Toitū te whenua - leave no trace

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When heading into the outdoors, there are a few simple steps to help minimise your impact on the natural environment and cultural heritage areas.

Plan and prepare

Much of this was covered on the page Enjoy your hikoi safely!. Making sure you have the information, skills, and gear you need will make your trip a success. But what does this have to do with reducing impacts on the environment? Here are some examples:

1. Packing a bag to keep your rubbish in.
2. Taking a gas cooker so you don’t need to light any fires.
3. Taking a trowel or small spade to bury toilet waste – if there isn’t a loo nearby that is!
4. Can you think of any others?

Travel and camp on durable ground

Some areas are more fragile than others. Choose to camp and travel on the most durable surface you can. Damage to fragile natural features caused by travel and camping can take many years to heal. Examples of durable ground are:

1. walking tracks
2. sand
3. gravel
4. grass
5. rocks.

Dispose of waste properly

When you plan to head out into nature, be ready to carry your litter with you. There are no rubbish bins in the bush. The saying is: “Pack it in, pack it out”. And do a good deed by picking up any rubbish you see, even if it isn’t yours.
We all have a responsibility to clean up after ourselves in the outdoors. This includes both rubbish and toilet waste.

Leave what you find

When we leave natural objects and artifacts as we find them, we pass the gift of discovery on to those who follow. It is tempting to take things like rocks, shells, plants, fossils, and other interesting natural objects, but if everyone keeps taking or disturbing them it leaves less for others to see.

Minimise the effects of fire

Modern camping equipment means we don’t need to light a campfire. A campfire is more likely to get out of control and accidentally start a wildfire. Campfire remains also make natural areas unsightly.

There are some places where fires are allowed, but make sure you check and follow the rules.

Respect wildlife and farm animals

A lot of New Zealand’s wildlife is under threat. We don’t need to add to these problems! It is important not to feed human food to animals or get too close to wildlife. These actions can change the natural behaviour of wildlife.

We also need to respect farm animals if moving through farmland. Walk in single file without driving them.

Be considerate of others

We all go outdoors for different reasons, so we must share. Consider others, and what they might be trying to get out of their outdoor experience.

We also need to consider the people whose land we may be passing through. Don't cross private land unless you have permission from the landholder. Leave gates as you find them and don't damage fences.

Try the Leave no trace quiz.

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