AusLeisure

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DoC) is considering restricting the number of people who can enter popular national parks at peak times.

Even without international tourists, high numbers are visiting DoC managed parks. As reported by RadioNZ, in Tongariro National Park the number of hikers on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing reached 122,200 last summer.

Advising that DoC is exploring ways to make sure the numbers visiting national parks don't overwhelm facilities, New Zealand Conservation Minister, Kiri Allan told RadioNZ last week “this is an ongoing issue for us.

''We want to make sure we can preserve the values of these incredible places.''

Minister Allan said DoC is always working to strike the balance between the number of people using the parks, with preserving the integrity of the environment.

Specifically she advised that DoC is in discussions with iwi about a possible trial to cap of numbers entering Tongariro National Park.

She said she was confident the country's national parks are being looked after and maintained in an exceptional way by Te Papa Atawhai, DoC in conjunction with its various partners where that is appropriate, adding “we are pretty confident there is sufficient resourcing there to do a good job.”

Related Articles

2nd November 2020 - Leisure related portfolios announced in ‘incredibly diverse’ New Zealand cabinet

20th June 2019 - Ring of Fire endurance race to be held in Tongariro National Park in 2020

28th November 2012 - Tourism operators welcome visitors back to Tongariro

30th August 2012 - Partially re-opened Tongariro Alpine Crossing now with new appeal

7th August 2012 - Search for hikers after Mount Tongariro erupts

5th July 2012 - Experts move to stop rogue Tongariro visitors

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.