Trustee

About the Backcountry Trust

The Backcountry Trust is a charitable organisation which funds and supports volunteers to maintain huts and build tracks for outdoor enthusiasts. It is passionate about outdoor recreation and preserving New Zealand’s rich backcountry heritage.

The Trust was established in 2017 by the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC), NZ Deerstalkers Association, and Trail Fund NZ. These three founding organisations provide ongoing support to the independent Backcountry Trust. Each organisation appoints two trustees to comprise the six-person Board. 

The Trust provides the organisational and project management services that are required to enable volunteers and contractors to undertake work on the conservation estate. It works in partnership with, and is partly funded by, the Department of Conservation.

Being a Trustee is a great way to contribute to the work of the Backcountry Trust and help protect and maintain Aotearoa’s backcountry hut and track network.

Further information about the Backcountry Trust can be found here and its rules are here.

Who the Backcountry Trust is looking for

The Backcountry Trust (BCT) is seeking one Trustee for a two year term starting mid-late January 2027.

This Trustee role will be sought and appointed by one of BCT's co-founders, the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC).

This is a volunteer role and the Trustee can be located anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Further details about the role are provided below.

Experience and Expertise

Trustees should demonstrate experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

1. Strategic Leadership

2. Financial Governance

3. Backcountry Heritage or Infrastructure Conservation

Strategic Leadership

Demonstrated ability to:

• Develop and implement strategic plans
• Manage organisational change
• Support effective organisational decision-making

Provide experience of:

• Governance roles in comparable organisations
• Performance monitoring capability within the organisation

Trustees should also possess:

• A practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with New Zealand's backcountry environment.
• An understanding of, and ability to work constructively with, iwi and the Department of Conservation.
• Have solid relationships with the trusts partners or be willing to positively develop these relationships.

Financial Governance

Experience in not-for-profit financial management, including:

• Budgeting and financial planning
• Grant administration
• Financial reporting
• Fundraising or Revenue stream creation
• Risk management and assessment

Experience of the above to be provided.

Backcountry Heritage or Infrastructure Conservation

Practical experience in:

• Track and hut maintenance
• Land management
• Working within the Conservation estate.
• General NZ Building requirements in the backcountry

Commitment to the Trust's Mission

Trustees should demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to the mission and objectives of the Backcountry Trust.
• A willingness to actively contribute to the advancement of the Trust's work.
• The ability to dedicate sufficient time and effort to fulfil their governance responsibilities.

This includes:

Attendance at approximately five Board meetings each year:

• Four online meetings of two to three hours duration.
  • One two-day face-to-face meeting over two days
  • An annual commitment of approximately 50 to 70 hours.
• A willingness to serve a Trustee term of at least two years.

Governance Skills and Behavioural Expectations

Trustees should possess sound governance capabilities, including:

• The ability to analyse information and make informed decisions.
• Strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Effective negotiation and conflict resolution abilities.
• Good judgement and an understanding of governance best practice.
• A clear and sound understanding of the health and safety requirements of a PCBU

Trustees are expected to demonstrate:

• High ethical standards and personal integrity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative and constructive approach to governance.
• Respect for diverse perspectives and viewpoints.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Board values diversity and seeks to ensure that a broad range of skills, experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives are represented around the Board table.

The Board is committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which all Trustees feel respected, valued, and able to contribute effectively.

Independence and Conflict of Interest

Trustees must be independent and free from conflicts of interest that could compromise their ability to act in the best interests of the Trust.

Trustees are required to:

• Declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Manage conflicts in accordance with the Trust's policies and procedures.
• Exercise independent judgement in all Board deliberations and decision-making.

Specific Skills and Succession Planning

The Board will periodically review its collective skills and experience to identify any capability gaps and future requirements.

This process will include:

• Identifying areas where additional expertise is required.
• Supporting effective succession planning.
• Identifying and encouraging future governance leaders.
• Providing development opportunities where appropriate.

The objective is to maintain a capable, effective, and sustainable Board over the long term.

Community Engagement

Trustees should support the Trust's commitment to working collaboratively with communities, iwi, stakeholders, volunteers, and partner organisations.

This may include:

• Seeking and considering community perspectives.
• Building constructive relationships with iwi and local communities.
• Supporting partnerships that advance the Trust's objectives.
• Promoting collaborative approaches to backcountry conservation and heritage preservation.

Board and Trustee Development

The Backcountry Trust is committed to continuous improvement and maintaining high standards of governance.

Trustees are expected to actively contribute to the effectiveness of the Board and to participate in activities that support good governance and ongoing development.

From time to time, the Board may undertake reviews of its collective performance, governance practices, Board composition, and effectiveness in achieving the Trust's strategic objectives.

The outcomes of such reviews will be used to:

• Strengthen governance capability.
• Identify opportunities for improvement.
• Inform succession planning.
• Support Board development and effectiveness.
• Ensure the Trust remains well positioned to fulfil its mission and long-term objectives.

Benefits

As a trustee you will be entitled, as per the deed, to reimbursement of any actual and reasonable expenses incurred by a Trustee in carrying out their duties. The role is essentially voluntary in nature, although a modest stipend ($200/month) is available for those trustees that wish to receive it to assist with incidental out-of-pocket expenses associated with the position.

Start Date

The start date for the successful candidate will ideally be mid-late January 2027, to enable attendance at a two-day governance workshop with the Board in early February 2027.

Please apply by email to Sophie Tucker, FMC Executive Officer at eo@fmc.org.nz.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 6th December 2026.

Your application must include:

• a cover letter
• a short statement outlining how you meet the Trustee Selection Criteria
• a brief curriculum vitae (CV)
• a declaration of any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.