Mahi ā Ora Taiao - Trail Maintenance and Crag Care

Kaitiakitanga — guardianship of the land — is at the heart of everything Affinity Initiative Aotearoa stands for. Mahi ā Ora Taiao is our chance to put that into action together. Join us for a day of trail maintenance and crag clean-up in the Port Hills — restoring the tracks and climbing spaces we love, for the communities that will come after us. Why crag maintenance matters: Climbing crags and trails don't maintain themselves. Without regular care, tracks become overgrown and eroded, fixed anchors deteriorate, and loose rock accumulates — creating real safety risks for everyone who uses these spaces. Litter and vegetation encroachment can also threaten access agreements with landowners and councils, meaning neglected crags can be closed to the public entirely. As climbers and outdoor users, we have a direct stake in keeping these spaces safe, clean, and open. Crag maintenance is how we honour our relationship with the whenua — not just as users of the land, but as guardians of it. Every cleared track, every piece of rubbish removed, and every deteriorating anchor flagged is an act of care that extends the life of these spaces for everyone who comes after us. For communities that have historically had less access to the outdoors, protecting that access matters even more. This is how we make sure it stays.