Latest news with #Fiordland
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
International visitor numbers back to 93% of pre-Covid figures
Bookings at Department of Conservation huts, campsites and Great Walks brought in more than $13 million last summer. Aoraki Mount Cook is one of the most popular national parks. Photo: Getty Images The department's latest visitor insights showed almost 670,000 bednights were booked between December and February - a 12 percent increase on the previous year - with revenue up by more than 18 percent. Department of Conservation heritage and visitors director Catherine Wilson said landscapes and scenery remained top attractions for international visitors and short walks were still the most popular outdoor activity across the board. "Over summer, international visitor numbers were back to 93 percent of pre-Covid figures with more than 50 percent heading to a national park during their visit," she said. "Huts and campsite fees ensure people make a fair contribution when they stay in these places and help keep facilities available into the future." Fiordland and Aoraki Mount Cook were the two most popular national parks. "Almost 75 percent of international visitors enjoy walks or tramps during their time in New Zealand and 99 percent rated New Zealand's natural scenery as good or very good," Wilson said. Coastal areas and marine reserves were also popular with New Zealanders, but not without problems, she said. "Sadly, there was also persistent illegal fishing or collecting shellfish in marine reserves with 101 confirmed offences and 79 infringements between October 2024 to March 2025." The reserves Te Whanganui-o-Hei on the Coromandel Peninsula, Horoirangi in Tasman Bay, and Long Bay-Okura in Auckland saw the highest number of offences. "This behaviour is truly disappointing, and we've seen wider issues across the country this summer. This includes dogs attacking wildlife, people driving through endangered river-bird colonies and irresponsible camping harming vulnerable natural areas like alpine wetlands," Wilson said. The department's data showed almost 60,000 people hiked a Great Walk between December and February, 60 percent of whom were New Zealanders. Outside of the Great Walks, more than 450,000 bednights were booked at campsites and 70,000 in huts over this period.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Much-loved businessman killed on fishing trip in Fiordland remembered
The missing boat was found shortly after midnight at in Safe Cove on Lake Manapouri. Photo: An Invercargill businessman who was found dead while on a fishing trip in Fiordland is being remembered as full of energy and passion. Southland KIA confirmed on social media that its dealer principal Rick Murrell had died, calling him a much-loved figure in the Southland community, who was larger-than-life, quick witted, and "a character that everyone admired and enjoyed being around". A search was launched when two experienced fishermen did not return from a fishing trip on Lake Manapouri on Sunday night and failed to check in via radio. A local helicopter located the boat in Safe Cove about 12.30am with both men onboard. The other man was taken to hospital in a serious condition, and police said he was recovering well. Police are investigating his death on behalf of the coroner. Southland KIA said Murrell lived life on his own terms and made the most of every moment. "Ricky passed away while enjoying one of his greatest passions, time on his boat, in the dramatic and beautiful scenery of Fiordland," his workplace said. "Fiordland holds a deep and personal history for the Murrell family, making it all the more poignant that Ricky spent his final moments in a place so closely tied to his roots." He left behind his wife and three children. "Ricky will be remembered for his dedication to family, passionate friendship, his laughter, and his sense of adventure," the company said. "He will be deeply missed." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Girl who died in Fiordland drowning missed 'every moment, every day'
Tegan Chen, 10, drowned in Marian Creek in Fiordland National Park in 2024. Photo: Supplied The mother of a 10-year-old Australian girl who drowned during a visit to New Zealand says the a coroner's report into her daughter's death has spurred feelings of overwhelming sadness as well as some comfort. Tegan Chen, of Lindfield, New South Wales, drowned in the fast-flowing Marian Creek in Fiordland National Park in January last year after she fell in and was swept downstream. In findings released 9 July, Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale described Tegan as "a very active and happy girl". Tegan's mother, Deb Fung, said she missed her daughter "every moment, every day". Fung said pictures in the coroner's report showed how easy it was to walk out onto the rocks from the track. The Department of Conservation installed warning signs immediately after the incident, with permanent signs installed later. A viewing platform that had been planned prior to Tegan's death had also been completed in June, covering the rocks that were previously accessible. Barriers had been constructed on all sides of the platform. A viewing platform that had been planned prior to Tegan Chen's death was completed in June, covering the rocks that were previously accessible. The top photo shows the new platform, with the bottom images showing what the site looked like earlier. Photo: Supplied / Department of Conservation "I'm glad that they've done that and, gosh, if that had been in place before ... which, when you think about it," Fung said, tapering off as she considered other outcomes of their visit to the national park. She said the family had been processing their grief and were grateful for the support of their family and friends. "Holding the memories of her very closely ... building memories with her in spirit differently," Fung said. "I guess facing the pain rather than trying to escape and trying to forget has been ... our approach ... and that's really helped." Fung said her daughter's passing had changed the family's perspective on life. "Just learning to try and embrace whatever days we have ahead of us and projects or things that have meaning and purpose rather than just going about life like nothing has changed or nothing really matters," she said. Tegan Chen (middle) with her parents and two older brothers. Photo: Supplied Tegan's father, Adrian Chen, said the family were constantly reminded of what they had lost, but they were also looking at opportunities to make a difference to other people with what they had experienced. "There is a lot of grief and a lot of traumas out there, not just for us, ... that a lot of people are going through," he said. "If we can be an encouragement to others ... and I guess almost helping people to see difficult circumstances is not just something to mourn and grief, but something that can also reshape us. "Like there's strength and resolve even amidst the tears and grief." Adrian Chen said it could be difficult for men to open up if they encountered difficult situations, but it was important for them to "take time out and to reflect and to face those emotions". "I think without the chance to do that, then ... I think what often happens is that we will bottle it up and then we'll have an eruption, like a volcano exploding," he said. Adrian Chen and Deb Fung Photo: Supplied The couple were planning to build a memorial garden outside of Sydney in which people could plant trees to mark the birth and passing of loved ones, which, at the same time, would be a reforestation project that helped the environment, Fung said. Aaron Fleming, director of operations in Southern South Island at the Department of Conservation, said the department looked closely at its facilities, systems and processes following a tragedy like this to identify room for improvement and ensure steps were taken to reduce the likelihood of similar things happening. "On behalf of the Department of Conservation I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Tegan's family and acknowledge the terrible loss they have suffered," Fleming said. "We have an ongoing programme of reviewing of similar sites across public conservation lands to identify any that need further hazard warnings in place."
