Jewel of the East Cape's coastline under review
The jewel of the East Cape's coastline is under review for the first time in 25 years, with locals hoping the marine reserve will remain protected for many generations to come. Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve, about 20 minutes north of Gisborne city, was created in 1999, with an Iwi condition that it be reviewed in 2025. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook went to visit.
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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Plan to charge foreign tourists welcomed
A plan to charge international visitors access to Milford Sound will raise revenue for an underfunded national park, one tourism operator says. At the National Party conference at the weekend, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka announced international visitors would need to pay a fee to access Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki/Mount Cook. About 80% of people who visit these attractions are overseas tourists. Mr Potaka said tourists made a big contribution to the economy which no-one wanted to change. However, many of his friends visiting from overseas were shocked they could visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free, he said. "It's only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution of between $20 and $40 per person." It was expected the scheme could raise up to $62 million a year which would be re-invested back into the same areas, he said. New Zealanders will still have free access. Ultimate Hikes operates a guided walk business on the Milford and Routeburn tracks. General manager Noel Saxon said he was supportive of the proposed fee as he was aware how underfunded the national parks were. It made a lot of sense for the money raised at Milford Sound to be used in the running costs of the Fiordland National Park, he said. In national parks overseas, people paid to enter, he said. At this stage he was unsure how the proposed fees would affect the company as it already paid a concession to use the tracks. The Milford Track ended at Milford Sound so it was possible the company would have to pay more, he said. Fiordland Community Board chairwoman Diane Holmes said the Milford Opportunities Project consulted the community about charging tourists to access Fiordland National Park. She believed the new fee had community support. During the consultation, fees as high as $115 had been suggested but charging a lower fee was "much fairer". Other countries charged for access to similar attractions, she said. It was good the money would return to the conservation estate as the Department of Conservation spent a lot of time and money making sure the tracks were clear and the facilities clean, she said. Amber Court Motel owner Aaron Liu said he was not in favour of charging people a fee to visit the sound. "For me it's too much." Visitors already had to pay a $10 an hour fee to park there, he said. Mr Luxon also announced changes to the concession laws which allow businesses to operate on conservation land. "The concessions regime is totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo," he said. Southland MP Joseph Mooney said fixing the concession laws would support Southland's tourism sector, grow the region's economy and create more jobs. The present system was stopping Southlanders from making the most of the land and opportunities around them, he said.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Plan to charge foreign tourists for access to key sites welcomed
A plan to charge international visitors access to Milford Sound will raise revenue for an underfunded national park, one tourism operator says. At the National Party conference at the weekend, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka announced international visitors would need to pay a fee to access Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki/Mount Cook. About 80% of people who visit these attractions are overseas tourists. Mr Potaka said tourists made a big contribution to the economy which no-one wanted to change. However, many of his friends visiting from overseas were shocked they could visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free, he said. "It's only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution of between $20 and $40 per person." It was expected the scheme could raise up to $62million a year which would be re-invested back into the same areas, he said. New Zealanders will still have free access. Ultimate Hikes operates a guided walk business on the Milford and Routeburn tracks. General manager Noel Saxon said he was supportive of the proposed fee as he was aware how underfunded the national parks were. It made a lot of sense for the money raised at Milford Sound to be used in the running costs of the Fiordland National Park, he said. In national parks overseas, people paid to enter, he said. At this stage he was unsure how the proposed fees would affect the company as it already paid a concession to use the tracks. The Milford Track ended at Milford Sound so it was possible the company would have to pay more, he said. Fiordland Community Board chairwoman Diane Holmes said the Milford Opportunities Project consulted the community about charging tourists to access Fiordland National Park. She believed the new fee had community support. During the consultation, fees as high as $115 had been suggested but charging a lower fee was "much fairer". Other countries charged for access to similar attractions, she said. It was good the money would return to the conservation estate as the Department of Conservation spent a lot of time and money making sure the tracks were clear and the facilities clean, she said. Amber Court Motel owner Aaron Liu said he was not in favour of charging people a fee to visit the sound. "For me it's too much." Visitors already had to pay a $10 an hour fee to park there, he said. Mr Luxon also announced changes to the concession laws which allow businesses to operate on conservation land. "The concessions regime is totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo," he said. Southland MP Joseph Mooney said fixing the concession laws would support Southland's tourism sector, grow the region's economy and create more jobs. The present system was stopping Southlanders from making the most of the land and opportunities around them, he said.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Luxon announces trip to Papua New Guinea on 50th anniversary of bilateral relations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced plans to travel to Papua New Guinea this week to celebrate half a century of that country's independence. The trip to the capital Port Moresby today also commemorates 50 years of bilateral relations, which started before Papua New Guinea was officially independent, with New Zealand one of the first to welcome the new state. New Zealand has spent $135 million in development funding there for the three years to 2027, focused primarily on health including the construction of a centre for eye health at Port Moresby General Hospital in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation. A $10m contribution is also going towards childhood vaccinations through the Accelerated Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening Programme. Luxon said he is committed to partnership with Papua New Guinea for another 50 years. "I look forward to seeing my friend Prime Minister [James] Marape. New Zealand was among the first countries to welcome Papua New Guinea into the community of nations in 1975. We've been close partners ever since, with Prime Minister Marape and I committed to building our partnership for the next 50 years," he said. "New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are more than neighbours: We are partners in shaping the future of our home region, the Pacific. As the largest and most populated Pacific Island country, Papua New Guinea is an important player in the Pacific family." The Defence Force last month also announced it would be sending Army gunners from 16th Field Regiment to Papua New Guinea to help with mortar training, including a live fire exercise. The PNG Defence Force will in return provide jungle training to the gunners. The Prime Minister's delegation departs New Zealand on Monday, 4 August, returning Wednesday, 6 August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
