(Note: this is part of the larger work New Zealand Huts: Notes towards a Country Study)

The unique features of NZ extremely robust tramping cultures grew out of: the nation’s colonial history and its pioneer and exploring culture; the close connection of its people to the land; the valorizing of versatility, self-sufficiency and individualism; the unparalleled scenery; the great number and diversity of tramping clubs; an egalitarian outdoors culture; an ethos of access to crown lands as a civic right; a preference for simplicity and eschewing of “flash” amenities; a sense of tramping as a social experience and of huts as a key component and connection to heritage; a well-developed publishing industry; and of course the remarkable government operated infrastructure of huts and tracks.  These (and other) roots and causes are explored in Tramping: a New Zealand History (Potton and Burton, 2014) by Shaun Barnett and Chris Maclean, and in many other publications adding detail and nuance.  Tramping remains a major national pastime today and is increasingly an antidote to urban life.

I hope to learn more about how tramping is evolving in the 21st century in response to societal changes and needs. Specifically, I’d like to explore current trends and issues on the following topics to make cross-cultural comparisons and understand better what the USA might learn from NZ tramping culture:

• Demographics and rates of participation?
  • Percentages of Kiwis engaged in tramping of different kinds, e.g. Great Walks, backcountry huts, day walks, alpine walks and skiing, etc.
  • Participation of Maori and other ethnic minority communities;
  • Trends in participation over time by socio-economic factors, gender and age.

• Tramping Clubs:
  • Trends in club membership and in the nature of programming. 
  • How are clubs staying relevant? Long the gateways for introducing new generations to tramping skills and tramping tracks, how are clubs responding to factors such as:
    • the increased availability of guidebooks and online resources?
    • Other sources for learning outdoor skills?
    • meet-up groups and social media?
    • more recreational opportunities, e.g. orienteering, cycling, kayaking and water sports, etc.
      
  • Trends in involvement in voluntary hut and track maintenance?
  • What are the trends and issues in university tramping clubs?  Is the culture changing?

• Engagement of youth. Traditionally NZ youth are encouraged to ply outdoors and learn about nature.  What are the trends in this societal expectation?
  • Trends in clubs (e.g. scouting/girl guides, Duke of Edinburgh Trust), and other groups for transmitting outdoor skills (e.g. Outdoor Education Trusts, other non-profit organizations)?

• Changes in tramping as New Zealand society changes, becoming increasingly urbanized and influenced by international lifestyle trends.

• Relations of tramping communities with hunting/fishing communities?
  • How have these changed over time? 
  • How does increased voluntary hut and track maintenance affect relations between these groups, intentionally and unintentionally?
  • Are there programs aiming to find common cause among these different outdoors communities? 
  • What organizations and publications do they share in common?

Questions and suggestions welcome!