Charging for access to some public conservation land
This regulatory impact statement assesses options relating to how DOC could charge visitors to access conservation land.

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Charging for access to some public conservation land (PDF, 559K)

Summary

With growing visitor numbers and increasing risks to biodiversity, current funding for the Department of Conservation is inadequate to manage the upkeep of public conservation land.

The Government intends to amend the visitor charging powers provided in the Conservation Act 1987, National Parks Act 1980 and Reserves Act 1977, to introduce the ability to charge a levy for access to defined areas of public conservation land with visitor facilities.

The primary objectives of this proposal are to:

  • provide DOC with the tools to charge visitors in a more equitable way, so visitors contribute towards the experiences they enjoy the benefit from
  • improve visitor experiences on PCL, funded from increased visitor revenue.

Options considered included: maintaining the current status quo, introducing voluntary charges, increasing and expanding existing facility charging powers, introducing a new levy power to charge visitors for access, or introducing a new levy power to charge only international visitors.