Natalie Looyer: Sixty Years of Rock Climbing in Aotearoa – A New Zealand History

Canterbury Westland Section Talk

Natalie Looyer: Sixty years of rock climbing in Aotearoa. A New Zealand history.

Natalie will talk about her recent PhD research – the growth of rock climbing in Aotearoa from the 1960s to the 2020s – and what drew her to this project. From its novel beginnings, rock climbing grew through several distinct stages to become a diverse, popular, and – as some would argue – mainstream sport. Oral history interviews with New Zealand rock climbers helped bring themes, stories, and memories to life, some of which Natalie will share alongside photos and plans for future publication.
Natalie Looyer is an oral historian and has recently completed her PhD in History at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Natalie is back home in Ōtautahi Christchurch with funding from the Judith Binney Trust to convert her thesis into a book.

Canterbury Westland Section Night: Thursday 5 March 2026
The Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo Street, Sydenham
Door open 7pm with talk starting at 7:30pm

If you want to purchase an alcoholic drink from the bar, you must show a Guest pass. You can pick one of these up inside the room we meet in where they’ll be on a table near the door. Everyone is welcome, you don’t need to be an NZAC member to attend and entry is free.

The original information is taken from: Facebook