lighthouse Road, Cape Foulwind
Partnership and perseverance
The Charleston-Westport Coastal Trail Trust worked in close partnership with Ngāti Waewae, the Department of Conservation, Buller District Council, MBIE’s Kānoa – Regional Economic Development Unit, Development West Coast, and many others to bring the trail to life.
The trust’s achievement in securing public access across complex land tenure is exceptional. Access arrangements were reached with 10 private landowners, covering 27% of the trail. Seven of those agreements – representing 23% of the whole route – are legally enduring walkway easements under the Walking Access Act 2008.
Herenga ā Nuku Chief Executive Dan Wildy says the trail shows what local communities can achieve when they work together.
“The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is a nationally significant model of how public access can be created and protected through partnership, goodwill, and determination. The trust has built an enduring legacy for the people of Buller, New Zealand, and international visitors now drawn to this remarkable trail.”
A community asset
The trail has made it much easier for the region’s residents and visitors to access and enjoy the outdoors. Its wide, smooth surface supports walkers, runners, families, e-bikers, and hand-bike users, making recreation inclusive for people of all ages and abilities.
More than 40,000 users will enjoy the trail each year, with local schools, community groups, and visitors engaging in environmental education, heritage learning, and shared outdoor experiences.
Richard Niederer, Kawatiri Coastal Trail Trust Chairperson, says the Charleston-Westport Coastal Trail Trust is extremely honoured to be a recipient of the 2026 Outdoor Access Champion Award.
“Coupled with the feedback from visitors and locals alike who are using the trail, we have created a community and publicly accessible asset which will be enjoyed for years to come.”
Environment and culture
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail has facilitated extensive ecological restoration, including 25,000 native plantings and 200 maintained predator traps to support kiwi, bittern and other native species.
Interpretation panels celebrate tangata whenua heritage, archaeology, geology, and local history stretching back 700 years. The trail’s partnership with Ngāti Waewae means it respects and supports tikanga-ā-iwi and significant sites, including the whare and interpretation signs at Whare Ngāhue.
Regional economic development
The trail is already delivering economic benefits to the district, strengthening regenerative tourism and supporting new local enterprises. Visitors are spending more time and money in the region, with extended stays and increased off-season visits, boosting community resilience. Research indicates the trail will be worth $79 million to the region by 2031.
As well as the more than 60 jobs created during the construction of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, the trust estimates around 100 jobs will be created over the next 10 years in support of the trail. Zak Shaw from Development West Coast’s Nature Economy Project says the Kawatiri Coastal Trail receiving this award reflects the strength of local collaboration that brought the trail to life.
“Over the past several months we’ve seen just how popular the trail has become, with more people choosing to visit Buller to experience it for themselves. That growing visitation is incredibly positive for the region, supporting local businesses, creating opportunities for communities, and reinforcing the value of investing in world-class nature experiences. Inspired by local creative vision, the Kawatiri Coastal Trail connects rainforest to coastline, history to habitat, and locals to visitors, all in a single day.”
Volunteers and the community
Volunteers contribute more than 3,000 hours each year to fundraising, trail building, restoration, trapping, planting, maintenance, events, and governance. Their work means the trail remains safe, vibrant, and ecologically healthy.
“This award honours everyone who has contributed – the Charleston-Westport Coastal Trail Trust, Ngāti Waewae, landowners, council, agencies, funders, volunteers, and supporters,” says Wildy. “Together they’ve created opportunities for everyone to access and enjoy the environment, today and for generations to come.”
A thank you for opening up the great outdoors
The Outdoor Access Commission, Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, has awarded Outdoor Access Champion Awards annually since 2013. A small group of winners are selected from nominees who have made significant and lasting contributions to public access to the outdoors in New Zealand. Nominations for 2027 will open in September.
