Latest news with #MilfordOpportunitiesProject
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Government To Protect And Enhance Milford Sound Piopiotahi
Press Release – New Zealand Government The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. Minister of Conservation Hon Louise Upston Minister of Tourism and Hospitality The Government will invest $15.2 million into upgrading infrastructure and enhancing conservation at Milford Sound Piopiotahi to sustainably grow tourism while also protecting the jewel in our conservation crown. The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. 'This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Fiordland attracts more than a million visitors a year and pumps about $200 million into the regional economy, creating jobs and boosting incomes,' Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. 'For Ngāi Tahu, Piopiotahi holds special significance as the final masterpiece of atua and land-shaper Tū Te Rakiwhānoa. 'Visitors accessing the fjord via Milford Road will soon enjoy new and enhanced short stops, including an alpine nature walk in Gertrude Valley. Little Tahiti landfill will also be cleaned up and flood protection at Cleddau River will be improved. 'There will be improved amenities, including much-needed new facilities at Deepwater Basin where we are replacing the recreational boat ramp.' Funding for the improvements will come from the International Visitor Levy ($8.2 million) and the Department of Conservation's capital works programme ($7m). Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said Milford Sound Piopiotahi had a key role to play in helping the country's tourism sector bounce back from the Covid hangover. 'We are supporting the local economy and providing certainty for operators by enabling cruise ships and aircraft to continue to access the fjord, rejecting a previous proposal to ban this. 'We know Milford Sound Piopiotahi, Mitre Peak Rahotū, the bush, the sea and the wildlife play an integral part in capturing the hearts and minds of millions of tourists dreaming of a visit to this wilderness area.' Mr Potaka said the next tranche of work would involve the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai engaging with Ngāi Tahu, and stakeholders such as local government and the tourism industry on further initiatives. 'These include collaborating on investment opportunities along Milford corridor, developing a multi-year investment plan for the area, and considering improved planning tools, such as a Special Amenities Area within Fiordland National Park.' Note:
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
TIA Welcomes Milford Opportunities Project Investment And Direction
Press Release – Tourism Industry Association TIA has supported the Milford Opportunities Project and been an active participant in the process, advocating on behalf of and providing opportunities for its members to take part in each consultation phase. Tourism Industry Aotearoa's Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram, says that today's announcement on the future of the Milford Opportunities Project will be a relief for many, providing long-awaited direction for the industry and the region. In a joint announcement, Minister of Conservation, Hon Potaka, and Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Hon Upston, outlined an investment of $15.2 million to upgrade infrastructure and enhance conservation at Milford Sound Piopiotahi to sustainably grow tourism while protecting the local region and its important conservation. 'Today's announcement addresses long standing uncertainty for the industry, especially for the aviation community and cruise industry and provides direction for those wishing to invest in the region,' says Ms Rebecca Ingram. 'There are a lot of things that the industry can agree on when it comes to Milford and improving the experience and safety are two of them. We have been strong advocates for a well-managed experience that is great for visitors, community, business and for the environment.' Ms Ingram said that since the project commenced in 2017, some contentious matters have needed to be considered, and the project has gone through numerous iterations. 'We look forward to working with the Department of Conservation as the proposal goes from plan into action. Over the coming days we will fully review the details and will promptly get in touch with our members to understand their views.' TIA has supported the Milford Opportunities Project and been an active participant in the process, advocating on behalf of and providing opportunities for its members to take part in each consultation phase. Ms Ingram says that this is another example of the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality making positive shifts and giving the industry momentum. 'The International Visitor Survey data released yesterday, reinforces the significant contribution tourism makes to New Zealand's economy, with spend up 9.2% to $12.2 billion for the year ending March 2025. 'The announcement is a positive step forward for the Milford region, supporting both enhancement and protection of the iconic landscape while also providing direction that will help attract investment to boost the local economy.' Government to protect and enhance Milford Sound Piopiotahi.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Government To Protect And Enhance Milford Sound Piopiotahi
Press Release – New Zealand Government The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. Minister of Conservation Hon Louise Upston Minister of Tourism and Hospitality The Government will invest $15.2 million into upgrading infrastructure and enhancing conservation at Milford Sound Piopiotahi to sustainably grow tourism while also protecting the jewel in our conservation crown. The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. 'This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Fiordland attracts more than a million visitors a year and pumps about $200 million into the regional economy, creating jobs and boosting incomes,' Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. 'For Ngāi Tahu, Piopiotahi holds special significance as the final masterpiece of atua and land-shaper Tū Te Rakiwhānoa. 'Visitors accessing the fjord via Milford Road will soon enjoy new and enhanced short stops, including an alpine nature walk in Gertrude Valley. Little Tahiti landfill will also be cleaned up and flood protection at Cleddau River will be improved. 'There will be improved amenities, including much-needed new facilities at Deepwater Basin where we are replacing the recreational boat ramp.' Funding for the improvements will come from the International Visitor Levy ($8.2 million) and the Department of Conservation's capital works programme ($7m). Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said Milford Sound Piopiotahi had a key role to play in helping the country's tourism sector bounce back from the Covid hangover. 'We are supporting the local economy and providing certainty for operators by enabling cruise ships and aircraft to continue to access the fjord, rejecting a previous proposal to ban this. 'We know Milford Sound Piopiotahi, Mitre Peak Rahotū, the bush, the sea and the wildlife play an integral part in capturing the hearts and minds of millions of tourists dreaming of a visit to this wilderness area.' Mr Potaka said the next tranche of work would involve the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai engaging with Ngāi Tahu, and stakeholders such as local government and the tourism industry on further initiatives. 'These include collaborating on investment opportunities along Milford corridor, developing a multi-year investment plan for the area, and considering improved planning tools, such as a Special Amenities Area within Fiordland National Park.' Note:
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Govt rejects plan to ban cruise ships from Milford Sound
The government has rejected a vision to ban cruise ships from Milford Sound and close its airstrip while announcing $15.2 million for infrastructure upgrades and conservation projects. In 2021, a master plan for the destination was unveiled, making a raft of recommendations including not allowing cruise ships in the inner sound and closing the airstrip, before undergoing feasibility testing. The reasoning given at the time was the airstrip was in a poor state, exposed to flooding and tsunami risks, expensive to rebuild to a modern standard and only carried about three percent of visitors while the visual impact and risk of cruise ships conflicted with the majority of land-based visitors. Last year, the Milford Opportunities Project reported to ministers on the feasibility of the masterplan, which also included recommendations to create a park and ride system to reduce congestion, and charge overseas visitors a fee. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said Piopiotahi played a key role in helping the country's tourism sector to bounce back. "We are supporting the local economy and providing certainty for operators by enabling cruise ships and aircraft to continue to access the fjord, rejecting a previous proposal to ban this," she said. While documents released by the Department of Conservation suggested local sentiments towards banning cruise were positive, the airstrip removal prompted a backlash from tourism operators who said it could discourage visitors and impact livelihoods. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced the government would invest $15.2 million in the region as part of the first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project with aims to sustainably grow tourism while protecting the taonga. "This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Fiordland attracts more than a million visitors a year and pumps about $200 million into the regional economy, creating jobs and boosting incomes," he said. The funding would go towards new and enhanced short stops, including an alpine nature walk in Gertrude Valley, improving flood protection at Cleddau River, cleaning up Little Tahiti landfill - which [ received government funding last year], and much-needed new facilities at Deepwater Basin. The funding would come from the International Visitor Levy and about $7m from the Department of Conservation's capital works programme. "For Ngāi Tahu, Piopiotahi holds special significance as the final masterpiece of atua and land-shaper Tū Te Rakiwhānoa," he said. The next steps were for the Department of Conservation to engage with other stakeholders including Ngāi Tahu on further initiatives. "These include collaborating on investment opportunities along Milford corridor, developing a multi-year investment plan for the area, and considering improved planning tools, such as a Special Amenities Area within Fiordland National Park," Potaka said.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Government To Protect And Enhance Milford Sound Piopiotahi
Press Release – New Zealand Government The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. Minister of Conservation Hon Louise Upston Minister of Tourism and Hospitality The Government will invest $15.2 million into upgrading infrastructure and enhancing conservation at Milford Sound Piopiotahi to sustainably grow tourism while also protecting the jewel in our conservation crown. The first tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project, announced today, also provide certainty to operators by confirming that cruise ships will continue to access the fjord, and Milford Aerodrome will be retained. 'This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Fiordland attracts more than a million visitors a year and pumps about $200 million into the regional economy, creating jobs and boosting incomes,' Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. 'For Ngāi Tahu, Piopiotahi holds special significance as the final masterpiece of atua and land-shaper Tū Te Rakiwhānoa. 'Visitors accessing the fjord via Milford Road will soon enjoy new and enhanced short stops, including an alpine nature walk in Gertrude Valley. Little Tahiti landfill will also be cleaned up and flood protection at Cleddau River will be improved. 'There will be improved amenities, including much-needed new facilities at Deepwater Basin where we are replacing the recreational boat ramp.' Funding for the improvements will come from the International Visitor Levy ($8.2 million) and the Department of Conservation's capital works programme ($7m). Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said Milford Sound Piopiotahi had a key role to play in helping the country's tourism sector bounce back from the Covid hangover. 'We are supporting the local economy and providing certainty for operators by enabling cruise ships and aircraft to continue to access the fjord, rejecting a previous proposal to ban this. 'We know Milford Sound Piopiotahi, Mitre Peak Rahotū, the bush, the sea and the wildlife play an integral part in capturing the hearts and minds of millions of tourists dreaming of a visit to this wilderness area.' Mr Potaka said the next tranche of work would involve the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai engaging with Ngāi Tahu, and stakeholders such as local government and the tourism industry on further initiatives. 'These include collaborating on investment opportunities along Milford corridor, developing a multi-year investment plan for the area, and considering improved planning tools, such as a Special Amenities Area within Fiordland National Park.' Note:
