Adventure? ā¦Yes!
This whole adventure began because Iām passionate about engaging and activating the outdoors for all people. Specifically, I wanted to explore opportunities for trail destinations to attract and grow world class 'shared-use' interests.
The word āshareā is an interesting one. I consider it defined by our ability to collectively use a resource or space. An action to equally distribute. To consider everyoneās interests and respond in a manner that allows us all to thrive.
In the outdoors in Australia (contextually South Australia), like many countries across the world, we have sought to embrace the āshared-useā trail concept. A concept that aims to allow a multiple number of users to equally access and harmoniously utilise the same trail for their particular activity. The challenge simply is - we're not great at it.
Pre-conceptions, traditions, assumptions, the way things have always been doneā¦ all those words and terms that change-makers like myself love to avoid.
Week 1 - Kia Ora!
So here I am, a week into my Churchill Fellowship adventure, currently sitting in a visitor centre in the Redwoods Forest in Rotorua with the rain pouring outside and having just experienced (and felt) my first earthquake with a magnitude of 3.8.
It would be easy to say that most things that I have discussed, heard about, observed or experienced in the past week are no different to stories and examples that I have witnessed at home. But there's a difference, I believe Kiwiās have a consistently stronger and shared ācan-doā attitude, especially when it comes to the outdoors community.
What I admire most is that every stakeholder considers that they have a role to play - whether it be Central (Federal) Government, Local Councils, Peak Bodies, Commerical Operators, Clubs, Community Groups and the everyday users themselves. What has stood out to me is that before they even get to the trail, theyāre sharing the responsibility to make opportunities happen.
Iāve been enthused through experiencing New Zealandās inclusive culture, one where they look to be part of the solution rather than look at someone else to solve the problem. The desire to work together, share the outdoors with everyone, hold each other accountable and leave lasting positive experiences is impressionable. Sure, itās not perfect, nothing is, but I canāt help but admire their attitude and approach.
Purpose of these Reflections
Iāve decided to write these reflections for two reasons.
Firstly, there is significant value in experientially learning from others (and Iām already learning a lot). This experience is much more than reading texts, having phone calls, listening to podcasts or responding to emails. I'm immersing myself in opportunities to experience in a hands on, in person and practical way. Reflecting on it through writing helps me unpack my thoughts.
Secondly, Iām responding to challenges by looking for solutions. I certainly donāt plan to just talk about how good we are back home (but do recognise that we do a lot of things really well). Rather, Iām looking for opportunities to grow, change, develop, take a risk or better still, turn something upside down.
Four components of shared-use have stood out to me during this first week and I wanted to unpack them a bit further - community, culture, accessibility and conservation.
Community
As a country, New Zealand/Aotearoa is well aware that the outdoors is alive when the local community is engaged. Iāve heard of numerous stories where the outdoors is being cared for, developed and maintained for the local community, by the local community. Why? Because how can you share in something you want access to unless you take some kind of ownership of it?
Iāve been excited and encouraged throughout every conversation I have had so far on this Fellowship, but was inspired when I had the chance to meet Pete Masters and the team from Bike Taupo.
Eighteen years ago, they recognised a need in their community, and they wenāt about finding a solution - a true reflection of community. Their approach wasnāt the usual āask Government to resolve their lack of trails and infrastructureā, rather they went to Government and simply asked ācan we do this?ā. They took ownership of their challenge and went about creating their own solution. They built a āthingā that was fit for purpose, that then engaged others and collectively improved the townās quality of life. The result today? Over 210km of diverse trails, 1x purpose built bike park, a Great Lake shared-trail, $3m in assets and a very strong and attractive mountain biking regional community. Unreal.
Iāve admired the selfless generosity of those to raise and generate private funds to share with the community to support and activate public opportunities and spaces. The Federated Mountain Clubs for instance offer a $5,000 Youth Scholarship to support young people to engage in an outdoors multi-day trip. In return, they ask for their experience to be shared (photos, presentations, knowledge, social media etc) but more importantly, they have given a young person an opportunity to fall in love with the outdoors and hopefully bring their community along too. The Wellington Trails Trust and Trail Fund NZ are other great examples of the community raising funds to support trail development and engagement in the community.
