NZAC Affiliations and Associated Organisations

UIAA | FMC | Climbing New Zealand | SPARC | Women Climbing

Union Internationale Des Associations D'Alpinisme (UIAA)

The UIAA was formed in 1932 to represent the interests of climbers. The NZAC was a founding member. Membership of the UIAA is still growing. At present clubs from over 60 countries are members of the organisation.

The UIAA is governed by its Articles of Association. These have recently been reviewed and were re-adopted in 1996. The purposes and tasks of the UIAA are defined in the Articles of Association and are:

The UIAA encourages, develops and supports the practice of all forms of mountaineering and climbing in the international field. It seeks solutions to all fundamental problems of international importance and is committed to provide leadership to the world mountaineering community on all matters of common concern.

The UIAA seeks durable relations with its associated member associations and their leading personalities in the spirit of friendly and close cooperation. It fosters this aim by encouraging meetings and activities, by stimulating understanding between mountaineers of all nations and by promoting knowledge concerning mountaineering. It urges its member associations to extend to the members of other associations the benefits granted to their own members according to the principal of reciprocity.

The UIAA seeks to safeguard and secure access and reasonable use of all mountain areas and promotes awareness of, and respect for, the environment among all users of mountain terrain. It encourages and promotes safety in all aspects of climbing, mountaineering and hillwalking.

The UIAA supports and governs on an international level those competitions and mountaineering sports which are recognized by decision of its General Assembly. It represents those sports within other international organisations, including the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The major work of the UIAA is carried out by its Commissions: Safety, Mountain Protection, Expeditions, Youth, Mountaineering, Medical, Climbing Competitions, Documentation and Information

The NZAC usually sends a representative to the annual General Assembly of the UIAA and, occasionally, to the meetings organised by the various Commissions. Information from the various UIAA Commissions, and from the quarterly UIAA Bulletin, is published regularly in The Climber. Further information on UIAA activities can be obtained from the Convenors of the equivalent NZAC Subcommittees or from the National Office.

Visit UIAA at http://www.theuiaa.org

Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC)

The NZAC initiated the establishment of the Federated Mountain Clubs in 1931 and has retained its membership to the Federation ever since. The FMC is a national federation of tramping, climbing, skiing, mountain biking and deerstalking clubs in New Zealand. The number of skiing and deerstalking clubs has declined steadily since the 1960s. The FMC now consists of around 100 fully affiliated clubs and 25 associate clubs most of whom are school and youth adventure trusts. Combined membership of affiliated and associated clubs currently stands at around 12,000. In 1995 an Individual Supporters membership, set at $30, was introduced and individual members numbered around 250.

The NZAC is by far the largest individual club affiliated to the FMC but tramping clubs make up about 90% of the total number of affiliated clubs. They dominate the FMC Executive and strongly influence the policies and submissions made by the Federation especially on issues such as conservation, access, preservation and Maori claims and Treaty issues. The NZAC prepares submissions in its own right through its Recreation Advocacy Subcommittee. These are often, but not always, supportive of positions taken by the FMC and occasionally the NZAC may wish to distance itself from positions, actions or approaches taken by the FMC where they differ from our own aims and philosophies.

The FMC has played a major role in gaining protection for and the sound management of our National Parks, Forest Parks, Reserves and Wilderness areas. The FMC helped create the New Zealand Search and Rescue system, was instrumental in the creation of the Mountain Safety Council, introduced the Wilderness concept to New Zealand and was the initiator of the New Zealand Walkways system.

NZAC Members are entitled to an FMC membership card which entitles the holder to significant discounts on a range of services including travel, accommodation, publications, training and overseas trekking. The FMC also publishes quarterly, the FMC Bulletin. The FMC Bulletin contains many articles discussing a wide range of topical environmental matters and conservation issues. The FMC Bulletin is free to members of all its affiliated Clubs and therefore is posted free to NZAC Members.

Visit FMC at http://www.fmc.org.nz

Climbing New Zealand(formerly New Zealand Sportclimbing Federation)

CNZ is an incorporated society with its own membership and fees. The CNZ originated as a Sub-Committee of the NZAC and became a separate identity in 1994. However CNZ remains affiliated to the NZAC and as a consequence receives UIAA membership and access to annual grants from the Hillary Commission.

CNZ aims to promote the sport of indoor climbing in New Zealand. CNZ organises an annual series of indoor competitions and runs specialist courses to train competition officials such as judges and route-setters. The NZSF is active in promoting the sport at school level and also assists with coaching and the selection of a national team.

CNZ can assist New Zealand climbers wishing to participate in the Oceania and World Cup sportclimbing competitions. Typically this has been by providing the required international licensing. Financial support for New Zealand climbers participating at overseas events may also be possible.

CNZ is represented on the UIAA Commission for Climbing Competitions which oversees international competitions.

Visit CNZ at http://www.nzsf.org.nz

Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) Hillary Commission for Sport Fitness and Leisure

The NZAC is recognized by the SPARC as the national organisation representing climbing in New Zealand. Each year the NZAC coordinates applications to SPARC for funding assistance from a number of 'climbing clubs'. Applications are prepared individually by the NZAC, New Zealand Sportclimbing Federation and Women Climbing Inc. and jointly submitted by the NZAC in May each year. SPARC bulk funds these organisations nationally and monitors their performance in the delivery of agreed key outcomes. Decisions on funding are announced by SPARC in July each year.

Division of the money so given by SPARC occurs following discussion and mutual agreement between the three climbing organisations.

The funds allotted to the NZAC are distributed by the Club to support its National Instruction, Section Instruction and general club operations. A formula, typically based on numbers of student-instruction-days, is used to allocate the funds between Sections. Sections are advised each year of the formula used. Sections are required to maintain records of instruction courses and trips they have run and to provide written reports to Club Headquarters to enable accurate reporting to SPARC each year.

Visit SPARC at http://www.sparc.org.nz

Women Climbing

Women Climbing Inc. is a network of women who get into rock-climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, alpine tramping and other outdoor activities. We were established to encourage women’s participation in mountaineering, related mountain activities and rock-climbing. Our members are active women who also enjoy other activities like mountain biking, tramping, skiing, caving and orienteering.

Our mission is to provide a network of information about these activities and contacts to help women into them. We offer courses and trips in a safe environment. We aim to build skills so all of our members can enjoy the mountains safely.

Visit womenclimbing at http://womenclimbing.freezope.org/