NZEAN New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network

10/06/2026

This can affect equestrians as well, so please take a few minutes to submit your objections 😊

🚨 THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR KIWI WAY OF LIFE ...ATTENTION ALL 4WD CLUBS, JET BOATERS, HUNTERS, FISHERS & OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS! 🚨So important The Government has just introduced the Conservation Amendment Bill, and it is the biggest threat to our traditional Kiwi outdoor heritage in 40 years. They are calling it "cutting red tape," but what it really does is pave the way to commercialise and privatise our public conservation land.

If we don’t stand up right now, the open, unrestricted backcountry access we’ve enjoyed for generations could be gone for good.

How this Bill disadvantages everyday Kiwi outdoor lovers:
You lose your voice: It removes your automatic right to a public hearing.

If a big corporate wants to lock up your favorite river access or 4WD track, whether you get to object face-to-face is now entirely up to the Minister’s discretion.

60-Year private leases: It allows the Minister to grant exclusive commercial leases for up to 60 years!

That means corporate eco-lodges, private tourism ventures, or infrastructure projects can lock everyday Kiwis out of public valleys and tracks for generations.

60% of our conservation land could be swapped or sold: While National Parks are "safe," the other 60%, including our stewardship lands, forest parks, and river margins where most of our 4WD tracks, hunting grounds, and boat launches sit is being opened up for easier land swaps and disposals.

Commercial priority over recreation: DOC will now have a legal mandate to actively look for and "enable economic opportunities."

Volunteer clubs who maintain huts and tracks will be pushed to the back of the queue behind cashed-up commercial operators.

New Zealand Outdoors & Freedom Party is encouraging EVERYONE to have their say.

NB There ate two processes ...the Conservation Amendment Bill AND the Conservation Management Strategy..Ideally make you views kniwn on both.

This is our land. We cannot let them hand the keys over to corporate interests and shut Kiwis out of our own backyard.

Submissions close Thursday, July 2, 2026. It only takes a few minutes to lodge your objection and demand that public access to the outdoors remains free, open, and protected for all New Zealanders.

https://www3.parliament.nz/en/ECommitteeSubmission/54SCENV_SCF_BD7D0F89-D8CB-42F7-9C5F-08DEABEDA048/CreateSubmission?fbclid=IwY2xjawSVb95leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuTktKaWp0TTFrS2oxQzRSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg5kjqUR7tqrrDVZEhVq2-Dx6cCHLrk9SiUYFdMb718_7SjJ9MkAdmmqRE10_aem_c9WUyE3YzRdwFSGWOzMtuQ also Join us and support to fight for you this election! https://nzofp.co.nz/join-the-nzofp at Muddy Waters Hunting NZ New Zealand Pighunting Association fijiannz_4x4 4WD South Explorers Club Jet Boating New Zealand New Zealand Deerstalkers Association Inc Taihape Deer Stalkers Association

25/05/2026

🐴 Palmerston North Equestrians — great news for you!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Manawatu & Tararua Equestrian Advocacy Group, https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CPcpaTmMF/?mibextid=wwXIfr equestrian access to the Back Track, behind Massey, Kahutewara Road, has now been regained 👏

If you’re available to attend the ride on 28th May, we still need another 1–2 riders to join in. Please get in touch if you can help support this important occasion.

Otherwise, get out there and enjoy this wonderful track! Please remember to be courteous and respectful to all other trail users so we can continue to protect and preserve access for everyone. 😊🐎

Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen.

https://www.facebook.com/share/14RnDQNRviR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

If you’re riding at Arapuke on Thursday morning, please be aware there will be horses be on Back Track starting at roughly 10.30am.

Palmerston North City Council has advised MMBC that horses will now be permitted on Back Track. They will not be allowed on mountain bike-specific trails.

To help introduce this change safely, a small trial ride will take place on Thursday 28 May. Around four horses and riders will travel up Kahuterawa Road from the reserve at approximately 10am before riding Back Track with a couple of mountain bikers accompanying the group.

If you’re riding at Arapuke on Thursday morning, please be aware that horses may be present. Please be particularly careful around intersections and blind corners such as the Lower Twister junction. Please mind your speed.

We have successfully shared Back Track with walkers, runners, families, dogs and Te Araroa users; horses will now be part of our community. As with any shared-use trail, everyone will need to take extra care. Slowing down, communicating clearly and giving horses space will help keep everyone safe.

PNCC will be adding signage and access modifications before regular horse access begins. Following Thursday’s trial, we’ll report back on how it went, what was learned, and what the next steps will be.

We know members may have questions or concerns about the change, and we encourage respectful discussion and constructive feedback as everyone adapts to the new arrangement.

Feedback can be sent to [email protected]

Arapuke Trails Palmerston North City Council

25/05/2026

NZEAN would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the family of Dame Julie Topp.

Jools and her twin sister Lynda are not only national icons, but also passionate advocates for horses and equestrians throughout New Zealand. Their support and connection to the equestrian community has been appreciated by many.

At Equifest 2024, our Chair Shelly Warwick and other NZEAN committee members had the privilege of meeting Lynda — such a genuinely lovely person.

Our thoughts are with the Topp family at this difficult time. 💜🐴

Www.nzean.org

23/05/2026

🐴 Hi there!

