AusLeisure

New Zeaand Walking Access Commission has advised that it has changed its name to Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, in recognition of the breadth of trail users.

Trail users range from people in tramping boots to fishing waders, sitting astride a horse or a bike, shouldering a rifle or pushing a stroller. Herenga ā Nuku refers to the rich connections we find on the trail - with the whenua and its stories, with ourselves and with each other.

Herenga is a bond, obligation or tie. Nuku refers to Papatūānuku, the earth mother. She is the land in all her beauty, power, strength and inspiration. She sustains us.

Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa - connecting people, connecting places.

In 2019 a government review of the Walking Access Act 2008 recommended the Commission change its name to better reflect its activities and its relationships with Māori. The Iwi Chairs Forum supported cultural advisors Tūtira Mai to develop a new name for the Commission.

Public outdoors access is part of New Zealand life and Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa is the government agency that protects and enhances this access.

Herenga a Nuku’s Chief Executive Ric Cullinane advises "we pride ourselves on our integrity, transparency and patience.

"Our regional field advisors work with communities and across statutory boundaries to create a legacy of trails for everyone to enjoy.

"Our maps are some of the most comprehensive in New Zealand. You can even take them to the middle of nowhere using the Pocket Maps app."

A trail gets us from A to B, but between those points is the journey. This name change is one step in the Commission’s journey, with many more to come. 

Image: Taranaki Mounga, above Waiaua Gorge Credit: Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa (New Zealand Walking Access Commission)

Related Articles

13th July 2022 - New Zealand Walking Access Commission recognises Banks Peninsula trail blazer Suky Thompson

26th January 2022 - New Zealand Walking Access Commission recognises impact of women on accessing the outdoors

17th September 2021 - New Zealand Walking Access Commission recognises women championing outdoor public access

26th August 2021 - New Zealand Walking Access Commission launches new app that identifies public access areas

25th June 2021 - New Zealand Walking Access Commission outlines legalities of locked gates over unformed legal roads

26th August 2020 - Te Araroa Trust partners with Walking Access Commission

18th December 2019 - Don Cameron announced as new chair of New Zealand Walking Access Commission

19th September 2018 - Walking Access Commission appoints new Chief Executive

4th September 2018 - New Zealand Walking Access Commission announces availability of new funding to help public access to the outdoors

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.