Some 26 people come to Whenua iti Outdoor Centre outside Nelson for the afternoon of 7 April to network and discuss issues of importance for the outdoor sector. Participants included outdoor education centres, guiding companies, polytechs, schools, sea kayak and canyon guides and representatives from DOC, Sport Tasman, Skills Active and NZ Outdoor Instructors Association.

Highlights of the meeting included a discussion of the lessons and legal implications of the December 2016 prosecution of Aquanorts owner over the deaths of two Melbourne University students in lake Tekapo in 2015. Take a look here for more information.

Other discussions centred on the Adventure Activity Regulations, areas of outdoor activity congestion as well as Sport Tasmans project to create Six Million Wilderness Hours for young people in the Top of the South region.

If you are interested in getting a similar regional meeting off the ground in your area and need some support, email Rob MacLean at outdoors@nzrecreation.org.nz