1. The backcountry is shared space

You’re not just walking through landscapes, you’re walking through other people’s experiences. Some are out there to push hard and chase big days. Some are out there to hear the wind in the tussock and give their nervous system a break. Etiquette helps those different motivations coexist without clashes.

2. The environment is sensitive

NZ looks tough—steep ridgelines, rock, ice, wind that tries to blow you into next week. But the ecosystems themselves are fragile. One shortcut, one patch of dishwater in the wrong place, or one careless fire can have outsized impact. Etiquette is basically “leave no trace” with a practical, Kiwi twist.

3. The hut network runs on trust

DOC huts are one of the best things about tramping in New Zealand. They’re also not hotels. There are no cleaners, no front desk, and no room service, just a shared agreement that if we all look after them, they’ll keep looking after us.

4. When things go wrong, you need each other

If the weather turns, someone sprains an ankle, or a river blows out, the trampers around you are often your first and only support. Etiquette creates a culture where people look out for each other, not just themselves.

Here’s the expanded, nuts-and-bolts version of the unspoken rules. This is how experienced Kiwi trampers quietly expect you to operate.

1. Plan properly so you don’t become “that SAR callout”

Good etiquette starts before you leave the house.

• Choose trips that match your fitness, experience, and gear, not your Instagram feed.

• Check weather and avalanche forecasts (where relevant) and actually adjust your plans if they look dodgy.

• Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re due out, and give them clear instructions on what to do if you don’t check in.

• Carry the basics: warm layers, rain gear, extra food, map / app + power backup, first aid, headlamp, PLB.

When things go really wrong, volunteers leave their jobs and families to come find you. Being under-prepared isn’t just risky, it’s inconsiderate to them and everyone you’re out there with.

Get the right gear for your next hike

2. Stay on the track and camp on durable ground

That inviting little shortcut across the switchback? The trampled tussock beside the boardwalk? The “just a quick detour for a photo” onto soft moss?

Every time someone wanders off the formed track, it slowly widens, erodes, and damages fragile plants that take years to recover.

Basic good form:

• Follow the marked track, even if it’s muddy or slower.

• Don’t cut corners on zig-zags, steep climbs, or sidles.

• When camping, use existing tent sites, clearings, and hard surfaces rather than creating new scars on the landscape.

• In alpine areas, avoid stomping across delicate tarn edges and cushion plants just for a better shot.

You’re not the only one out there. Do what you can so the place still looks wild in ten years.

3. Share the track: giving way and not blocking the flow

New Zealand tracks can be narrow, rooty, and cut into steep slopes. You can’t just spread out like you’re on a city footpath.

General rule: Uphill trampers have right of way. They’re breathing like steam trains and it’s hard to get momentum back if they stop.

But also:

• If you’re in a big group, bunch up and let others pass, especially solo walkers and families.

• When you stop for a breather, photos, or to check the map, step off the main line so people behind you don’t have to dodge.

• On swing bridges: one direction at a time, no bouncing, no overtaking, and definitely no mid-bridge selfies if there are people waiting.

Think of yourself as part of a flow of traffic. Smooth is kind. Chaos is not.

4. Hut life 101: treat it like a shared home, not a cheap hotel

DOC huts are legendary and they only work if everyone does their bit.

Pay and sign in:

• Pay your hut fees or have your pass.

• Always sign the hut book with dates, intentions, and your route—this is gold for DOC and search and rescue.

Space and bunks:

• Claiming a bunk with your pack or sleeping bag is fine once you arrive, but if the hut is full, be prepared to shift things so families, latecomers, or exhausted parties can squeeze in.

• Expect that you might end up on the floor or in your tent if the hut gets crowded.

Chores and tidiness:

• Wipe benches after use, especially if you’ve been working with oil, pasta sauce, or raw meat.

• Sweep before you leave, whether you “made the mess” or not.

• Clear the table so the next group can sit down without navigating your entire pack contents.

• Stack mattresses neatly or prop them to air if it doesn’t disturb sleepers.

• If you bring firewood in from the shed and use it, bring some extra in for the next lot.

The basic rule: Leave the place looking like someone decent stayed there.

5. Leave no trace: take your trash with you

This one’s simple, but you see it broken all the time.

Everything you bring in, you take out:

• Food wrappers

• Instant coffee sachets

• Cable ties, tape, busted laces

• Tissues and wet wipes

• Fruit peels and cores (you don’t want to support the local possum population)

Huts are not dumping grounds. Leaving your half bag of pasta “for someone else” is just outsourcing your rubbish problem. It attracts mice, weka, kea, and eventually DOC staff who now have to carry it out.

Want bonus outdoors karma? Pick up a couple of bits of other people’s rubbish on your way out.

6. Bathroom business: do it right

Toileting done badly is a fast way to ruin a beautiful spot.

If there’s a longdrop:

• Use it, even if it’s a bit whiffy. That’s what it’s there for.

• Don’t throw rubbish, wet wipes, or food down it. That just fills it faster and makes servicing harder.

