New Zealand's Volunteers Preserve Iconic Hut Network
New Zealand's countryside features an extensive network of publicly owned huts, providing essential resting places for hikers. These facilities are scattered across diverse landscapes, from popular tracks to remote wilderness areas. The sheer size and isolation of this network pose significant maintenance challenges for the government, prompting ordinary citizens to volunteer their time and effort for cleaning and upkeep.
Suzie Bell, a New Zealand resident originally from the UK, became deeply involved after discovering the country's unique hiking culture and the intrinsic value of its hut system. She particularly noted the system's affordability, its reliance on user honesty, and the strong sense of community among hikers. Bell and her family subsequently joined the "Love our Huts" cleaning campaign.
This initiative was launched by the Federated Mountain Club (FMC), a prominent outdoor recreation advocacy group in New Zealand, and has successfully attracted over 300 volunteers. Liz Wightwick, an FMC executive committee member, emphasized that these huts are widely regarded as part of the national cultural heritage and are highly valued by the public.
"The huts are considered part of the national cultural heritage and are highly valued by the public." โ Liz Wightwick, FMC executive committee member
A Network of Huts: A National Treasure
New Zealand is home to more than 950 huts. Historically, the earliest huts, established in the late 1800s, were crucial in supporting activities such as gold mining, surveying, and mustering. Over time, their purpose evolved to serve conservation efforts, deer hunters, and forestry workers. The Department of Conservation (DOC) formally integrated these diverse facilities into a cohesive national network in the late 1980s.
Dedicated Volunteers in Action
During the most recent summer season alone, volunteers successfully cleaned over 500 huts across the country. A notable example includes psychologist Jo Clark and her daughters, who undertook a five-hour hike to reach and clean Clark Hut in Fiordland National Park. Their tasks included wiping mattresses and cleaning windows, among other maintenance duties.
Eamonn Whitham, DOC's acting director of heritage and visitors, openly acknowledged the substantial difficulties in maintaining such a vast network, citing its scale, isolation, and susceptibility to severe weather.
"The network's upkeep would not be possible without the dedicated efforts of New Zealanders." โ Eamonn Whitham, DOC acting director
Beyond Maintenance: Personal Connections and Kaitiakitanga
For some volunteers, the initiative extends beyond community service, offering personal benefits such as family bonding. Suzie Bell, for instance, leveraged the activity to teach her children about responsibility and the important principle of leaving places in better condition than they were found. She thoughtfully connected this ethos to the Mฤori concept of kaitiakitanga, which emphasizes environmental guardianship for future generations.