New Department of Conservation strategy encourages responsible enjoyment of New Zealand’s outdoors

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has today released a Heritage and Visitor Strategy providing important guidance for its efforts to sustainably manage visitors to the public conservation estate.

Released 25 years after DOC’s first developed a visitor strategy, the new strategy takes account of the significant increase in New Zealanders visiting conservation areas, the rapid growth and fluctuation in the numbers of international visitors, as well as changes in how people want to get into nature and connect with country’s heritage.

Acknowledging that the new strategy had “been a long time coming”, New Zealand Minister of Conservation, Kiri Allan stated “it has been a quarter of a century since DOC first developed a visitor strategy. Things have obviously changed quite a bit since then.

“New Zealanders live in one of the most incredible places on Earth - with a natural, cultural and historic environment like no other. More than ever, people want to visit public conservation land and waters to experience our unique heritage,” says Kiri Allan.

“The new Heritage and Visitor Strategy … provides a framework for DOC to navigate the changing context for visitors and realise potential benefits for conservation and all New Zealanders.”

Stating that the emphasis on heritage is an important one, Minister Allan noted “DOC may be best known as a caretaker for our native plants and wildlife, but its staff also manage the largest heritage portfolio in the country - over 13,000 sites right across Aotearoa.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how DOC needs to be able to quickly adapt to fluctuating numbers and visitor patterns in the short-term. The long-term implications of COVID-19 are yet to be seen, but in responding to the crisis and supporting recovery, there is an opportunity to reimagine a better future for New Zealand tourism.”

“The strategy aims to shift DOC into a more proactive space so it can anticipate and plan for future changes; and create opportunities for visitors to support productive, sustainable and inclusive economies and enhance community wellbeing.”

The strategy’s long-term goal is to build a system in which visitors contribute, directly or indirectly, to the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage (in the way the current International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy contributes to the facilities, places and species that international visitors come here to enjoy).

Its release has been welcomed by Tourism Industry Aotearoa, with TIA Chief Executive, Chris Roberts stating “DOC is arguably the single most important player in the visitor system (and) we are pleased the finalised document notes the importance of the relationship with TIA and the wider tourism industry. TIA is committed to working with DOC to achieve positive outcomes for both conservation and tourism.

“In 2015, TIA and DOC developed a tourism/conservation partnership via the Groundswell project and it is pleasing to see DOC recognise the ongoing relevance of this initiative in the strategy.”

With TIA having continually highlighted improvements needed to planning and concessions systems, to reduce unnecessary barriers to sustainable private sector activities, Roberts added “we want to see the overhaul of outdated legislation, including the Conservation Act 1987 and National Parks Act 1980. This legislation does not respond to 21st Century pressures and opportunities.”

DOC manages many of New Zealand’s greatest tourism assets that attract our international visitors. It also controls hundreds of commercial tourism operations that operate on conservation lands and waters via concession processes.

The Heritage and Visitor Strategy precedes tomorrow’s release of the latest report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

Click here to view the full Heritage and Visitor Strategy, plus more information on the strategy’s goals, approach and focus areas.