Watercraft activities

Introduction

To provide watercraft activities such as kayaking, boat landings or use of DOC wharves you must have a concession from DOC.

Find out what concession you will need and how to apply for one below:

Pre-application meeting

Applying for a concession for the first time can be a little tricky. To ensure your application goes smoothly we offer a free pre-application meeting. We’ll also help you contact the local iwi to assess whether your proposed activity will have any cultural effects.

Type of concession

Depending on what you want to do and when and how you want to do it, you will either need a one-off concession or a longer term concession.

    • One-off concession – for watercraft activities held over a period of no longer than three months.

      As well as complying with all relevant legislation and conservation plans or strategies your planned activity must:
      • have only minor environmental effects that can easily be managed
      • have clearly defined limits (ie number of landings)
      • not involve permanent structures
      • not take place in the same location more than once in any three year period.
  • Longer term concession – for watercraft activities held over a period of longer than three months.

Your DOC advisor will advise you what concession you will need in your pre-application meeting.

Apply for your concession

Delays in processing

We currently have a backlog of applications. We're working hard to prioritise older and urgent applications. If you have any concerns contact permissions@doc.govt.nz.

Follow the relevant process below for your watercraft activity. There are additional applications you will need to make if your activity involves anything outside of watercraft activities, such as land-based guiding or air transport.

One-off activity   

Identify the name and status of the public conservation land you wish to use by checking DOC maps.

We will invoice you once we have processed your application. Your fee is likely to be $130 plus GST ($146.50 including GST).

Your application should be processed within 10 working days of receipt. The timeframe may be longer where iwi consultation is required. If your application is approved we will send you a contract which you must sign and return before proceeding with your activity

You will also be required to pay ongoing concession fees.

Longer term activity

Identify the name and status of the public conservation land you wish to use by checking DOC maps.

We will invoice you once we have processed your application. The processing fee for a standard application is likely to be $2065 plus GST ($2374.75 including GST). If your application is assessed as complex, covers multiple regions, or includes more than 20 individual locations, this fee is likely to be higher. We will send you an estimate of costs once we have received your application.

Your application should be processed within 55 working days of receipt for simple applications. It can be up to 120 working days if a hearing is required.

If your application is approved we will send you a contract which you must sign and return before proceeding with your activity.

You will also be required to pay ongoing concession fees.

Additional applications

If your watercraft activity involves one of the activities below you must also fill in the relevant form for that activity. 

Safety plan

As part of your application you will need a safety plan.

Fees

You will be required to pay ongoing concession and activity fees.

Contact us

For more information or assistance with your concession contact the nearest of these DOC offices.

Back to top