Does anyone have any photos of riding along the shared paths in Kapiti beside the expressway? If you do, please share them in the comments below — we’d love to see them! 📸🐎

By becoming a member of New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network for just $10 a year, you can help us continue advocating for equestrians, protecting access, and supporting horse riders across New Zealand.

Join us today: www.nzean.org 🐴

08/05/2026

🚨 New Zealand Equestrians We Need To Start Being Counted 🚨

Every near miss.
Every frightened horse.
Every rider forced into a ditch.
Every road incident involving a horse matters.

Across Aotearoa New Zealand equestrians continue to face:
⚠️ Increasingly dangerous roads
⚠️ Reduced off-road riding access
⚠️ Poor driver awareness
⚠️ Intimidation and aggression from motorists
⚠️ Lack of recognition as vulnerable road users

🐎 Horses are prey animals.
A horse can shy sideways, spin, rear or bolt in seconds, often in response to speeding vehicles, loud engines, close passing distances or unsafe driver behaviour.

Yet many decision-makers still do not fully understand the risks riders face every day on New Zealand roads.

NZEAN is campaigning for change.

We are calling for:
📢 Recognition of equestrians as vulnerable road users
📢 Safer passing distances and reduced passing speeds
📢 Better engagement between agencies and the equestrian community
📢 National awareness around equestrian road safety
📢 Protection of riding access for future generations

We need:
🐴 Riders
🐴 Pony Clubs
🐴 Trekking groups
🐴 Rural communities
🐴 Coaches and trainers
🐴 Parents of young riders
🐴 Equine businesses
🐴 Safety advocates …to keep speaking up.

If we stay silent, nothing changes.

Please take a few minutes to complete this important survey and help raise awareness about the dangers equestrians face on the roads:
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2FNZEAN_Horse_related_road_incidents_survey&h=AUCAajP-GxLLAorT2HyLbqF21s9PcMdEozN7hXxDx1GioZgTiHFlgl8SDscs4AIYPMOhCA6jOBPpSOQ-gsSXJWN397p6j3t9ATuo_EOH_V--TdDdMe4fE8qdPAZu&s=1

Every voice matters.
Every rider matters.
Together we can create change.

​On the 14th and or 15th September, New Zealand horse riders, along with our friends in Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, Canada, America and Australia will be riding to raise awareness of our vulnerability on the road and the need for improved status in transport legislation.

08/05/2026

🐎 Canterbury Equestrians — We Need You! 🐎

Are you passionate about protecting the future of horse riding and ensuring equestrians are heard across Aotearoa New Zealand?

Wilkinson is looking to connect with riders, horse owners, coaches, trekking groups, pony clubs, breeders, competitors, recreational riders and equestrian supporters throughout Canterbury.

With increasing road dangers, shrinking riding access, and ongoing concerns around equestrian safety and recognition, now is the time for our community to stand together and have a voice.

If you are based in Canterbury and would like to:
🐴 Get involved
🐴 Support equestrian advocacy
🐴 Help improve rider safety
🐴 Protect riding access for future generations
🐴 Attend meetings or events
🐴 Be part of positive change

…Matt would love to hear from you!

Please make contact, follow the page, or attend upcoming meetings and discussions. Every voice matters and together we are stronger.

The future of equestrian access and safety in New Zealand depends on people willing to stand up and be counted.



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17dxLFaRwq/

Send a message to learn more

24/04/2026

24/04/2026

Well done Auckland Council 👏
Another council taking notice and including horses in planning and access decisions.

This is exactly the kind of progress we need to see across Aotearoa — safer, more inclusive spaces for all road and trail users 🐎

Let’s keep the momentum going 💪

10/01/2026

HORSES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

We do know that riding horses is still a common practice within the Waitomo district. However, people who ride horses on roads can cause a risk to public safety if the horse is not controlled appropriately.

The following guidance has been developed by Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency for riding a horse on the road:
🐎 Always wear a safety helmet while riding. A fall from your horse could result in a head injury
🐎 Wear brightly-coloured safety gear (i.e. a high-visibility vest) as this increases your visibility and research has shown that it slows down drivers.
🐎 Ride your horse on the left-hand side of the road and as far to the left as possible.
🐎 Keep your horse on the side of the road whenever you can, but don't ride on footpaths, lawns or gardens.
🐎 Do not ride more than two abreast. When there is traffic, reduce to single file. Single file is also sensible when the road is narrow or you’re approaching a bend.
🐎 Don't ride on the right of any moving vehicle.
🐎 If you're leading another animal while riding, always keep it on your left, away from the traffic.
🐎 If you're riding a horse or leading animals at night, wear reflective clothing and carry a torch.

If people are found to be riding horses in a manner that could endanger public safety this will be reported to the Police, and riders could face prosecution depending on the nature of the offence.

Please also note that any person being the owner of or having control of any horse in a public place in an urban area shall immediately remove any faeces deposited by that horse from the public place. If a rider is found to have not removed the faeces, they may face prosecution.

If you want further information on horses and public safety, please follow the link below, which sets out the horse specific provisions in Council Bylaws and the road rules for horse riders.

https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/our-services/animal-control/riding-horses-and-public-safety/