Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (Inc)
P O Box 1604
WELLINGTON
FMC Member News February 2010
Here is the latest news on FMC advocacy and significant developments of importance to trampers, climbers and all interested in safe outdoor recreation.
Campaign against Mining in National Parks and other Conservation Lands (2precious2mine)
John Key’s ‘State of the Nation’ speech to Parliament on 9 February clearly spelt out the Government’s intentions to review Schedule 4 land to be considered for mining – In spite of numerous pleas from concerned individuals and organizations, such as ours, for the Government to reconsider. It is crucial that pressure is maintained on the Government, especially with the imminent release of their consultation document. All clubs have been sent postcards for mailing to the Prime Minister. Clubs are urged to make sure every one of the cards is completed with a short personal message and sent in. In addition, you can help by doing some or all of the following: 1) Raise awareness to the wider public by continuing to place copies of FMC’s November Bulletin in back country huts, dental and medical waiting rooms etc, once you have finished reading it. 2) Visit the “Hands Off Mt Aspiring” Facebook group and sign up. The link is: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=212544202493&ref=mf. 3) For those interested in threats to the Coromandel Region, a useful website to visit is http://www.watchdog.org.nz where you can find additional information and ways of lending support to their campaign.
Threats to our Wild Rivers
This issue is also ongoing from 2009 – As with the mining campaign, it is important to keep the threats to our wild rivers high in the public’s profile. A way of accomplishing this is to distribute both the FMC Bulletin and the November issue of the Forest and Bird Magazine (which focuses on wild river issues) to backcountry huts, waiting rooms, etc across the country. For the latest news on the wild rivers campaign please check the website http://www.wildrivers.org.nz.
Federated Mountain Clubs has been notified that Erewhon Station in South Island High Country is about to enter Tenure Review. DoC has invited interested parties to make preliminary comments. If your club has any background that you think might be useful, please send it direct to Executive Member, David Round, djround@xnet.co.nz, before 3 March.
Federated Mountain Clubs understands that DoC's Northland Conservancy has completed its draft proposal to amalgamate several forest parks and reserves into a Kauri National Park and will release the draft for consultation soon. The proposal covers forest parks such as; Waipoua, Warawara, Herekino, Raetea, Omahuta and Puketi and we would urge those members and clubs with an interest in the area to review the draft document when it is released – particularly regarding any changes to access that may result from the change of status. We will also be monitoring the situation and in addition to keeping you updated, would be keen to receive your comments.
FMC 2010 AGM and Nominations for the FMC Executive
The FMC AGM will be held in Auckland on 12 June 2010 at the Silver Oaks Motel in Manukau (10 minutes from the airport). The notice to all clubs inviting nominations for the Executive and any items for discussion will be sent out in early March. The closing date for nominations and notices of motion is 16 April 2010.
A reminder that the New Zealand Alpine Club is currently circulating a draft for policy on the bolting of climbing routes – The draft can be viewed via their website (http://alpineclub.org.nz/) or see the latest Climber magazine for a hard copy. Please take the time to review the draft and let the NZAC working group know of your views.
From time to time FMC is advised of notices affecting tramping routes around NZ. The following page on our website: http://www.fmc.org.nz/services/notices-to-trampers/ where any notices about hut / track closures can be published, is growing steadily. The page will notify issues of immediate concern and the items are generally listed from north to south. While every effort is made to ensure that this information is current, trampers and climbers are urged to check with the nearest DoC Office to find out the latest information. Our page also has a link to the DoC website alerts page (http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/plan-and-prepare/alerts/) for a wider range of general advice and notices.
A reminder that clubs should be sending in their entries based on their own 2009 photo competitions. Note: the deadline for entries has now been extended to 31 March 2009. The entry form is in the November Bulletin or can be accessed on the website at http://www.fmc.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/photo-comp-entry.pdf.
Federated Mountain Clubs is able to promote your Club Jubilee on the FMC website (http://www.fmc.org.nz/clubs/club-jubilees/). Any club holding a Jubilee in the next 18 months should send basic information to secretary@fmc.org.nz
Users of the website may have noticed the eye-catching revolving display of tramping/mountaineering scenery and also of various members and clubs partaking in their recreational activities. We can always do with a few more pictures to add extra variety and interest – If you, or your club, has a photo capable of being cropped to a very narrow landscape picture that comprises members involved in a tramping/mountaineering activity, please send this to secretary@fmc.org.nz. We can do all of the photo editing. We would like a range of clubs popping up on our banner.
2010-2011 FMC Discount Card: Preparation of the 2010/2011 FMC Membership Discount Card is well in hand with a number of new discount providers joining our current range of supporters. Feedback and suggestions from members on the usefulness of the services is always welcome and can be sent to Executive Member, Lex Smith, via: smithers@xtra.co.nz.
Make use of this Newsletter in your Club’s Newsletter: As well as receiving this newsletter electronically, there is a version on the FMC website (http://www.fmc.org.nz/advocacy/) for club editors to download (as a MS Word document) and use in your club’s newsletter. By doing so, you help to raise our profile amongst the membership and it also ensures that those members who are not connected to e-mail or the Internet have a chance to learn of our advocacy work. We would request, however, that you remember to acknowledge FMC as the source of any material used.
50th Anniversary – Westland Tai Poutini National Park: Celebrations are to be held in the Fox and Franz Josef Glacier region from 26 – 28 March 2010 in honour of the occasion. Visit our website or go to the following link: http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/regional-events/west-coast/50th-anniversary-westland-tai-poutini-national-park/ for further details.
FMC Travel Club: There have been reductions in the prices of trips being offered by FMC Travel club. Go to the website link http://www.fmc.org.nz/travel-club/ for details
Pack Liners and Posters: These are still available from our office – Details are in the Bulletin or on the website. You can see samples of the posters at http://www.fmc.org.nz/services/posters/
Access to DoC Estate: Please feel free contact us (via secretary@fmc.org.nz) if your tramping or climbing party had any difficulties over the holiday period in gaining access to any part of the conservation estate.
Editor: Dennis Page: dennis.page@bdg.co.nz