3.5 Recreation and outdoor activities
Intermediate outcome 6: New Zealanders have increased opportunities for recreation and outdoor activities
The aim is to provide a range of outdoor opportunities to meet the needs and preferences of New Zealand's various communities, within the Department's capabilities. This includes recognising the particular relationship tangata whenua have with the outdoors and places. Recreation and outdoor activities cover the spectrum, from active participation (such as hunting, walking, tramping, and motorised recreation), to passive enjoyment.
Recreation and other outdoor activities help maintain New Zealanders' mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing. By enabling others to become involved in using and/or providing recreation and outdoor opportunities on public conservation lands and waters, the Department will increase New Zealanders' support for enhanced protection of natural, historic and cultural heritage. This will, in turn, generate greater understanding and appreciation of the social, cultural and economic benefits and value this heritage brings to New Zealanders.
The Department will continue to focus on maintaining a range of recreation and outdoor opportunities that enable diverse experiences on public conservation lands and waters, including coastal marine areas. This includes providing information about recreation and outdoor opportunities.
The Department will work with others to develop and maintain recreation and outdoor opportunities, consistent with its purpose and conservation values. It will share skills and information. To that end:
- Wherever possible, the Department will complement the work of others, such as local government, its neighbours and Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC). The recreational opportunities and services that others provide will be taken into account during the Department's planning so that, collectively, New Zealanders have access to a range of outdoor opportunities that covers the spectrum, from urban to remote settings.
- The Department will continue to work with the Ministry of Tourism, and Sport and Recreation New Zealand to efficiently and effectively implement Government policies for sustainable recreation and tourism.
- The Department will work with the tourism sector to ensure tourism on public conservation lands and waters is sustainable, and continues to make a significant contribution to the economy.
New recreation and outdoor opportunities are being created as part of the tenure review process in the South Island high country.
The Department is opening new camping grounds, encouraging other parties to make camping opportunities available, and increasing the size of existing camping grounds.
The outputs through which the Department works towards the achievement of this intermediate outcome are set out in Figure 1 in section 3.1.
The degree to which the Department's actions are successful will be demonstrated through the following monitoring.
Change over time in New Zealanders' participation in recreation on public conservation land and their satisfaction with the quality and range of recreational opportunities provided
This indicator is tracked by surveying a sample of sites and visitor groups. It was established in 2007-2008. In the previous two years, the equivalent indicator tracked visitor satisfaction with the range of opportunities provided. That measure showed very high and stable levels of satisfaction (95% either 'very' or 'moderately' satisfied with their visit). In response to this, the measure was broadened to also track changes over time in participation levels, and also changes in satisfaction with the quality of opportunities.
The indicator will be reported on in the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2008, and then at two-yearly intervals.
23. The desired future state, and the work priorities and indicators of progress require reassessment for this intermediate outcome. The results of this reassessment will be reflected in the Statement of Intent 2009-2012.
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