Video from last week’s hui and links to the presentation
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Council Planning for Nature Access
Tēnā koe
In this newsletter:
- How councils plan for access to nature: Findings from a national document analysis – presentation from Dylan Hyman
- Look back: Protecting archaeological heritage
- Join the Trailmakers Map
- Trailmakers Hui dates
How councils plan for access to nature: Findings from a national document analysis
Dylan Hyman (research intern, Outdoor Access Commission) presented his findings from a nationwide review exploring how councils recognise, protect, and improve public access to nature in their planning documents. His report examines a selection of councils and analyses their treatment of outdoor access in District Plans, Long-Term Plans, Open Space Strategies, and other planning frameworks that shape how communities connect with the outdoors.
Did you miss last week’s hui, or want to see it again?
Links from the hui:
Look back: Protecting archaeological heritage
One of the most popular resources people read last year was on protecting archaeological heritage. Did you know that New Zealand has 70,000 recorded archaeological sites?
Trailmakers Map — Ngā Kaihanga Ara
This map is for volunteer trail groups or for those creating and maintaining trails in their area.
What are the benefits to your trail group of joining the map
- You can be visible to other trail groups in your area and across Aotearoa
- You can contact other groups about their experiences on projects that may be similar to yours
- Potential volunteers and donors can see groups in their region. (Our regional field advisors occasionally encourage potential volunteers to look at the map.)
- Government organisations such as councils and the Department of Conservation can more easily contact you.
- Adding your details to the map is easy!
The map now features 58 groups from around the country. It briefly describes them and their work, shows where they are, and provides information on how best to contact them. This map is specifically for community volunteer groups that are building or maintaining trails and outdoor access.
Trailmaker network members frequently want to contact each other. This map enables people to connect with other community trailmaker groups and to see where they sit geographically within a national network.
Get support
Our regional field advisors are a great first port of call when you have trail-building questions. They have an incredible wealth of knowledge and will point you in the right direction.
Our website also has a lot of information. If you can not find a resource you want, please get in touch with me.
2026 online hui dates
Online Trailmakers Hui dates are as follows:
- Thursday 28 May 2026 12-1pm
- Thursday 27 August 2026 12-1pm
- Thursday 19 November 2026 12-1pm
We will announce the topic and send invites closer to the date.
I’d love it if you could share your group’s on-the-ground knowledge in a future meeting. If you have an idea for a topic, please let me know. I’m happy to help you put together a presentation.
Hei konā mai,
Bernice Prakash
Principal Engagement Advisor
