Research & Insights

Below you will find our growing collection of MSC research and insights publications. Each page covers a specific research or insights project, with the newest at the bottom.   

Research and insights provide us with the evidence we need to focus our prevention effort where it is most needed. We access a wide range of data relating to participation and incidents in the outdoors, and through careful analysis we develop these varied data sources into insights.

These insights shape our key safety messages and safety campaigns, our understanding of target audiences, and our targeted prevention initiatives.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Measuring the Impact of Plan My Walk

A study into the benefits, impacts and positive outcomes of using Plan My Walk. Read more

Silberhorn Grand Plateau, Tasman Glacier | Gavin Lang

Above and Beyond Mountaineering Research

An exploration of the culture, behaviours and attitudes of the NZ mountaineering community towards avalanche safety. Read more

Public observation submitted by Nick Shearer | August 2019 | The Towers Treble Cone Backcountry

Avalanche Incidents in NZ

An in-depth look at 25 years of avalanche incident data Read more

People planning with Plan My Walk at home, Caleb Smith

How a NZ tramp is planned

An in-depth study of behaviours of trip planning Read more

scaling success banner

Scaling Success

During 2017/2018 the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) developed a series of track-specific tramping videos. The purpose of the video series was to provide a specific planning resource that could be used in the ‘active trip-planning’ phase of trip preparations. Read more

Tramping on Ridgeline | Nathan Watson

A Walk in the Park?

A deep dive into tramping incidents in New Zealand Read more

msc HC alpinescape greyscale 17

A Hunter's Tale

A deep dive into hunting incidents in New Zealand Read more

msc YZ tramp lake edge trampers 16 v2

There and Back

An exploration of outdoor recreation incidents in New Zealand Read more