Help preserve our backcountry – and win big!

If you love the wild places of Aotearoa and that unbeatable sense of freedom only the backcountry can bring, then you’ll be stoked to hear that PlaceMakers is a big supporter of ensuring that access continues 

To celebrate the Backcountry Trust’s participation in this year’s Sika Show – New Zealand’s largest hunting, outdoor, and adventure expo – PlaceMakers is giving Kiwis an extra reason to get behind a great cause. Between 2 and 9 November, every donation you make to the Backcountry Trust (BCT) helps protect New Zealand’s rugged wilderness and puts you in the draw to win a $250 PlaceMakers voucher and a load of merchandise! The winner will be drawn on 11 November. 

Why Backcountry Trust matters 

The Backcountry Trust is a Kiwi organisation devoted to preserving and maintaining our remote huts, tracks, and mountain bike trails on public conservation land. 

• Since its inception, the Trust has helped restore 300+ huts and 2,000+ km of walking and mountain bike tracks. 

• It works shoulder-to-shoulder with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and volunteer groups across New Zealand. 

• These huts and tracks aren’t just amenities – they’re lifelines for trampers, hunters, mountain bikers, and wilderness seekers alike. 

• Your support makes a tangible difference: fixing huts, rebuilding tracks, clearing bridges, and helping communities maintain access to the wild. 

“By donating, you’re helping protect a part of our outdoor heritage – ensuring that future generations can keep exploring safely and sustainably,” says Operations Manager and backcountry enthusiast Rob Brown. 

“Every donation we receive goes straight into real work on the ground. It helps us cover the nuts and bolts of these projects – from helicopter lifts and materials to the volunteers who put in the hard yards. 

“Your support helps us restore those classic huts from the ’60s and ’70s that generations of Kiwis have relied on and keep the tracks and trails in good shape so people can continue exploring the wild corners of Aotearoa safely. 

“Every dollar genuinely makes a difference – and we’re incredibly grateful to PlaceMakers for backing the Trust and helping keep the backcountry open for everyone.” 

How to participate 

From 2 to 9 November, every donation you make to the Backcountry Trust will enter you into the draw. 

1. Donate to the Backcountry Trust between 2 and 9 November. 

1. Every donation dollar counts as an entry, $100 equals 100 entries. 

1. Winners will be drawn once the promotion ends (terms & conditions apply).

As BCT is a registered charitable trust, donations are tax deductible in New Zealand.  

By donating during this special window – and celebrating the Backcountry Trust’s presence at the Sika Show – you’re doing more than giving money. You’re standing up for Aotearoa’s backcountry and the communities that keep it alive. 

And yes, you might also win a $250 PlaceMakers voucher and some sweet gear while you’re at it. 

So why wait? Head to our the BCT donation page between 2 and 9 November, donate what you can, and help keep the backcountry wild – together.