Toolbox
Welcome to the toolbox! As New Zealand's remote and wild outdoors await you, it is vital to explore information before you explore outside. Below we've clustered relevant resources and safety information together to help you prepare and make it home.
Did you know?
Over 1.14 million people go exploring in New Zealand’s outdoors each year across various activities.– There and Back, 2016
Explore the Toolbox:
E-Learning Tools
Welcome to our brand new E-Learning Tools where we take you step by step through the planning process and help participants make it home. This is a development from one of our FREE online Outdoor Recreation Activity Guides. Read more
Outdoor Activity Guides
Begin planning for your next outdoor adventure with our FREE Outdoor Recreation Activity Guides. Read more
Emergencies
Emergency situations can happen at any time in the outdoors. The New Zealand Police, Rescue Coordination Centre and Land Search and Rescue (SAR) provide free emergency assistance in the outdoors. It's important to understand when their services are required, and how to reach them. Read more
Survival Essentials
Certain events in the backcountry of New Zealand can lead to the possibility of you being in a survival situation, it is therefore up to you to understand how to prepare and how to do it. Read more
Navigation
Help yourself find your way around the outdoors. Planning your route on a map is one thing, but knowing where to go when you’re out there is a whole other matter. It is essential that you know how to find your way to your destination, and even more important to... Read more
River Safety
Rivers are a significant hazard in the New Zealand outdoors, and you'll come across one on most tramping trips. Rivers are affected by the weather and snow melt, and can rise and fall very quickly. If you're not experienced in river crossings or identifying unsafe rivers, then avoid crossing rivers... Read more
Firearms Safety
Safety is our collective responsibility. It is up to every participant to ensure the future for firearms users in New Zealand. We do this by following the arms code and keeping yourself and everyone else safe while using firearms. A key part of being a safe hunter is fully understanding... Read more
Avalanche Safety
Backcountry terrain is neither patrolled nor controlled by professionals, so if you’re planning on going ‘out back’ or beyond the ski area boundary, it’s important to be well trained in avalanche safety and search and rescue techniques at all times of the year. Read more
Cooking and Fires
People who cook in the outdoors of New Zealand are up for a whole other level of el-fresco dining experience - whether it be on a mountain top, on a camping trip or in a backcountry hut. Read more
Communications
Having access to an appropriate communication device can give you peace of mind, and in an emergency situation it can also save your life. New Zealand does not have reliable cellphone signal in the outdoors, so even for a short walk you should prepare accordingly. Read more
Environment
New Zealanders take a lot of pride in their wild places and we try to keep them as clean and tidy as possible, you can help with that too. We love people exploring the outdoors, to ensure the future generations get the same experience as us - it pays to... Read more
Multi Language Resources
With the help of our partners, we have developed translated versions of our resources. International visitors intending to recreate outdoors can now access information to help them prepare. Read more