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- RNZ News
'Very active and happy' girl died in accidental Fiordland drowning, coroner says
Tegan Chen died after she slipped and fell into Marian Creek last year. Photo: Supplied A 10-year-old tourist died in Fiordland National Park due to "an accidental slip, during a happy family journey which had appalling consequences", a coroner says. Tegan Chen, of Lindfield, New South Wales, last year drowned in the fast-flowing Marian Creek, in the Hollyford Valley, after she fell in and was swept downstream. In findings released on Wednesday morning, Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale described Chen as "a very active and happy girl". "She was brave and expressive. She loved horse riding, dancing, and performing for her family and friends. She had written many song lyrics," Borrowdale said. The fall happened on Lake Marian Falls Track, in the company of Chen's two older brothers, parents, two grandparents and an aunt, the coroner said. The family were on holiday and were returning to Te Anau after an overnight cruise in Milford Sound. The track - a popular 20-minute, 360-metre walk - had been recommended to the family. At about 11am on 25 January, the group walked to the end of a boardwalk, where a large, smooth outcrop of rocks jutted into Marian Creek, Borrowdale said. Marian Creek was an alpine, very cold, fast-flowing river fed from Lake Marian - "not a 'creek' in the usual use of that term", she said. The three children walked onto the rocks, which were not separated from the boardwalk by any structures. Chen had been squatting by the river's edge when her father saw her try to stand up, slip and fall into the river. As she was carried downstream, she was initially able to hold onto a rock and raise herself up, but was quickly swept off the rock and out of sight, Borrowdale said. Other visitors helped the family to look for Chen and emergency services were called. She was found unresponsive by a logjam about 420 metres downstream. Chen could not be revived, despite bystanders performing CPR as well as a doctor, who was winched in by an emergency helicopter. Tegan Chen Photo: Supplied A pathologist found Chen drowned and had also sustained bruises and abrasions consistent with being tumbled in a rocky river. Borrowdale said the track was on public conservation land managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). The department had "comprehensively investigated all factors within its control that may have been influential in the tragedy", she said. The track was well-maintained at the time of the accident and there was no prior history of serious reported incidents at the site where the boardwalk met the rocky outcrop. However, the department found storm damage in 2020 had subtly changed the track, and washed away some moss and ground cover that "may have been acting as a natural boundary between the walkway and the outcrop". Following the accident, DOC upgraded the track to include a platform that covered the rocks, with barriers on all sides and prominent signage warning of a drowning risk. It also internally reclassified the track to cater for less-experienced walkers and "short stop travellers". Borrowdale said in light of the significant safety improvements at the site, she had no further recommendations. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Conservation land use applications processed faster with help from AI
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says processing applications quicker means businesses get certainty faster. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government is celebrating faster processing of applications for the use of conservation land, including by using AI. In a statement, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said the application backlog had dropped from 1300 last September, to 550 now - with processing times improved by 180 percent. He said AI had been used to help scan documents, and one-off drone permits now took just five working days, compared to the previous "weeks". "We're achieving these results through a data-driven approach and smarter, more efficient systems and processes, including new technology such as AI tools helping to scan statutory documents," he said. "Processing applications quicker means businesses get certainty faster. DOC is enabling a wide range of activities that connect people with nature and support local economies, while more quickly declining proposals where the effects on nature or heritage cannot be avoided, remedied, or mitigated. "Around a third of the applications DOC has processed since February are related to tourism, the country's second-largest export earner, where more than 380 tourism related applications in the last three months were processed, including guiding activities in Fiordland and Heli hunt and fish concessions for helicopter landings in the North Island." Most applications for use of conservation land are for tourism operations, but the Department of Conservation this month also approved Kokiri Lime's application to quarry 1ha of rock needed for critical roading and flood protection infrastructure projects in South Westland. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