Iāve loved hearing about how outdoor events are bringing people together. The Kennett Brothers run a bi-annual event, the Tour Aotearoa, a 3,000km bike ride that connects many of New Zealand/Aotearoaās great bike trails (many of which are both shared-trails as well as being off-road) from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. At itās core, itās an unstructured gathering of unknown people, but what it achieves in phenomenal. It brings people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds together, it affords them a chance to meet and build relationship, to share in a once in a lifetime experience. Better still, it supports regional towns, showcases unknown destinations, and reminds people that the world is often bigger than they remember it. Over the journey, lives are being changed, unforgettable memories made and most importantly, community is strengthened. All because a few hundred people choose to go for a ride through New Zealand/Aotearoaās beautiful outdoors.
What has stood out for me, more than anything is that the importance of trails in community is significant. Sure, they may not be the backbone (although they can be), but they certainly are a tipping point between a good community and a great one. Trails provide people a place and space where they can share in new and ongoing experiences.
Culture
I recognise that I still have a lot to learn, appreciate and understand when it comes to Indigenous People (especially the Aboriginal people in Australia and MÄori people here in New Zealand/Aotearoa). However, from what I do know and understand, it is clear that New Zealand/Aotearoa is decades ahead of Australia when it comes to recognising, co-existing, celebrating and reconciling with their First Nation people.
It is clear that recognising cultural history and significance in outdoor spaces and the environment makes for a deeper shared experience. Furthermore, co-governance models are allowing for natural areas to thrive as they enable sound land management approaches. These approaches create avenues for locals and internationals to engage and connect in the natural and cultural landscape.
Why is this important to New Zealand/Aotearoa? Itās because of the recognised importance and value that connection has to place, space and people. They value the opportunity to learn about, connect to and share the MÄori story.
Allowing people to embrace this cultural relevance as part of their own story is a meaningful experience. Connecting the past with the present and informing how we should work towards building the future. This cultural interaction is an opportunity for each of us to respectfully share our stories together.
I have felt humbled, grateful and often at times, embarrassed as to how MÄori are celebrated, especially in outdoor spaces. It has been a privilege to learn about and appreciate their culture through the experiences and adventures Iāve been on this past week.
Accessibility
New Zealand/Aotearoa believes that outdoor spaces should be accessible and available to all people to first protect, secondly connect with and thirdly thrive in. They recognise the beautiful and unique landscape which identifies both their country and culture and across the land, there are numerous ways in which this is shared with people. They understand the value and strength that the outdoors has on the intrinsic health, social and community benefits.
New Zealand/Aotearoa legislation prevents the Department of Conservation from charging people for access to trails and associated spaces on public land. Better still, land is accessible for public use - National Parks, Reservoirs, Forests, Reserves and more...
Understandably, this is made much easier with only two layers of Government (there is no State Government) so working through bureaucracy is much simpler. However, the commitment to enabling access and experiences for people also appears to be much greater.
The philosophy, attitude and approach to the outdoors is very much a ācan doā and/or āshould doā one. Volunteering is alive and well, so too is the commitment to giving back to the environment. Garth from Tongariro River Rafting is a fantastic example of this through the Blue Duck Project. Not only is he providing opportunities for people to immerse themselves experientially in the Tongariro River through rafting, but in doing so, is also supporting the endangered Whio (Blue Duck) by funding the purchase and maintaining of traps to kill feral pests. The results have seen the Whio re-establish themselves from 2 pairs in 2008 to 22 pairs in 2018.
What stands out to me is that in New Zealand/Aotearoa, there is a commitment to share the responsibility of protecting, connecting and thriving their outdoor spaces. Itās more than just providing an opportunity for people to interact and engage with trails, they embrace the value the outdoors has to support economies and grow the profile of regional towns and communities, the ability it has to generate (nature-based) tourism interest and participation and encourage international interactions to share best-practices and build networks.
