"Leave it better than you found it"—this is the mantra driving a dedicated group of volunteers committed to restoring New Zealand’s remote hiking huts. Scattered across the stunning landscapes of the country, these rustic shelters vary from cozy two-person accommodations to large fortresses with 54 bunks, providing weary trekkers a place to rest and rejuvenate. Some huts are conveniently located along popular trails like the Milford and Routeburn tracks, while others are nestled in secluded valleys, showcasing breathtaking views that range from towering snowy peaks to lush, thriving bushland.
However, the sheer size of this publicly owned network poses a challenge for government maintenance. That's where passionate individuals across New Zealand step in, packing cleaning supplies into their backpacks and venturing into the hills to spruce up these essential refuges.
One such volunteer is Suzie Bell, who made her way from the UK to New Zealand in 2010. Upon discovering the local tradition of "tramping"—the Kiwi term for hiking—she was immediately captivated by the existence of these remarkable huts in such remote locations. "I was truly amazed to find these incredible huts situated in the middle of nowhere that you could stay in for just a small fee," she reflects, still in awe of the experience.
Most of these huts can only be accessed by foot, meaning that hikers must carry in their own food while also ensuring they take their rubbish back out with them. The smaller huts, accommodating four or fewer bunks, are completely free for anyone to use.
Bell appreciates the honesty box system for payments at the huts, noting how it promotes a sense of community among visitors. "It's wonderful to see everyone cleaning up after themselves and to share meals, play cards, and have conversations with total strangers," she shares warmly.
Feeling inspired to give back, Bell joined the "Love our Huts" campaign alongside her family. This initiative, which was launched by the Federated Mountain Club (FMC), an organization dedicated to outdoor recreation in New Zealand, has attracted over 300 volunteers who are eager to contribute.
As Liz Wightwick, an FMC executive committee member and avid tramper, puts it, "Our huts are treasured parts of our cultural heritage, and we want to ensure they endure for generations to come. This campaign clearly shows that people are willing to put in the effort to care for these huts."
New Zealand boasts a network of more than 950 huts, with the earliest structures dating back to the late 1800s. Initially built for purposes such as gold mining, surveying, and mustering livestock, these huts later served conservation efforts, offering shelter to deer hunters and forestry workers. In the late 1980s, they were unified under a national network, overseen by the Department of Conservation.
This summer alone, more than 500 huts have been revitalized by enthusiastic volunteers. Psychologist Jo Clark, equipped with rubber gloves, window-cleaning newspapers, and eco-friendly cleaning sachets, embarked on a five-hour hike with her two daughters to assist in restoring Clark Hut, located in Fiordland National Park.
Thirteen-year-old Freda Clark shares that she and her sister Ada, aged 11, participated by wiping down mattresses, cleaning windows, and pulling weeds around the hut. "The huts don’t really get cleaned unless people like us step in to help," she notes.
Eamonn Whitham, the acting director of heritage and visitors at the conservation department, acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining such a vast and remote network, especially given the challenges posed by severe weather. "Without the dedication of enthusiastic New Zealanders willing to contribute their time and effort, we could not keep our beloved huts and tracks safe and well-maintained," he emphasizes.
Many of these huts are isolated and receive only a handful of visitors each year, such as Top Otoroh Bivvy, which Wightwick cleaned after an eight-hour trek into the Kelly Ranges. For volunteers like Bell, participating in this initiative goes beyond simple maintenance; it's a cherished opportunity to bond with her family.
After a challenging four-hour hike through the rolling tussock hills to reach A-Frame Hut in the Hakatere Conservation Park, Bell and her young sons, Liam, five, and James, seven, got to work tidying up. "I always aim to teach my children to leave things better than they found them and to do something kind for the next person who comes along," she explains.
Bell connects these efforts to the Māori principle of kaitiakitanga, which emphasizes our role as guardians of the environment, responsible for protecting it for future generations. "With so many troubling issues occurring globally, it can feel overwhelming. But I firmly believe in focusing on what we can manage within our own sphere of influence—like taking care of the huts in our own backyard."
