Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club

23/06/2026

Like much of New Zealand, here in Palmerston North we enjoy amazing access to nature - places like Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge and Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, in addition to the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges.

The government's proposed Conservation Amendment Bill threatens this. Local clubs and community groups are organizing against this Bill. Add your voice! See you on Tuesday 30th June, 7-8pm, at the Globe Theatre Palmerston North.

Like much of New Zealand, in Palmerston North we enjoy amazing access to nature, places like Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge and Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in addition to the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. It's one of our stongest drawcards as a nation and as a city.

The Conservation Amendment Bill threatens all that and more.

I'm grateful to see local clubs and community groups prepared to organise.

A united front.

Putting this government and all future governments on notice that exposing 60% of our public lands to risk of sale, lease or exchange is a futile waste of rare and precious substance: political capital.

Thanks to Forest & Bird Manawatū Manawatu Branch Inc, Palmerston North Tramping and Mountaineering Club Massey University Alpine Club Massey Student Wildlife and Conservation Club Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club Ruahine White Water Club Page and other for joining forces on this one.

See you Tuesday in the Globe Theatre 💚

22/06/2026

Threat to Public Conservation Land

Submissions close 2 July.

The Government's proposed Conservation Amendment Bill could fundamentally change how New Zealand's public conservation land is managed. This could be the most significant threat to conservation law and outdoor recreation in decades.

The Bill would shift the purpose of conservation land from conservation-first to enabling economic development, and make it harder to decline inappropriate developments on public conservation land. It would reduce the role of independent Conservation Boards and the New Zealand Conservation Authority, and make it easier to dispose of conservation land without requiring recreational access to be protected.

This matters to everyone who tramps, climbs, hunts, paddles, skis, camps, or simply values access to New Zealand's wild places. Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand - FMC is preparing a detailed submission to the Environment Select Committee. Read the FMC summary of what's at stake, their key submission points, and learn how to make your own submission at the FMC website https://fmc.org.nz/what-we-do/campaigns/conservation-amendment-bill

Green Party Palmerston North & Rangitīkei and Palmerston North City Councillor Brent Barrett are also drafting a submission on the Bill, in conjunction with local tramping and outdoor groups. There will be a public meeting in Palmerston North on 30 June, 7 pm - details to follow.

Conservation Amendment Bill breakdown and submission guide

29/05/2026

With shorter days and cooler temperatures come some very different tramping conditions. Going into the mountains in winter can be a real joy, with clear views, uncrowded huts, and often, great weather. However good preparation is paramount in mitigating risks. For the June club night, several members have put together a presentation that outlines some of the issues and factors to be considered when setting out on a winter tramp. Join the discussion and see pictures from previous winter excursions.

Come to the usual venue, the Rose City Aquatic Clubrooms at 50 Park Rd (next to the Lido swimming pool), this Tuesday 2 June. Biscuits and hot drinks provided, social time from 7pm, presentation starts 7:30.

If you're not already a member and would like to join MTSC, you are encouraged to attend a club night (or go on a club trip) before applying to join. So come along!

27/05/2026

This weekend is the Mountain Clean-up at Whakapapa, Mt. Ruapehu. Contact Ken on 027 364 6475 if you're interested in participating - at the time of posting, the club lodge may be full.

Celebrate the start of the 2026 Winter Season with Ruapehu Mountain Clubs Association and MTSC on the annual Mountain Clean-up Day, this Kings Birthday Weekend - Saturday 30 May 2026. The event kicks off at 1:00 pm. The maunga is special to our club members and this is an opportunity to show our support for the local iwi and DoC.

MTSC will run a minibus from Palmerston North, leaving Saturday morning, returning Sunday or Monday (TBC). Saturday night's accommodation at the Lodge is free for MTSC Mountain Clean-up participants!