• Close the lid to keep smells, flies, and animals down.

If there’s no toilet:

• Walk at least 50–70 metres from huts, tracks, and all water sources.

• Dig a small hole about 15–20 cm deep.

• Do your business in the hole and cover it thoroughly.

If you’re busting to go, remember: squatting right beside the track is never the move.

7. Go easy on the tank water – especially in summer

In a dry spell, hut tanks are precious. Once they run out, everyone’s in trouble.

Be conservative and use the minimum you need for cooking, drinking, and washing up.

If there’s a clean freshwater source nearby, consider using this to fill up your bottle or hydration bladder (use a filter or purification tablets if necessary). 

Think of the people who will be using the hut in the days and weeks after you. 

8. Noise, lights, and early starts: respect quiet hours

Huts are echo chambers. Even “normal” volume sounds huge at night.

In practice:

• After about 9–10pm, keep conversation low and laughter contained.

• If you arrive late, slip in quietly, claim a space, and save long catch-ups for the morning.

• Pack most of your gear the night before if you know you’re up early so you’re not playing zip-symphony at 5am.

• Use your headlamp on red or low mode; don’t spotlight people in their sleeping bags.

Snoring? That’s life. Shouting, slamming doors, and rummaging for ten minutes straight in a crackly plastic bag at midnight? That’s a choice.

9. Respect the wildlife 

New Zealand’s birds and ecosystems are under enough pressure without us making it worse.

Respectful behaviour:

• Never feed kea, weka, ducks, or any other wildlife. It teaches them to hassle people and messes with their natural diet.

• Keep your food and rubbish sealed and stored. Rodents don’t need your help.

• Obey dog bans and restrictions. If dogs are allowed, keep them under control and away from nesting areas and livestock.

• Clean and dry your boots and gear between regions or tracks where required. This helps stop the spread of things like didymo and kauri dieback.

You’re a visitor. Try to act like one the local species would actually invite back.

10. Be friendly, helpful, and aware of others

You don’t have to be the hut entertainer, but basic friendliness goes a long way.

• Greet people on the track with a “kia ora” or “how ya going?”

• Share useful beta: river levels, track conditions, weather you’ve just walked through.

• In huts, be open to a quick yarn, a card game, or swapping route stories—it’s part of the culture.

• Keep half an eye out for people who might be struggling, under-equipped, or off-route. Sometimes a gentle suggestion or a bit of help makes all the difference.

You never know when you’ll be the one needing a hand, a spare blister plaster, or a hot drink from someone else’s stove.

What Not to Do in the Outdoors

If you remember nothing else, avoid these classics:

• Bringing a Bluetooth speaker and turning the track into your personal gym playlist.

• Treating huts like your lounge, with gear spread over every flat surface.

• Leaving “helpful” leftover food that inevitably turns into rodent bait.

• Ignoring signs about drones, fire, avalanche paths, or track closures because you “reckon it’ll be sweet”.

• Getting drunk and rowdy in a shared hut. A quiet nip is one thing; a full send is another.

• Acting like you own the place – bullying others for space, lecturing everyone loudly, or assuming your comfort > everyone else’s.

Short version: if future-you would roll your eyes at present-you, maybe don’t do it.

Who has right of way on New Zealand hiking tracks and swing bridges?

On tracks, uphill hikers generally have right of way because it’s harder for them to stop and start. On narrow sections, whoever has the safest place to step aside should yield, regardless of direction. On swing bridges, only one direction should cross at a time, and you should always wait until the bridge is completely clear before stepping on.

How should I go to the toilet when hiking in New Zealand?

Use longdrop toilets whenever they are available. If there are no facilities, walk at least 50–70 metres away from huts, tracks, and water, dig a small hole about 15–20 cm deep, go in the hole, then cover it thoroughly. Toilet paper and wet wipes should be packed out in a rubbish bag, as they don’t break down quickly and animals can dig them up.

Can I wash dishes or myself in rivers and lakes in New Zealand?

You can have a “bath” in a river or lake as long as you’re not using soap or other detergents that can contaminate the water. You shouldn’t really wash dishes in natural water sources as food scraps can pollute water over time. But if you need to give your plate or bowl a rinse, just be mindful of the area and don’t use any dish soap whatsoever. Also be aware some water sources are considered sacred by Maori and should not be used for washing or recreation. 

Can I bring my dog tramping in New Zealand?

You can only bring dogs where they’re explicitly allowed, and often a permit is required. Many conservation areas and all National Parks have strict dog bans to protect native wildlife. Always check DOC rules for each area before you go. If dogs are allowed, keep them under control at all times and away from nesting birds and farm animals.

What should I do if I see someone breaking backcountry etiquette rules?

If it’s safe, a calm, friendly reminder usually goes a long way. Many people simply don’t know the expectations. For serious issues (like unsafe fires, wildlife harassment, or major damage), note the details and let DOC know as soon as you can. Try to focus on education rather than confrontation.