About Us

We are a national organisation who has been working for more than 50 years with a mandate to encourage safe participation in land-based outdoor activities. We do this through the development and promotion of safety messaging, by identifying and responding to insights provided by the ongoing collection and analysis of data, and by building partnerships with relevant organisations. 

Our vision

Safer places, safer activities, safer people.

Our mission

Enabling people to enjoy their outdoors recreation safely.

Our values
  • Professionalism: We will collaborate with the rest of the outdoor sector and share what we know.
  • Integrity: We will be open and honest in everything we do.
  • Trust: We will be the organisation people look to for how to get prepared and stay safe outdoors 

How we work

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How it all began

In December 1965, the National Parks Authority Chairman at the time, R.J. MacLachlan, welcomed the setting up of a national organisation to promote mountain safety as a result of increasing incidents in New Zealand's outdoors.

This council consisted of members of various recreational and governmental organisations who worked as a preventative solution to these issues by providing safety messaging, safety advisory systems and volunteer-run courses for those wanting to experience New Zealand's great outdoors.

Some of the iconic pieces of work produced with the help of our partners have been:

  • 'The 'Bushcraft Manual' which can be found in many old holiday baches' shelves – this was first released in 1968 and is still alive today - This manual has been repeatedly revised and updated since its first release in 1968, and is still in active use today
  • 'Dumb Ways To Die' is one of many educational resources provided to outdoor education courses.

For 50 years we continued these practices with many partnerships, insights and forms of safety messaging being continually developed as we grew as an organisation. Our primary goal has always been, and remains, the safety of people in the outdoors. But we know a lot more now than we did in 1965.

We would like acknowledge and thank everyone who has been a part of our history. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to face the future with such confidence. Your past and present contributions have given us a solid platform to build on and we’re excited to see where it takes us. #MakeItHomeNZ

MSC Logo - Historical MSC Logo - Historical MSC Logo - Current
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Board

Our organisational efforts rely on the collaboration of many outdoor representatives and supporters. This includes our board, member organisations and funders who all strive for improved outdoor safety in New Zealand. You can also contact our MSC team on the Contact Us section. Read more

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Partners

Our Member OrganisationsThe New Zealand Mountain Safety Council consists of a group of Member Organisations who all have a vested interest in safety in the outdoors. These Council Members form the organisation's Governance structure, providing strategic direction.                                             Read more

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Funders

New Zealand Lottery Grants BoardThe New Zealand Lottery Grants Board’s purpose is to benefit the New Zealand community by distributing the profits from state lotteries run by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission. Read more

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Retail Partners

See who we work withThe Outdoor Safety Retail Partnership has been designed to give those exploring the outdoors a clear and consistent message about their role in staying safe in the outdoors. Read more

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Business Documents

Explore our business documents in the links below. Annual Reports Strategic Plan MSC Constitution Annual General Meeting Minutes Business Plans Audited Accounts Read more