Backcountry Trust Aotearoa/New Zealand

18/09/2026

Backcountry Trust Aotearoa/New Zealand has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Conservation — a significant step in a partnership that's been building for nearly a decade.

The MOU creates a shared framework to explore a more sustainable approach to maintaining New Zealand's publicly accessible backcountry hut and track network. The goal is a resilient network that combines DOC's role and expertise with BCT's community relationships, volunteers, contractors, and delivery capability.

What happens next? BCT and DOC will work toward a national operational agreement, with completion targeted by the end of 2026. Key details — including funding, hut selection, responsibilities, and performance measures — are still to be agreed.

The MOU is non-binding, and there are no immediate changes to how huts and tracks are currently managed. But it signals a genuine commitment from both organisations to find a better, more sustainable path forward for the backcountry network that so many New Zealanders rely on.

Read the full media release and FAQ here: https://www.backcountrytrust.org.nz/latest-news1

28/08/2026

The first Red Hut W**es friends and family offer was a great success — thank you to everyone who got behind it. The donations generated will go directly towards BCT's upcoming work programme, and that support genuinely makes a difference.

The second release of these New Zealand-made w**es is now available to BCT friends and family. If you'd like to place an order, get in touch with W**e Direct directly at alanna@w**edirect.co.nz

It's a simple way to support the work we do out there — good w**e, good cause. Cheers to Red Hut W**es and W**e Direct New Zealand for making this happen.

Order form can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DBOW1qKTTH065paVDH1R2OPemVX7o_pB/view?usp=sharing

**es **e

10/08/2026

Aotearoa's backcountry huts have inspired generations of adventurers — and now they're inspiring art.

Coromandel-based artist Ginney Deavoll has created Hut Scapes, a collection of original paintings and limited edition prints celebrating New Zealand's remarkable backcountry hut network. Developed in partnership with Backcountry Trust, the series captures some of the country's most iconic, historic and remote huts — not just the structures themselves, but the landscapes, journeys and stories that surround them.

Ginney's work is rooted in her own experiences tramping, kayaking and exploring New Zealand's wild places. Her paintings reflect a genuine connection to the land — a sense of wonder and hope that anyone who's spent time in the backcountry will recognise immediately.

A portion of proceeds from every original painting and limited edition print sold goes directly to supporting BCT's work — helping fund hut and track restoration carried out by dedicated volunteers, and ensuring these special places remain accessible for future generations.

Original Hut Scapes paintings are acrylic on 30cm × 30cm canvas. Limited edition giclée prints are signed by the artist, produced on premium paper, and presented in a protective sleeve — with only 50 prints available per artwork. Once they're gone, they're gone.

View the full collection or grab a print at https://ginneydeavoll.com/hutscapes

Ginney Deavoll Art
Backcountry Trust Aotearoa/New Zealand

07/08/2026

Another financial year wrapped up for Backcountry Trust — and despite the weather throwing a few challenges our way, it was still a strong effort from everyone involved.

Huts and tracks across the backcountry don't maintain themselves. It takes a dedicated network of volunteers, contractors, donors, and sponsors working together to keep things ticking over — and this year was no different.

A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time, resources, and support throughout the year. Whether you were out in the field swinging a tool, contributing financially, or helping coordinate from behind the scenes — it all counts, and it all makes a difference to the people heading out into the backcountry.

The full 2026 Performance Report is now available. It covers what we set out to do, what we achieved, and where the weather had other ideas. Take a read and see what your support made possible this year.

flipsnack.com/backcountrytrust/backcountry-trust-perfomance-report-2026

backcountrytrust.org.nz/performance-report.html

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06/08/2026

It's one thing to read about a backcountry project, but another to see it come to life.

Ben Norris has put together this reel from the Big Bay Hut renovation, showcasing the teamwork, spectacular Fiordland scenery, occassional bit of relaxing and the effort that went into giving this much-loved hut a new lease on life.

Thanks Ben for capturing the experience and sharing it with us all.

04/08/2026

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast 2027 Race Entry Auction closes tonight — Wednesday 5 August at 10:10pm. This is your last chance to secure a spot in one of New Zealand's most iconic multisport events while putting your bid directly to work in the backcountry.

One entry to any 2027 Kathmandu Coast to Coast category is up for grabs (excludes the tandem event).

This year, proceeds go towards the Mingha–Deception huts and tracks in the Arthur's Pass area — routes that thousands of people rely on every year. Every bid helps keep them open and in good shape for everyone.

Last year's auction helped fund work at Koropuku Hut and the renovation of Otehake Hut. This year, you have the chance to make another real difference to the places we all love.

Place your bid before it closes: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/travel-events-activities/event-tickets/sports/listing/6053715031

A big thank you to Kathmandu Coast to Coast — your partnership directly supports hut and track projects that benefit the whole outdoor community.

29/07/2026

Our friends at Kathmandu Coast to Coast are fundraising again to help support the Backcountry Trust.

For the last few years they have auctioned off an entry into the upcoming race in February 2027. See the link for the Trademe auction.

BCT's commitment with the funds is to put the money back into projects in the Arthur's Pass area, and this year it will go directly back into work on the Mingha - Deception huts and tracks.

Last year's fundraising helped towards the budgets for Koropuku Hut and the renovation of Otehake Hut.

20/06/2026

Receiving the sixth of our $100 Bivouac Outdoor vouchers for 2026 Volunteering New Zealand Volunteer week is Theo Scott, a young South Islander who joined three BCT trips this past summer — and left a lasting impression on everyone he worked alongside.

Theo came to BCT when he joined a friend on a Nina Valley track-cutting trip in Lewis Pass. From the outset, he stood out thanks to his strong work ethic, exceptional fitness and an appetite to match. When he had to leave the trip early for work commitments, he didn't hesitate to return — hiking back in with a full pack, a replacement chainsaw for one of the contractors, and five litres of refreshments for the team.

In volunteering for BCT Theo says: "I love doing work in the outdoors, and being there with a great team who share similar interests is amazing. As a person active in the backcountry, I've used lots of different tracks and huts, and always really appreciated the time and effort which goes into them, so giving something back feels right. Getting fed fresh food in the hills that comes in with the flight load is pretty good too."

Those who've worked alongside Theo describe him consistently as inspiring, positive, and full of energy. As someone who grew up in an outdoors-focused family — with a father keen on hunting and the freedom of home-schooling to explore the backcountry — it's clear the mountains are where Theo belongs.

Theo is currently on the first steps to becoming an electrician and we hope he finds time to keep giving back to the backcountry he clearly loves.

19/06/2026

Receiving the fifth of our $100 Bivouac Outdoor vouchers for 2026 Volunteering New Zealand Volunteer week is Josiah Bryant, who recently completed his carpentry apprenticeship and works full time as a builder in the Hawkes Bay.

Jo has volunteered his skills to various BCT projects over the past couple of years. He started with Kiritiaki Hut and was then a major contributor to this years' work on Rocks Ahead Hut. More recently this year he led his first BCT project, taking a full crew into Makino Hut to complete a bundle of deferred maintenance work with a full crew of volunteers. Jo’s reputation in the BCT whānau is one of kindness and cool-headedness, qualities that make him a valued member of any team.

When he’s not on the tools, you can find him enjoying long runs on the trails or working on the tiny home he built himself. Thank you for your hard work and dedication Jo. Your efforts make a real difference to the hut and track system in the North Island.