About

The RBPA's purpose is to enable access to New Zealand's backcountry for fixed wing aircraft.

Formed by our founding members in 2012, we continue to work with with DOC, backcountry user groups, and other stakeholders who enjoy the backcountry. We ask all our members to fly considerately, care for the conservation estate, and respect other visitors to the backcountry. We also support conservation initiatives, make contributions toward public facilities in the backcountry, and support targeted pest control initiatives.

Gaining our concession to land aircraft in conservation estate and national parks was a long and deeply involved process. This would not be possible without help and support from the Department of Conservation and the RBPA volunteers. Our concession is an asset to New Zealand's aviation community, we work to ensure it is safeguarded.

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Using fixed wing aircraft to access New Zealand's hard to reach places began as early as the 1920s, but it didn't become mainstream until the 1950s and beyond. The 1960s and 1970s saw a huge boom of airstrip creation and identification, mostly in support of increased visitor access and venison recovery. Many of these places are still in use today. Fixed wing aircraft access to the backcountry is an increasingly unique and special way for recreational users to reach backcountry locations.