Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission

For other uses, see Walking Access Commission.

Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission

File:Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission Logo Patch.jpg
Agency overview
Formed	29 September 2008
Headquarters	Wellington, New Zealand
Employees	12 to 14 (varies)
Annual budget	NZ$1.8 million0
Minister responsible	Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture
Agency executives	Don Cameron, Chairperson Ric Cullinane, Chief Executive
Parent agency	Ministry for Primary Industries
Website	herengaanuku.govt.nz

Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission (formerly the New Zealand Walking Access Commission, Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa) is a crown agent that helps to negotiate, establish, maintain, and improve public access to the outdoors. It works with other agencies, local groups and communities to create and tend to tracks and trails.

Much of the commission's work is helping to resolve disputes over access to land or negotiating new access. Although it is called the Walking Access Commission it also works on public access to the outdoors for other outdoor users including mountain bikers, anglers, hunters, horse riders, trail runners, climbers and landowners. The commission administers a national strategy on outdoor access. It develops and shares maps of outdoor access. It provides these maps and other information to the public, and it educates about people's public access rights and responsibilities in the outdoors. The commission has a small staff in Wellington and a network of regional field advisers located around the country. It is governed by an independent board of six members appointed by the minister. The commission's functions are described in the Walking Access Act 2008.

See also

• Public sector organisations in New Zealand

External links

• Official website
• Walking Access Act 2008