I havenāt even had the chance to dig deeper on the topic of accessibility but I will say this... itās given me hope and excitement to see so many user groups on trails that I normally wouldnāt see back home. People in wheelchairs on purpose built off-road trails, large numbers of solo women mountain biking through forest trails and large groups of elderly tackling significant physically challenging walksā¦ itās been a real thrill to see it first-hand.
Conservation
The importance of MÄoriās foundational relationship with the whenua (land) is described in the following whakatauki (proverb):
Whatu ngarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua.
People will perish, but the land is permanent.
Conservation and sustainability are both clearly important practices here in New Zealand/Aotearoa and are approached with significant consideration. Understandably, there are both economic and environmental factors that can compete, but also require shared consideration.
New Zealand/Aotearoa legislation ensures that natural spaces are first and foremost protected and then enhanced. Enhancement then occurs through trail development, cultural significance and understanding, wildlife protection, recreational use, heritage listing and more. Whatās critically important is that enhancement is undertaken to a point which allows for people to immerse, connect and experience outdoor spaces without causing unmanageable or destructive damage. The outdoors is a shared place, but only if it can be shared with future generations.
Numerous examples that I have witnessed include the:
Promotion and actioning of Leave No Trace principles
Clear, correct and frequent signage
Green replacement commitments (1 tree planted for every 1m of trail built)
Resources to restrict the spreading of biosecurity threats (weeds).
While non of these examples are unique to Australia, it does appear however that New Zealand/Aotearoa have embraced the commitment to conservation and sustainability - put simply, it is of my opinion that they just take it more seriously. The share the responsibility, supply the tools and resources and commit to accountability.
Iām under no illusion that conservation and sustainability in the outdoors and especially on trails are massive challenges and Iāve got so much to learn. How wouldnāt you tackle these challenges? Iād love to hear about it!
Whatās next?
Iām here in New Zealand/Aotearoa only for a few more days, before then getting on the plane to Vancouver Canada, where Iāll spend the next week and a bit across Vancouver, Whistler and Banff.
The fun never stops and each day is a new opportunity to learn and experience.
New Zealand/Aotearoa is a special place and while I would have loved so much more time here, Iām comforted knowing that itās ājust across the ditchā and that returning some day soon, shouldnāt be too much of a challenge.
Thank you
Without people, this adventure wouldn't be the same. To those below, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy lives to spend it with me this past week. I am super grateful and really do look forward to staying in touch with you all.
Jamie Stewart, Board Member, Federated Mountain Clubs
Anthony Edmonds, Board Member, Wellington Trails Trust
Asher Wilson-Goldman, Communications Manager, Walking Access Commission Ara HÄ«koi Aotearoa
Rosanne Stewart, Senior Strategy and Investment Advisor ā Heritage and Visitors Unit, Te Papa Atawhai ā Department of Conservation
Alastair Johnstone, Principal Strategy and Investment Advisor - Heritage and Visitors, Te Papa Atawhai ā Department of Conservation
Karl Nesbitt, Parks and Open Spaces Programme Manager, Recreation Aotearoa
Janet Purdey, General Manager, Nga Haerenga The NZ Cycle Trail
Jonathan Kennett, Kennett Brothers & NZ Transportation Agency
Pete Masters, Chairman, Bike Taupo (and the Bike Taupo Team)
Garth Oakden, Founder/Owner, Tongariro River Rafting
Follow Along
If you're not already, I'd love for you to also follow along with me on social media.
I'm posting daily updates with photos between these extended blog posts.
The Winston Churchill Trust
This opportunity to travel around the world, learn from international experts and share in once-in-a-lifetime experiences wouldn't be possible without the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
I'm especially grateful to the Trust, as well as those from the Churchill Fellows Association in South Australia and those who supported the establishment of the Terry Lavender Scholarship. To receive such a Fellowship, let alone this scholarship is a really humbling privilege and it is a real honour to be able to recognise Terry Lavender in this way.
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