Latest news with #Routeburn
RNZ News
02-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'Wave' of Conservation Act concessions, foreign visitor charge for high-volume DOC sites
The announcement was made at the National Party annual conference. Photo: Samuel Rillstone / RNZ The government plans to make it easier to get a concession to operate on Conservation land and will bring in a foreign visitor charge at some popular tourist spots. "First, we're going to fix the Conservation Act to unleash a fresh wave of concessions - like tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure, in locations where that makes sense," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said. Luxon said the current concessions regime "is totally broken" and could take years for a business to obtain or renew. "Many New Zealanders already run outstanding businesses on the conservation estate - from guided walks and ski fields, to filming documentaries, grazing sheep and cattle, or hosting concerts and building cell phone towers. "Outdated rules mean we've got examples of modern E-bike users being turned away from potential touring opportunities because they have to be considered as proper vehicles. "And tourism on the Routeburn is being held up because the trail crosses artificial boundaries, with different rules and different limits." Luxon also announced the government will introduce a charge for foreign visitors to access high volume sites. Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki Mount Cook will be the locations initially looked at, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said. He said this is where foreigners often make up 80 percent of all visitors. "It's only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution of between $20 and $40 per person." New Zealanders will not be charged. Tama Potaka says initially, four sites will have charges for foreign visitors. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Prime Minister has addressed National members at the annual party conference, capping off a week in which MPs attempted to steer public minds back toward the government's cost-of-living policies. When asked earlier this week what his message to party faithful would be, [Luxon said the nation was " turning the corner]". "This country's got great potential and a great future ahead of it, and we've just got to keep working at it." National's deputy leader Nicola Willis said the conference would be focused on the steps the government was taking to make the country "an easier, better place to do business, to hire people, to create well paying jobs". Party ministers will hold panels on health, education, law and order, agriculture, and the economy and cost of living as part of the annual event. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- NZ Herald
NZ Great Walks bookings - all you need to know
In previous years, the Great Walks booking website has crashed due to the high volume of traffic when bookings open. To help address concerns, DoC has upgraded its booking system, which launches on May 15. 'We've introduced a new industry-leading lobby system, similar to those used by concert-booking companies, so customers have a smoother experience, and we can better manage the very high demand when bookings first open,' says DoC heritage and visitor director Catherine Wilson. Wilson adds that the reshuffling of dates in the booking schedule will also help those who plan to make several reservations secure their desired spots. It pays to check the website often if initially unsuccessful, as cancellations and unwanted bookings get re-released into the pool. 'Many times, groups will all go on when bookings open to secure their spots, to increase their chances. These spots are held for 20 minutes and then released back into the pool,' a user on the subreddit r/newzealand observed. Another Redditor suggested booking for a less common date, writing, 'Go on the shoulder season, or go on less popular walks'. DoC suggests remaining hopeful and persistent, even if the popular walks get booked out on the first day. 'While the most popular Great Walks such as Milford and Routeburn book out very fast on the day, there are often cancellations, so it's worth keeping an eye on the booking website,' says Wilson. 'Other experiences, such as Abel Tasman and Heaphy, have more capacity and don't generally book out on opening day.' This year, the Tongariro Northern Circuit will be the only Great Walk unavailable for booking while plans are assessed to replace the Oturere Hut, the Department of Conservation revealed. It was initially set to open on May 22. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing day walk remains open, with bookings not essential. James Morgan, a hiker and developer based in Auckland, compiled three years of cancellation data to identify when is best to book. 'There are clear trends as to how and when people are re-releasing their spots back in the system that can be used to better someone's chances in securing a spot,' wrote Morgan in his analysis. 'The obvious one is to have more flexible travel plans and be open to doing the hikes during the fringe seasons. However, if that is not an option, hikers can prepare themselves by knowing that from two months out from their intended booking date, there is an increased chance that someone will release a spot.' In May 2024, DoC was forced to reboot its booking system after a huge influx in traffic on the first day bookings opened for the year. The same thing happened in 2023. A large portion of the 2024 traffic was from overseas, with international demand up 47% from 2023 figures. Opening dates for Great Walk accommodation bookings (for stays from July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) 9.30am NZST May 15 – Heaphy Track, Kepler Track, Rakiura Track, Hump Ridge May 22 – Whanganui Journey, Routeburn Track May 27 – Lake Waikaremoana Track, Abel Tasman Coast Track, Paparoa Track May 28 – Milford Track Opening dates for all other accommodation bookings (for stays from July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) 9.30am NZST May 13 – Backcountry huts, lodges, sole occupancy facilities May 20 – Conservation campsites, except Tōtaranui, Momorangi, Anaura Bay campsites May 21 – Momorangi campsite, Anaura Bay campsite June 4 – Tōtaranui campsite
