Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission

Herenga is an obligation, bond or tie. Nuku refers to Papatūānuku, the earth mother. She is the land in all of her beauty, power, strength and inspiration. She is the mother who sustains us. Papatūānuku is the reason we tramp, bike or horse ride across the land.

Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, is the government agency protecting and enhancing public access to the outdoors for everyone in New Zealand — walkers, mountain bikers, anglers, horse riders, landholders, trail runners and more.

We work with communities to create new connections to and across the land, resolve disputes and care for the land and the people who live, work and play on it.

Herenga ā Nuku provides leadership on outdoor access issues and administers a national strategy on outdoor access, including tracks and trails. It maps outdoor access, provides information to the public, oversees a code of responsible conduct, helps to resolve disputes and negotiates new access.

Herenga ā Nuku has a small team in Wellington and a network of regional field advisors. It is governed by an independent board.

Formally known as New Zealand Walking Access Commission.