1.00 pm Meet in the Platinum Carpark. This carpark is available for clubbies to use on Saturday 30th May
1.15 pm Karakia
1.30 pm Clean Up. There are 6 designated routes.
3.30 pm Car Boot Party - Platinum Carpark. BYO drinks
5.45 pm Sunset Drinks and DJ - Lorenz's Cafe
Please note: Season Pass holders are invited to clean up the Knoll Ridge Cafe area. Other clean up trails include the Rock Garden, Tenants Valley, the Top of Bruce and the car parks.
The RMCA will provide a BBQ and first drinks in the Platinum Carpark. Please BYO, open your car boot and connect with fellow clubbies.

19/05/2026

The trail of the tenacious...

"I was warned not to attempt the Three Passes route solo, and for 10 years I listened..."

Drawing on inspiration from historic female climbers, club member Hazel Phillips decides to finally ignore the naysayers and solo tramps the legendary Three Passes route in Arthurs Pass National Park.
She details her journey with equal parts history, humour and a healthy dose of fear in the Off the Beaten Track feature in the May edition of the Wilderness Magazine.

The trail of the tenacious...

"I was warned not to attempt the Three Passes route solo, and for 10 years I listened..."

Drawing on inspiration from historic female climbers, Hazel Phillips decides to finally ignore the naysayers and tramps the legendary Three Passes route solo.

She details her journey with equal parts history, humour and a healthy dose of fear in our Off the Beaten Track feature in our May magazine.

🎧 You can also listen to Hazel read her story with a follow-up Q&A about the trip with our editor, Alistair Hall here: https://tinyurl.com/485p9nnc

01/05/2026

The Greater Wellington Backcountry Network Trust, in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, is raising money to improve the track along the Ohau River, in particular two slips along the track. The route is used by trampers heading from Poads Road to North Ohau or South Ohau Hut or up to Gable End over to Te Matawai Hut. This is also a very popular track for weekend walkers and hunters.

Please consider making a contribution to the givealittle page - we will all benefit from this in the long run.

Restore the walking access into the scenic Ohau valley in Tararua Forest Park

01/05/2026

This month's club night features Emma Gregg, a local tramper who has a real passion for the outdoors. She has been involved in a range of activities for the betterment of the environment and recreation, including Federated Mountain Clubs, the “Love our Huts” campaign, the Greater Wellington Back Country Trust and the Weta Conservation Trust.

Emma will talk about some of the projects she has been involved with, so do come along and hear about some of the great work happening in the outdoors.

Come to the usual venue, the Rose City Aquatic Clubrooms at 50 Park Rd (next to the Lido swimming pool), this Tuesday 5 May. Biscuits and hot drinks provided, social time from 7pm, talk starts 7:30.

If you're not already a member and would like to join MTSC, you are encouraged to attend a club night (or go on a club trip) before applying to join. So come along!

05/04/2026

Bookings for the club lodge at Whakapapa, Mt. Ruapehu are now open, through to June 2027. If you have a favourite weekend in mind, then book early to ensure your place. Lodge rates increase from 1 June by $3 per night for adult or youth bookings, but they still represent great value and compare favourably with other lodges.

The lodge is available to MTSC members and their guests, and approved groups. It can accommodate 32 people, in bunkrooms that sleep 4-7. All the comforts of home: Two lounges, hot showers, drying rooms, ski and board maintenance area, WiFi/Broadband. Most food is provided at the lodge; share food preparation and lodge housekeeping tasks.

https://mtsc.nz/lodge

Photo: Ivan Rienks.

05/04/2026

This month's club night features Heather Grady, National Chairperson of Outdoor Training New Zealand.

OTNZ is a not-for-profit organisation that provides training in outdoor safety. Heather will detail how the organisation was established, what OTNZ has to offer and in particular how the Manawatu branch operates. There will be a slide show detailing some of the activities the local branch is involved with, often with the support of MTSC members. Since our club has so many people with years of experience in the outdoors, Heather will outline ways in which our members can get involved.

Come to the usual venue, the Rose City Aquatic Clubrooms at 50 Park Rd (next to the Lido swimming pool), this Tuesday 7 April. Biscuits and hot drinks provided, social time from 7pm, talk starts 7:30.

If you're not already a member and would like to join MTSC, you are encouraged to attend a club night (or go on a club trip) before applying to join. So come along!

www.outdoortraining.nz