What is a concession?
Find out more about concessions - permission to run an activity, occupy land or build a structure on conservation land.
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What is a concession?
In areas managed by DOC a concession is a term used to describe a permit, licence, easement or lease that allows:
- Commercial activities eg set up and run a retail or tourism business
- Organised non-profit activities eg run a sports event
- Occupation of land and building of structures eg grazing an area, right of way access, building bridges
These activities can be allowed provided conservation values are protected - the right things in the right places.
Concessions are a legal requirement under the provisions of Part 3B of the Conservation Act 1987.
Sheep grazing in Kakahu Scenic
Bush Reserve
If you want to run a commercial or organised activity in any area managed by DOC you need to apply for a concession. Even if you are an overseas tour guide or a tertiary education institution you need a concession.
Free online course: Introduction to Concessions
This online course teaches you about concessions, who needs one and why they are an important part of conservation. It covers types of concession activities, concession processes and DOC's approach to working with business to achieve beneficial outcomes for individuals, communities and conservation.
Get more information and start the course.
Concessions provide for a wide range of recreational activities such as: guiding - including walking, tramping, climbing, hunting, fishing, biking, kayaking and canoeing, ski fields, bungy jumping and caving, to name a few.
Concessions also cover many other activities including: accommodation facilities, water, air or land transport services, commercial education/instruction, services such as shops, tearooms, restaurants and equipment hire, grazing, baches, telecommunication facilities and power lines, commercial filming, beehives, sphagnum moss gathering, gravel extraction and other resource use activities.
DOC manages around 4,500 concessions. View DOC's concession statistics.
Different forms of DOC authorisation are required for mineral exploration, mining, activities involving marine mammals and protected wildlife, and commercial hunting of wild animals.
Sometimes concession opportunities are publicly offered (tendered) by DOC and this is likely to increase in the future as DOC becomes more pro-active in engaging with business. At present most concessions are initiated by an individual or firm approaching DOC and seeking permission to run a particular business.
Primary and secondary schools running their own outdoor programmes for students on public conservation land do not require a concession.
Primary and secondary schools using third party providers for their outdoor programmes do require concessions.
Tertiary (university, polytechnic, other provider) outdoor programmes do require concessions.
- This applies to New Zealand and overseas educational institutions irrespective of their status.
- This applies provided there is a representative of the institution present whilst on public conservation land.
Tertiary research and/or collection activities require a research/collection permit.
Where a concession is required:
- The institution requires an audited safety plan and this is not negotiable.
- Conditions on group sizes and use of hut/camp sites apply.
- The concession fee (but not the processing fee) may be waived provided that there is proof the primary purpose of the trip is academic and forms part of a formal qualification. If the applicant wishes to apply for concession fee waiver then at the time of application they should supply a lesson plan listing objectives, itinerary, how the lessons relate to the specific location and details of the accreditation.
Please contact the DOC office nearest to where you want to carry out your activity to discuss your requirements before you apply.
If you have a concession you are a concessionaire. A concession gives you:
- A legal right to carry out your activity on lands managed by DOC
- A formal relationship between yourself and DOC so that both parties are aware of their obligations
- Security of tenure for the term of your concession provided that you comply with the conditions of your concession.
DOC's primary purpose is to look after New Zealand's natural and historic heritage, but we also want people to visit and enjoy these places. High quality concession operations offer significant benefits to conservation and recreation in New Zealand, including:
- The natural environment is protected and the quality of the recreational experience is maintained
- Concessionaires ensure their clients leave no trace of their visit
- Many concessionaires are involved directly in conservation programmes
- Guides offer a fun safe and interpretative visitor experience of the outdoors which helps visitors to enjoy, understand, love and protect conservation values
- Concessions provide access, amenities and guides that complement DOC facilities
- Many grazing concessions provide weed and fire control benefits
- Extractive concessions provide raw materials for roading and contribute to economic development
- Concession fees go towards the management of all natural and historic resources DOC manages
- Concessions provide jobs and income for many local communities, and contribute to the national economy.
The concession system helps us ensure that the various concession activities are compatible with protecting the conservation resources. It also helps ensure that the services and facilities provided for visitors are appropriate, of a suitable standard, and that their activities do not impinge on other visitors.
Concessions contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals, as well as local communities, the economy, and New Zealand as a whole.
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